The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-06-17
WALTER DEXTER
CALLEDBY DEATH
Pioneer Member Of the As
sembIy and Sheriff Died
at Home Today.
BORN IN THIS COUNTY

The Hon. Walter L. Dexter, aged
~ years, one time representative of
Kenosha county in the lower house Of
the Wisconsin legislature and for two
terms sheriff of Kenosha county, died
at his home at Dexter's Corners, at
eight o'clock this morning. Mr.. Dex-
Ter had been Il failing neassa III ner
than year and death came as a result
of a natural breaking down due to
advanced years. He was one of the
Oldest Of the residents of the county
and had the distinction of spending
his entire life within the confines Of
Kenosha county. He went to his rest
filled with years Of good work and
for years he had been one of the most
highly respected men Of the county.
He had given much of his life to the
public service and had been a leader
Fin the county and in the town Of
Pleasant Prairie for more than half
Ia century.
He was one Of the leaders of the
Democratic party in Wisconsin and
had often had his part in the high
councils Of the party.
Born in Kenosha County.
Mr.. Dexter was son of the late
John Jackson Dexter, one of the first
settlers of this section Of the country.
He was descendant of one Of the
famous old revolutionary families of
the nation and the Dexter family is
known as one of the oldest families
in the nation. The father of Mr.. Dex-
ter came to Kenosha county in 1887
and Walter L. Dexter was born on the
farm where his death occurred this
morning, on December 10, 1912. He
was educated in the old school at Dex-
ter's Corners and later attended the
Kenosha High school, being one of the
Oldest living members of the Kenosha
High School Association. He gave his
entire life to the development of his
big farms in the town Of Pleasant
Prairie and with the exception Of
the years he was in the public service
he resided on the farm.
To Assembly in ss77."
In his young manhood Mr. Dexter
became a leader of the Democracy in
Kenosha county and in 1877 he was
elected to represent the county in the
Assembly at Madison. He made SPLEEN
did record in office. Two years later
he was elected as sheriff of Kenosha
county and he was again returned to
this Office in 1882. For many years
he served as town officer in the town
of Pleasant Prairie and he took a
great interest in the development Of
the town Mr.. Dexter was greatly in
terested in the development of agricul-
ture and he showed this interest by
membership in many organization
which had for their purpose the adj
vancement of better farming and bet
ter stock breeding.
His home life was delightful and the
Dexter home has for years been noted
for it's hospitality Mr.. Dexter was
married on June 5, 1860 to Miss Cath
crime Johnson, who died on October
2, 1899. Mr.. Dexter is survived by
three daughters, Mrs. G. E. Dewey of
Kenosha, and the Misses Jennie and
Flora Dexter, Of Pleasant Prairie,
and by two sons, Charles Jackson
Dexter and Walter S. Dexter.
Member of Many Organizations.
Jar. Dexte- was one of the most de-
llightful of the old pioneers of the
county and he was member of many
organizations. He was one of the
founders of the Kenosha County Old
Settlers club, one of the oldest mem
bers of the Kenosha chapter of the
Sons of the American Revolution and
one of the oldest members of the
Kenosha Lodge of Masons. He was
also member of the Modern Wood
men Of America.
Many of the pioneers of the city paid
tribute to his life and work today.