Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 831 - 832

OSCAR L. WINTERS, one of the old settlers of Sedgwick County, came here in the fall of 1869, from LaSalle County, Ill., and homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 26, Eagle Township, where he is now making his home. At that time William Lockard was the only settler in this township, and was living on the Big Run at the time of our subject's advent here.

            Mr. Winters is a native of Stark County, Ohio, born Jan. 19, 1848, and the son of William F. and Lutitia (McDowell) Winters, who were natives also of the Buckeye State. His father and mother were united in marriage in the year 1845, in Stark County, Ohio, and the former died in October, 1882, at the age of sixty-one years. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were sincere members of the Presbyterian Church. The mother of our subject is still living, and makes her home in Colwich, this county, and, although sixty-one years of age, is quite active and energetic.

            The subject of this personal memoir remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving his education in the district schools and assisting his father in his labors, for that gentleman was a farmer all his life. William Winters enlisted in Company C, 147th Illinois Infantry, in 1864, when he was about forty-five years of age, as a private, and came out of the service as Sergeant. On attaining his majority our subject, who had been living about eight years in LaSalle County, Ill., whither his parents had moved, came to sunny Kansas in company with Edwin Dorrington, and settled in that part of Park Township which is known as Eagle. Here he located, as above mentioned, and has made it his home from that date until the present writing. His companion, Mr. Dorrington, remained until 1879, when he removed to Harper County, in this State. Our subject is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, giving most of his attention to the breeding of Norman horses and Poland-China hogs. He has set out a fine orchard of apple, peach, pear and cherry trees, and a quantity of the smaller fruits. His improvements on the place are of a comfortable and substantial character, and, although a young man, he is making great progress toward the competency which is the goal of every man's effort.

            Mr. Winters was united in marriage, April 22, 1877, with Miss Jennie Richardson, a native of LaSalle County, Ill., born Oct. 8, 1849, and daughter of William and Ruth (Terry) Richardson, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father died in Sedgwick County, Oct. 5, 1883, and her mother Oct. 18, 1849. The latter was born in Ohio. She was a member of the Methodist Church, and the father of the Baptist. They were the parents of but one child, Jennie, who is the wife of the subject of this sketch. In the family of Mr. Winters' parents were seven children: Mary E., Oscar L., Samantha D., James C., Ada M., John. W. and Maggie B. All of them are living and married, and have their homes in Sedgwick County. Ada is the wife of J. R. Brown, a native of Pennsylvania, who was engaged in farming in Eagle Township until January, 1888, when, having been elected to the office of Register of Deeds of the county in November previous, he removed to Wichita. They are the parents of six children --Carrie, Willie, Etta, Maud, Lula and Ada. Mr. and Mrs. Winters are the parents of two children, both boys, who have come to brighten their lives and enhance their domestic joys -- Earl J. and Arthur L.

            Mr. Winters is a representative man of Sedgwick County, and in politics affiliates with the Republican party. In the fall of 1887 he was elected to the office of Township Trustee, which position he is now filling. Previous to this he was Clerk of the township for about one year, and has filled various offices on the School Board for several terms. He is industrious, energetic and progressive in his nature, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.

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