Walter Lauffer was a photographer, filmmaker and outdoorsmen. He was born in Pennsylvania in approximately 1887. He is listed in both the 1920 and 1930 census as living with his wife Millie and three children, Carl, Dorthea "Dolly" and Anna, in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. In the 1930 census photographer was recorded as his profession. For a period of time he ran his own photography studio, the Lauffer Studio, located in Cardington and Mt. Gilead. In 1931 Lauffer began working as a photographer and cameraman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation. Lauffer was a member of multiple conservation and recreation oriented organizations, including the Buckeye Trail Association; Carling Conservation Club; Central Ohio Hunter and Angler Club; Coon Dog, Catfish and Hush Puppy Club; League of Ohio Sportsmen; National Rifle Association and the Ohio Game Protectors Association. His civic activities included serving as the secretary for the Democratic Central Executive Committee of Morrow County, ca. 1930-1931 and as an Air Raid Warden for the Columbus Council of Defense. In 1970 he was given a Distinguished Achievement Award for his work to support nature conservation in Ohio. He passed away in 1974.
From the guide to the Walter Lauffer Collection, 1850-1970, (Ohio Historical Society)
