Bio: Winters, John Merrill (History - 1827)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: WINTERS MERRILL HITCHCOCK

----Source: 1819 History of Clark and Jackson County, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge, pg. 520 - 521.

           Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Winters

               T. M. & W. J. Winters

John Merrill Winters, a Clark County farmer who resides on section 4, Washburn Township, was born a Lima, New York, September 18, 1827, son of John Merrill and Diadema Winters. His youth was spent in that native State. In 1861, when the civil war broke out, he joined the Union ranks and went forth in the defense of the country. He enlisted in Company A, Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served with bravery all through the sanguinary struggle, actively participating in many important engagements.

In 1866 Mr. Winters was married to Sarah Hitchcock, by whom he has had two children: Thomas and William. The year following his marriage he came west and settled in Wisconsin. He located in Clark County, and in 1870 bought a farm of eighty acres, thirty acres being a wilderness. While in New York Mr. Winters learned the carpenter's trade, but after coming to this State he turned his attention to farming. He had little with which to begin life in a new country, the only capital being a yoke of cattle, two cows and 50 cents. Many were the hardships they endured, and with characteristic pioneer bravery did they meet and overcome the obstacles as they presented themselves. By industry and economy they have secured a comfortable home and are now in a position to enjoy life. Mr. Winters is a Republican he served as Justice of the Peace nine years, and has also held other offices.

WINTERS MERRILL HITCHCOCK