Bio: Winter, Oliver G. (History - 1821)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: WINTER GRAY SNOWMAN PERKINS METCALF MCCOMBER

----Source: 1819 History of Clark and Jackson County, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge.

OLIVER G. WINTER, a farmer in Manchester Township, Jackson County, is a man of high standing in the community and unquestioned integrity of character. He was born in Franklin County, Maine, February 28, 1821, and is a son of Benjamin and Olive (Gray) Winter, native of the State of Maine, where they passed all their lives. They were the parents of six children: John, Fannie, Oliver G., Elisha, Joseph and Harrison. Oliver G. was the third born child he was reared in his native county to the occupation of a farmer and received his education in the public schools. In 1857, when the tide of emigration was still flowing steadily to the West, he determined to seek out a home in this new section of country, and accordingly set out on that mission he came to Jackson County, and for several years was engaged in the lumber business, operating a sawmill a portion of the time. In 1871 he purchased his present farm, which consists of 120 acres, most of which is under cultivation there are neat comfortable buildings, and barns and sheds for the care and protection of the live-stock and the storing of grain all the surroundings give evidence of thrift and wise management.

Mr. Winter is a stanch Republican, and been a delegate to the convention that organized the Republican party, had called conventions in the town of Strong, Franklin County, Maine all were set for the same hour, and when they were convened, each body appointed a man to consult with each other, and see if some union could not be effected. They finally agreed to unit and organize a new party a vote was take this which was unanimous. After this, the question arose: What name shall be given the new party John H. Willard, of the Town of Wilton, arose and moved that it should be called the Republican party the motion was seconded and carried without dissent. Mr. Winter was a delegate to the Democratic convention, up to that time being a strong adherent to the principles of that body. However, upon the organization of the new party he cast his lot with it, and has ever since been a stanch supporter of its movements. It is indeed a pleasure to record the history of a man who has had so prominent part in the political history of this country, and one who is so worthy in every way of the honor.

In 1860 Mr. Winter was elected by the Republicans of Jackson County as Clerk of the Circuit Court, serving one term with great credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of his constituency. Since that time he has held many of the local office, and there is perhaps no other farmer in the community better posted on the leading issues of the day than is he. In church matters he fulfills his obligation to the utmost being an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal society.

April 21, 1845, is a day memorable in the history of our subject he was then united in the holy bonds of marriage to Miss Mary L. Perkins, of Weld, Franklin County, Maine. Mrs. Winter was born in York County, Maine, December 22, 1823, and is a daughter of Jesse and Charlotte (Snowman) Perkins, natives of the State of Maine and life-long residents there. Mr. and Mrs. Winter had born to them two children: Alice E. and Fannie E. Alice F. was married, February 14, 1891, to Calvin H. Metcalf. Fannie E. is married to Lewis McComber, and they have one child Oliver. Mrs. Winter passed from this life September 28, 1884, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn with her bereaved family.

WINTER GRAY SNOWMAN PERKINS METCALF MCCOMBER