Joseph Wald is the son of John Waldt and Melvina Sweitzer.
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WALD/WALDT FAMILY NAME
In the German language, when the letter 'd' appears at the end of a word, and is pronounced as a "t". Therefore, the surname WALD was sometimes spelled as WALT. Other variations in spelling include WALTZ and WALDT. Sometimes the different spellings were used interchangeably in records.

Joseph's father, John, moved from Lancaster, Ohio to Indiana and then settled in St. Louis, Missouri. By the 1900 U.S. Census, his father used the WALDT spelling as his surname.
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Joseph is 1 of 7 known children of John and Melvina Waldt. His siblings are:
• Andrew Waldt (1852–1924)
• Mary Frances "Fannie" Waldt Kentnor (1858–1944)
• Bridget "Biddy" Waldt (1859- ? )
• Elizabeth "Lizzie" Waldt (1862- ? )
• John Waldt (1865–1947)
• Edward Waldt (1867–1914)
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Per the 1860 U.S. Census, Joseph Wald resided in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio with his parents. Listed are:
-John Waltz, age 33, born Germany
-Melvina Waltz, age 31, born Ohio
-Andrew Waltz, age 8 , born Ohio
-Joseph Waltz, age 5, born Ohio
-Mary F Waltz, age 4, born Ohio
-Bridgget Waltz, age 1, born Ohio
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Per the 1870 U.S. Census, Joseph Wald resided in Terre Haute Ward 2, Vigo County, Indiana with his parents. Listed are:
-William Walt, age 47, born Baden
-Melvina Walt, age 40, born Baden
-Andrew Walt, age 18, born Ohio
-Joseph Walt, age 16, born Ohio
-Fanny Walt, age 14, born Ohio
-Biddy Walt, age 11, born Ohio
-Lizzie Walt, age 7, born Ohio
-John Walt, age 5, born Ohio
-Edward Walt, age 2, born Indiana
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Per the 1880 U.S. Census, Joseph Wald resided in Saint Louis, Missouri with his parents on 14h Street. Listed are:
-John Wald, age 53 , born Germany
-Melvine F Wald, age 48, born Pennsylvania
-Andrew Wald, age 26, born Ohio
-Joseph Wald, age 24, born Ohio
-Fannie Wald, age 22, born Ohio
-Lizzie Wald, age 18, born Ohio
-John Wald, age 16, born Ohio
-Edward Wald, age 12, born Indiana
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In 1884, Joseph married Mollie Louisa Adams, the daughter of William Henry Adams, Sr. and Sophia Robb

Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940
-Groom: Joseph Wald
-Age: 30
-Father: John Wald
-Mother: Melvine Switzer

-Bride: Mollie Louisa Adams
-Age: 26
-Father: William Henry Adams
-Mother: Sophia Robb
-Marriage Date: 17 Mar 1884
-Marriage Place: Jersey, Illinois
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Per the 1900 U.S. Census, Louisa and Joseph Wald resided in Alton Ward 5, Madison County, Illinois on 517 E. Ninth Street. Listed are:
-Joseph Wald, age 45, born Sep 1854 Indiana
-Louisa Wald, age 40, born Mar 1860 Illinois
-Hazel M Wald, age 13, born Jul 1886 Illinois, Daughter
-Sophia Adams, age 70, born Mar 1830 Germany, Mother in Law, Widow

In 1900, Louise and Joseph are listed as married 17 years. Louise is listed with 1 child born and 1 child living.
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Per the 1910 U.S. Census, Louisa and Joseph Wald resided in Alton Ward 7, Madison County, Illinois. Listed are:
-Joseph Wald, age 54, born Ohio
-Lousia [sic] Wald, age 50, born Illinois
-Hazel Mcpherson, age 23, born Illinois, Daughter
-E Ross Mcpherson, age 23, born Illinois, Son-in-law
-Allen R Mcpherson, age 1/12, born Illinois, Grandson

In 1910, Joseph and Louisa are listed as married for 26 years. Louisa is listed with 1 child born and 1 child living.
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OBITUARY
Alton Evening Telegraph, Alton, Illinois, Thursday, 19 Oct 1922, Page 1

JOSEPH WALD, GLASSBLOWER, PASSES AWAY
Last Five Years of His Life Was in Darkness, Due to Blindness Which Came While He Worked

After five years of his life being spent in darkness, and an invalid for a long time, Joseph Wald, for 45 years an employee of the Illinois Glass Co., died this morning at 1:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. Ross McPherson, 1127 Central Ave.

The death of Mr. Wald had been expected for a year. He had been a sufferer from a dropsical condition and he had been bedfast practically all the time. Five years ago while he was working for the Illinois Glass Company he was suddenly struck with blindness. The cause of the loss of sight was never completely established. He had been a faithful worker for his employers. For many years he was a glassblower and after glassblowers were dispensed with, Mr. Wald had another position at the glass works until he lost his sight and was unable to work any longer.

He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, and came here when a boy. He was 67 years of age.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Louise Wald, and two children, John Wald and Mrs. E. Ross McPherson. He leaves also two brothers, John and Andrew of St. Louis and one sister, Mrs. Henry Kentnor of Chicago.

The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the home of Mrs. McPherson, and services will bo conducted by Rev. Mr. Niebrugge, pastor of the Twelfth street Presbyterian church. Burial will be in City cemetery.