- REUBEN WINTSON, a member of the firm of K. F. RANDOLPH &
Co., lumber dealers of
- Evansville, was born in Chenango County, N.Y., on the 17th
day of November, 1826, and is a son of John WINSTON, whose sketch
appears on another page of this volume. He was reared to manhood
upon a farm, and when about fifteen years of age left his native
State came with his parents to Rock County, where he has since
made his home, with the exception of a few years. He began his
mercantile career as a salesman in the store of his brother Nelson
WINSTON, and Mr. BENNETT, when those gentlemen were associated
in business in Oregon, Wis.
- In 1854, he embarked in the mercantile business for himself,
at Stoughton, Wis., forming a
- partnership with Sylvester GILES, which connection continued
for about a year when he sold his interest to his partner. At
the time he engaged in business at Stoughton, the means of the
firm were wholly inadequate for the purchase of such a stock
of goods as they desired, but Mr. WINSTON, who went to New York
to select the goods found no difficulty in obtaining what was
wanted on credit. It is needless to say that prompt and full
payment was made, for Mr. WINTSTON is well known throughout Rock
County as a man of honor and fair dealing. In the fall of 1855,
the firm of J. WINSTON & Sons was formed, continuing until
1861, when it was dissolved. Our subject was then not actively
engaged in business for a year, when he and his father again
opened a mercantile establishment, under the firm name of J.
WINSTON & Son, but after two or three years had passed, the
father withdrew and Reuben continued in business for many years
the firm being R. WINSTON & Co. At length selling out his
stock of merchandise, he turned his attention to the lumber trade,
engaging in that business, first with Daniel JOHNSON for one
year, when he bought out Mr. JOHNSON and took into partnership
a Mr. TRUE, and carried on the business for a few years under
the firm name of R. WINSTON & Co., after which he bought
out Mr. TRUE and formed a partnership with Mr. F. W. TOLLES,
which continued a few years, when he purchased Mr. TOLLE's interest
and formed his present business relations with Mr. RANDOLPH.
The firm does a flourishing business and is one of the leading
establishments of the kind in Rock County.
- In 1852, Mr. WINSTON was united in marriage with Miss Mary
Helen NICHOLS, a daughter
- of Dennis NICHOLS, who was one of the early settlers of Rock
County, but afterwards became a resident of Iowa, where he made
his home for several years, and is now living in Nebraska. Three
children have been born of their union, all daughters - Clara,
their first born, died at the age of fourteen years; Amanda Elizabeth
is now the wife of Geo. H. BUTTS, a resident of Milton Junction,
Wis.; and Kate is the widow of C. H. LADD. Mr. WINSTON is one
of the representative men of Rock County, and a worthy and esteemed
citizen. In politics, he has ever supported the Republican party,
and is a faithful adherent to its principles. For almost half
a century he has resided in this county, winning the hearts of
many by his frank and cordial manner and his kindly dispotion.
Though not a member of any church, Mr. WINSTON attends the Congregational
Church, of which his wife and daughters are members.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 669-670.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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