From - Settlement and Progress of Stark County, Illinois by M. A. Leeson 1877

... born in Wissembourgh, Alsace, France on March 19, 1823. he is the son of John Adam and Catherine Sumpman Walther. Joseph learned cabinet making in France and at the age of 25 [about 1848] came to America. He remained in New York City for a short time and then relocated to the western part of the state of New York where he learned the habits and customs of Americans and gained further knowledge of the cabinet makers business. In 1852-53 he moved to Ohio and in 1854 he came to Toulon, Illinois where he embarked in business for himself. He married in Toulon, Miss Ella Johnson, the daughter of P.P. Johnson. They are the parents of two sons Ernest and Joseph. Mr. Walther supports the Christian Church, of which his wife is a member. Since coming here he has applied himself strictly to his own business, and has by strict economy, accumulated a competence and by industry and integrity built up a good trade.

From the Stark County News, Oct. 25, 1872 TOULON
A Pen and Ink Sketch of the Town and Surroundings
THE UNDEVELOPED WEALTH OF STARK COUNTY FACTS AND FANCIES RELATIVE TO TOULON AND ITS BUSINESS MEN

JOSEPH WALTHER
Is the pioneer in the furniture business in Toulon. Mr. Walther came here 18 years ago from Ohio and established a small cabinet shop. He was not overburdened with cash capital but he had confidence in himself, and he fought it out on this line, and, to his credit be it said, in a successful manner. Business has grown very much since 18 years ago, and he now occupies two buildings, one as a repository for upholstered work and fine setts, the other for more common stock, coffins and shop room. His undertaking business is also large. He manufactures a general line of bureaus, tables, sofas, secretaries, coffins, &c., and will execute any order. Until within the last few years Mr. Walther worked at the bench most of the time; now he takes things a little easier, and finds his time occupied with a general supervision of the business. He has done well and no one can envy him.

1850 U.S. Census • New York • Genesee • Batavia 
| page 242 | July 31 1850 
524 552 Charles T Baxter??? 44 Male Cabinet maker 1700 
Rebecca C 44 F NY 
Charles H 13 M NY 
Marietta 11 F NY 
Francis B 9 F NY 
Harriett 9 F NY 
Emily 5 F NY 
Joseph Walder 22 M Cabinet maker France 
Mary C Reisler??? 21 F Germany 
William Baker 18 M Cabinet Maker NY

1860 U.S. Census • Illinois • Stark • Unknown Townships |873|
703 695 Benj. A Neall 52 M Tavern keeper 
Eliza. A wife 52 
Arula Douglas F 72 
Henry Burse 61 M 
Theodore Bacmeister 30 M Physician Germany 
Theodore Gorman 24 M Clerk NY 
Joseph Walthers 34 M Cabinetmaking Germany 
George Hutchins 19 M England 
Samuel Scranton 22 M Farmer NY 
William Cross 23 M Painter Ireland 
Helen Hoag 18 F School teaching Ohio 
Elijah A Mentooth 19 M Farmer Penn 
Isabella Westfall 17 F Illinois

1870 U.S. Census • Illinois • Stark • Toulon
103 103 Walthers, Joseph 46 M W Cabinet Maker 3000 2000 France Married in April of that year
Ella 21 F W Keeping House Ohio

1880 U.S. Census • Illinois • Stark • Toulon
240 247 Walthers Jos W M 57 Furniture Dealer France
Ella W F 31 Ohio
Earnest W M 6 Son Illinois

Joseph Walthers Obituary
Stark County News - Friday April 21, 1899
Joseph Walther
Walther - Died at his home in Toulon, Illinois, Sunday, April 16, 1899, Joseph Walther, aged 76 years.
Joseph Walther was born in Wissenbourg, Alsace, France, March 19, 1823. At the age of 25 years he came to the United States, landing in New York city, where he remained for a short time, and then located in the western part of the state, where he followed the trade of a cabinet maker and busied himself in learning the manners and customs of the American people. In 1852 he moved to the state of Ohio, and in 1854 he came to Toulon, Illinois, where he established himself in business, and where he remained until removed by death on Sunday the 16th inst.

On April 7, 1870, Mr. Walther was united in marriage to Miss Ella Johnson, daughter of P. P. Johnson. To this union was born four children, two of whom died in infancy, and two, Ernest P. and Josie C., survive the father's death. The career of Mr. Walther as a business man in this village extends over a long term of years, and the time was, doubtless, when he was known to almost every body in Stark county. For some time in the immediate past, on account of advancing age and infirmary he had given up the active concerns of life, and seemingly had permitted the great world of affairs to pass him by.

His face and form, like that of many another, will be missed from the scenes he has so long frequented, and there will be another occupant of the silent city whose white sentinels keep watch and ward over the sleepers that lie below. Life's fitful fever, with its hopes and fears, its aspirations and ambitions all passed, the grave has but claimed its own.
The funeral was conducted from the home of the deceased on Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, a.m., Rev. L. F. Cullom of the M.E. church having charge of the services.