Walker V. Personius was born around 1836 in Caroline, New York, to William and Almira Personius. His father was a farmer who owned $4,380 of real estate and $900 of personal property by 1860. He grew up and attended school in Caroline. He married a woman named Ella around 1856, and their daughter Julia was born around 1859. They lived in Catlin, New York, and Personius worked as a farmer. By 1860, he owned $1,800 of real estate and $1,300 of personal property.
In August 1861, he received a commission as a captain in Company G of the 50th New York Engineers. The regiment took part in the Seven Days’ Battles, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, and the siege of Petersburg. In February 1863, he wrote that “this war is a terrible thing to keep husbands from their wives and parents brothers and sisters who are sick at home.” The “horrors of war,” he added,” are nothing in comparison with the separation of loved ones.” He mustered out on September 20, 1864.
He settled in Caroline after the war and earned a living as a dry goods merchant. By 1870, he owned $2,000 of real estate and $8,000 of personal property. He employed at least one white servant. He applied for a federal pension in June 1880 and eventually secured one. In 1883, he received an appointment as a local postmaster. He was an active member of Caroline society, serving as secretary of the Tompkins County Cooperative Fire Insurance Company and serving on the Board of Trustees of the Brookton Congregational Church.
By 1890, he was dealing with a “disease of stomach.” His wife died in 1909. By 1910, he was living in his daughter Ellen’s household in Caroline. He died in Caroline on September 24, 1914.