A Bowater S. Walter served in the Civil War, probably same person.

1860 Census, Maquon Twp., Knox Co., IL, p. 180
Walter, Bowater, 27, farmer, real estate value $1000, personal estate value $500, b. OH
Eliza, 23, b. IL
Martha A., 5, b. IL
no name, male, 3, b. IL
no name, male, 1, b. IL

1870 Census, Maquon Twp., Knox Co., IL
Walter, Bowater, 39, farmer, personal estate value $600, b. OH
Eliza, 35, keeping house, b. IL
Martha A., 15, at school, b. IL
Wickliff, 10, male, at school, b. IL
Mary J., 9, at school, b. IL
William M., 6, b. IL

1880 Census, Maquon Twp., Knox Co., IL
Walter, Borter, 49, farmer, b. OH
Eliza, 45, wife, keeping house, b. IL
Martha, 24, dau., working by the week, b. IL
John W., 20, son, farmer, b. IL
Mary J., 18, dau., at home, b. IL
William, 16, son, farmer, b. IL
Lilly, 9, dau., b. IL
Charles, 7, son, b. IL
Frederick, 4, son, b. IL