Immigrated from England to Minnesota in 1871 with his brother Alfred. Left his wife behind in Dover to give birth to their child, Alfred John. Walter and Alfred worked for several months for the Northern Pacific Railroad in St. Paul, MN and in the Spring of 1872, took adjoining homesteads in Waterbury Township, Redwood County, MN, being the 1st of three settlers in Waterbury Township and built a communal house that straddled the property line of both quarter sections. In 1882 they moved to Walnut Grove and opened a general merchandise store. They also operated a creamery and egg business.