Walter J. Houser of Mondovi, Buffalo County, chief clerk of the senate, was born May 6, 1855, at Tidioute, Pennsylvania, and came to Wisconsin in 1865. He received a common school and academic education. He first settled in Pierce county where he resided until 1870, when he removed to Pepin county, where he remained until 1874, when he returned to Pierce county for a short time. He then resided in Mondovi in 1875. He was editor of the Mondovi Herald. Was justice of the peace, municipal judge for five years, and mayor. At the session of the legislature of 1895, he was chosen chief clerk of the senate, having been nominated by acclamation in the republican caucus; he was re-elected chief clerk in 1897, receiving 30 of the 31 votes cast.