- NELSON WINSTON is numbered among those who have been prominently
identified with
- Rock County from its early history, and perhaps none among
its citizens are more widely or favorably known. He is now residing
in Evansville, but is a native of the Empire State, having been
born in Albany County, on the 15th day of October, 1819. His
father, John WINSTON, was born in Albany County, Jan. 19, 1797,
and his ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of the Colony
of New York. Abram WINSTON, the great-grandfather of our subject,
became a member of that colony during its infancy, and his son
Isaac, the grandfather of our subject, was there born. He served
as a soldier in the American army during the war of the Revolution,
and was the father of nine children, seven sons and two daughters,
all of whom have now passed away.
- John WINSTON was reared to manhood in his native State and
married Miss Amanda BENTLY,
- who is still living at the home of her son Nelson, in Evansville,
having attained her ninety-first year. By their union they became
the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom, nine sons and
three daughters, lived to adult age. Five of the number, three
sons and two daughters, are now deceased. The father of the family
died at his home in Rock County, Nov. 13, 1867, when nearly seventy-one
years of age. He was a man of great energy and force of character,
and took an active and prominent part in the early development
of Rock County. He was a successful business man, and secured
the confidence of his fellow citizens by his honest, upright
dealing with all. He led a consistent Christian life, and belonged
to the Baptist Church, being the originator of the movement which
resulted in the organization of the first Baptist Church in Union
Township. His interest in the cause of the Master grew stronger
as his years increased, and he passed away with the consciousness
of a well-spent life, and of having done his duty as he saw it.
- Our subject was the second in order of birth in his family,
and when a lad removed with his parents
- to Chenango County, N.Y., and later went with the family
to Perry, in Wyoming County, then a part of Genesee County. He
was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the common
schools, and in 1841, came with his family to Wisconsin, they
remaining for a short time in Walworth County, but came almost
immediately to Rock County, where both father and sons engaged
in farming. In 1849 Nelson WINSTON embarked upon a mercantile
career, at Oregon, Dane County, in company with Isaac M. BENNETT,
under the firm name of WINSTON & BENNETT, which connection
continued until 1855, when Mr. WINSTON came to Evansville. He
again engaged in merchandising with his father and brother Reuben,
under the firm name of J. WINSTON and Sons, until 1861, when
he bought out the interest of his partners, and then carried
on the business in connection with Mr. BENNETT, his partner in
Dane County. In 1870 the two gentlemen secured a charter, under
which the First National Bank of Evansville was organized, associating
with them L. T. PULLEN, who also became a partner in the mercantile
business. Mr. WINSTON was made Vice-President of the bank, in
which he and Mr. BENNETT had a controlling interest, owning about
three-fifths of the stock. In 1875, when it changed from a National
to a State bank, Mr. WINSTON and Mr. BENNETT withdrew, and soon
after the former purchased the remaining interest in the mercantile
branch of the business, and the firm of N. WINSTON & sons
was established. They carried on business until 1885, when, selling
out, our subject retired from active life.
- On the 27th day of March, 1851, Mr. WINSTON was united in
marriage with Miss Eliza A.
- PARSONS, the wedding being celebrated in Dane County, where
the lady was then residing. She was born in Cayuga County, N.Y.,
Feb. 8, 1824, and in 1851, came with her parents to Dane County,
Wis., where Mr. and Mrs. PARSONS resided until their death. Mr.
and Mrs. WINSTON have been the parents of four children, three
sons and a daughter, the latter of whom is deceased: Frank H.,
the eldest, is now residing in New Mexico, where he is engaged
in the mercantile business, and also has charge of a cattle ranch
owned by his father and brother; Fred H., who was formerly associated
with his father and brother in the mercantile firm of N. WINSTON
& Sons, is now Express Agent at Evansville; Loretta, the
only daughter, died at the age of twenty-four years and six months;
George P., the youngest son, is residing at Frederick, Dak.
- Mr. WINSTON has long been one of the representative citizens
of Rock County, and having been
- identified with the mercantile and banking interests of Evansville
for so many years, has necessarily formed extensive business
and social relations. His success in life has been won by patient
and unremitting attention to details, and by the application
of correct business principles. In politics his early ancestors
were Democrats of the Jackson school, and belonged to the portion
of that party which became an important part of the National
Republican party when that body was organized. Mr. WINSTON was
one of the organizers of the Republican party in Wisconsin, is
a faithful adherent to its principles, and takes that interest
in social affairs which every true American should feel, but
has never been an aspirant for office - in fact, has frequently
refused offers of legislative honors. He has, however, served
as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of his town, and has
filled the office of President of the Board of Evansville. In
religious affiliations both he and his wife are members of the
Congregational Church, and are held in the highest esteem.
- Anson G. PARSONS, the father of Mrs. WINSTON, was born in
the State of New York, on
- the 8th day of September, 1789. He was married in Madison
County, that State, to Miss Nancy THOMPSON, who was born in New
Hampshire, but removed with her parents to the Empire State,
where her marriage with Mr. PARSONS was celebrated in 1823. They
became the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters,
the youngest of whom, Henry, died at the age of four years. In
1850, accompanied by the other members of his family, Mr. PARSONS
emigrated to the West, locating in Oregon, Wis. In earlier years
he had learned the carpenter's trade which he followed after
his arrival in this state, and also engaged in operating a farm.
His death occurred Feb.. 15, 1881, and his wife departed this
life just one month later, on the 15th day of March. They were
highly respected people, and their death was mourned by many
friends.
- Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. PARSONS, Mrs. WINSTON was
the first in order of birth; Jane
- T., the second, became the wife of Ambrose SPENCER, and died
in 1858; Harriet married Daniel BRIGGS, and is now living in
Ironton, Wis.; Josephine is the wife of Tristram STORY, a resident
of Union Township; and Andrew S. is residing in Oregon, Dane
County.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 619-620.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|