Wilson.] 322 (Dec. 21, 
Biographical Notice of Thomas Ustick Walter, A.W, Ph.D., LL.D., 
Late Member of the American Philosophical Society. 
By Joseph M. Wilson, A.M, C.H. 
(Read before the American Philosophical Soctety, December 21, 1888.) 
In the year 1749, an orphan boy, owning nothing but the clothes on his 
back, friendless and alone, was put up at auction in this city of Philadel- 
phia, and sold as a German redemptioner. 
This boy was Frederick Jacob Walter, the grandfather of Thomas Ustick 
Walter, the subject of this memoir. 
Emigrating from Germany with his parents, both of whom died at sea 
with the plague, leaving no information whatever behind them, the poor 
lad literally commenced life anew. Passing his youth as a servant in the 
old Carpenter mansion, on Chestnut street, above Sixth, where afterwards 
stood the Philadelphia Arcade (now replaced by other buildings), when 
he became free, he took up the trade of bricklaying, and, at a later date, 
as master bricklayer, was associated in partnership with Frederick Graff, 
grandfather of a prominent and well-known civil engineer of this city— 
the present Frederick Graft. 
He was twice married, Joseph Saunders Walter, one of his sons by his 
second wife, born May 15, 1782, on Fifth street, below Arch, being the 
father of Thomas Ustick Walter. 
This son early showed a disposition in favor of the arts of construction, 
and not inclining toward the business of a tobacconist, to which he had 
been apprenticed, he followed his father in the trade of bricklaying, as 
goon as he was at liberty to do so, adding to it that of stone masonry, and 
earning for himself a solid reputation in this city, where he carried on 
building operations with success for more than forty years, and where he 
wags connected with much prominent work. He was associated, under a 
special partnership, with Daniel Groves, in the construction of the United 
States Bank; now the Custom House. The Philadelphia Exchange was 
also built by him. 
He was a popular and esteemed citizen, an attractive and fluent speaker, 
and occupied several offices of public trust with honor. He was an ardent 
and devoted Christian, a member of the Baptist Church, on Second street, 
below Arch, and a deacon for many years. 
Thomas Ustick Walter, the eldest of seven children, was born in 
Philadelphia, September 4, 1804, and was named after the Rev. Thomas 
Ustick, the former pastor of his parents. He received a liberal, although 
nota collegiate, education, and, asa boy, developed a great fondness for 
mathematics; at the same time showing a marked talent for drawing, 
with an inclination toward the profession of architecture and building 
construction. 
At the age of fifteen, his scholastic studies were suspended, and he en- 
