End of the line for Joseph

In my previous post, Joseph Halter was back in New Orleans in 1915, nearly 74 years old, having left behind his second family in Warrick County, Indiana. Three years later, Joseph was working as a bartender on East Barth Street in New Orleans. He likely saw many Mardi Gras in his time in New Orleans.

Source: NYPL Digital Gallery. Mardi Gras, New Orleans.

1918 City Directory, New Orleans

Joseph appears in the 1920 US Census in Anna, Union County, Illinois. This marked an unfortunate last few years for him, as he is listed as an inmate at the Anna State Hospital for the Insane.

Anna State Hospital.

Joseph Halter died on Christmas, 1924 in Anna, Illinois. From his death record, he had been living in Golconda, Pope County, Illinois, prior to being committed at Anna State Hospital. Joseph's brother, Antoine Francois Halter, had been living in Golconda for many years. Joseph likely went there to be with his brother's family after his death in January 1918.

While it is tough to see how Joseph's story ends, it helps to remember the adventure filled life, spent so much in New Orleans, on the Mississippi and up the Ohio River.

From here I am going to turn to Joseph's parents, Francois and Mary Weitmann Halter, and to Joseph's siblings. There is more in this generation of the Halter family to cover in subsequent posts.