The Early Oregonians Database and his Donation Land Claim record states Walter Freeman was born in 1801 in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Thus, Walter's age at death was probably 82 years, rather than the 92 years written on his gravestone. He was a son of George Freeman and Mary Ballard. Several censuses show him as being born in New York State, so perhaps he was actually born there and moved to Pennsylvania when young.

His first wife was Susannah (Susan) Miller. Their eldest daughter, Julia Ann (Juliann), was born in Ohio in 1824. By 1830 the family had moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Between 1833-1837 three more children, Robert, Johnston and Clark were born to them in Indiana. The family moved to Cedar County, Iowa Territory in about 1837 where Walter built and operated a grist mill on Sugar Creek. Walter's wife Susannah died there in about 1840. On April 15, 1841 he married Mary Ann Willford at Cedar County. A daughter, Louisa Adelaide was born February 11, 1842 and Mary Ann died eight months later in October 1842 according to her daughter Louisa Adelaide's obituary. Louisa was then raised by her maternal grandparents

Walter married third, widow Rachel Flaharty Kizer, on 5 April 1843 at Cedar County. According to the Early Oregonians Database, Rachel's parents were Nicholas Flaharty and Eleanor Israel. She had previously been married to Henry Kizer. Walter and Rachel had the following children at Cedar County prior to 1851: Nancy Ellen, Thomas H. Benton, John A., William and possibly Lewis Freeman (Early Oregonians Database). However Lewis' birth date (1840) isn't very reliable and/or he could have been the son of one of Walter's previous wives.

In May of 1852 the family joined a group of 13 wagons in Tipton, Iowa and set out for Oregon (minus eldest daughters Martha Jane, Julia Ann and Louise Adelaide and son John who had died in infancy in 1850). The remaining 8 Freeman children, aged 20 to 1 year old also came. They were: George W, (20) Lewis (12), Robert (19) Johnston (19), Clark (15) Nancy Ellen (6) Thomas Benton (4) and William A. (1). They arrived on October 20, 1852, and spent the first winter in St. Helens, Oregon Territory.

In the spring of 1853 they settled a homestead near Glencoe, Washington County, Oregon Territory, where they remained. Additional children Nicholas A., Mary Malissa, Walter Pomeroy and Elmira (Elma) Freeman were born between 1854 and 1859.

Walter died in 1883. His wife, Rachel, died in 1891 and is buried in this cemetery according to an item in the Forest Grove Times. Their donation land claim is located about 2 miles from this cemetery.

From contributor JEdwards 47249869:
Additional details on Walter's 14 children: There is some uncertainty regarding the birth years of several of his children. Records appear to be approximations for Johnston, Robert and Martha Jane whose birth years are all shown as 1833 in various records. Lewis' birth year (circa 1840) is also uncertain: his mother may have been Susan, Mary Ann or Rachel; however the Early Oregonians Database states that Rachel was his mother. Five children of Walter and his first wife Susannah can be identified: Julia Ann, Johnston, Robert, Martha Jane, and Clark (and possibly Lewis). With his second wife, Mary Ann Willford, daughter Louisa Adelaide was born. With his third wife Rachel the following children are identified: Lewis (possibly) Nancy Ellen, Thomas H. Benton, John A., William, Mary Malissa, Nicholas A., Walter Pomeroy and Elma (Elmira).