Winner, Anson M.

KEATOR, CAMPBELL, TIBBETTS, SAYLOR, DERWENT

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/14/2009 at 10:41:41

The history of Waverly and Bremer county would scarcely be complete without extended reference to Anson M. Winner, who was born in Cortland county, New York, February 2, 1828, and comes of Holland ancestry. His parents were Frederick and Anna (Keator) Winner, the former born in Sullivan county, New York, and the latter in Binghamton, New York. In early life Frederick Winner followed farming and also engaged in mechanical and industrial pursuits. He worked at the shoemaker's trade and at carpentering and at last decided to try his fortune in what was then the far west. He made his way to Chicago in 1846 and from that point proceeded to Belvidere, Illinois, where he remained for twelve years. There his wife died and about 1862 he removed to Waverly, Iowa. In this county he engaged in farming and aided in its early development along agricultural lines. When he passed through Chicago on his way to the middle west he was asked to settle there and was offered a wage of two dollars per day - a goodly sum for that time - while his son, Anson, was offered a dollar and a half per day. He would also be given a corner lot free and as much other property as he wanted at ten dollars per lot, but he would not accept. He continued on to Belvidere and thence to Waverly, and his last days were spent on the farm of his son, Anson, just north of Waverly, where he passed away in 1881. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, going to the front as a substitute and serving as a private.

Anson M. Winner received limited educational opportunities in his native state. The free school act had not then been passed and the pupils had to pay tuition, and board the teacher for one week during the term. At that time quill pens were in use and each morning the teacher gave a pupil a new pen. The methods of instruction were primitive and little was taught beyond the three Rs. Anson M. Winner continued to remain upon the home farm until twenty-six years of age. His mother died a short time before and he then left home and engaged in the elevator business, and also conducted a grocery store. At length he exchanged his business property for prairie land in the vicinity of Waverly and ultimately became the owner of eight eighty-acre tracts of land. Before taking up his abode in Bremer county, however, he had preempted a claim near Mason City, Iowa, where his brother and brother-in-law also took claims. They secured the title to theirs by remaining upon them, but at that date, in 1852, Mr. Winner still held his property in Belvidere, to which place he returned to look after his interests there and accordingly he lost his claim which included a part of the tract upon which Mason City now stands. That district was then a pioneer section and his brother and brother-in-law had to make their own road for a distance of twenty miles. After coming to Waverly Mr. Winner rented a farm for a year and then moved on to his own land.

It was on the 10th of May, 1855, that Mr. Winner was united in marriage to Miss Miranda Campbell, who was born in Lockport, New York, March 2, 1835. She had been left an orphan during early girlhood and she went to Belvidere, Illinois, with a family when but seven years of age. She had two brothers who became soldiers in the Civil war. It was in Belvidere that she married Mr. Winner and when he came to Iowa and made plans for continuing his residence here, it was arranged that his wife should meet him in Dubuque. By mistake she left the boat at Galena, whence she had to take a boat to East Dubuque and thence ferry across to Dubuque where her husband awaited her. They came on together to Bremer county and met all of the experiences and hardships of pioneer life during the ealy days of their residence here. They had to sleep out of doors until a building could be erected and it was no unusual thing to hear the howling of wolves at night. The prairie was crossed by a buffalo trail which they took to be the track of cattle. Upon the farm which he first owned in this county Mr. Winner lived for two years. He built thereon a house costing six hundred dollars and made other improvements. He sold the eighty acre tract and all of the improvements upon it for the cost of the house, not having seen another settler in the two years in which he lived upon that place. He then purchased forty acres of land a mile and a half northeast of Waverly and continued there until the spring of 1890, when he took up his abode in the city. He was engaged in the stock business some years prior to this time and continued in the business until his eye-sight failed him. After he had attained his eightieth year he drove over the country, buying and shipping stock and enjoying the business as much as he had in his younger days. He also furnished money for others to engage in the same business. Close application to his books affected his eye-sight and eventually he was obliged to discontinue. He was among the first to take stock in the sugar factory, but since disposed of it. A life of enterprise, activity, diligence and determination has brought him a substantial measure of success so that he is now able to live retired.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Winner were born eight children. Alice is the wife of J.W. Tibbetts, a resident of Marshfield, Oregon, where he is engaged in the hotel business and in general merchandising. Effie, who formerly engaged in teaching remains at home with her parents. Earl G. is conducting a hotel in Marshfield, Oregon. Katherine is the wife of W.W. Saylor. Herman L. is a painting contractor and successful business man, residing with his parents. Florine is the wife of Dr. A.E. Derwent, a practicing physician of Clinton, Missouri, who is making a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Carl H., residing at Rupert, Idaho, is engaged in dry farming. Max R. is a member of the drug firm of C.G. Holt & Company of Waverly.

In politics Mr. Winner is a republican and has filled a number of local offices, serving at different times as trustee, as supervisor, as assessor in Washington township for five years, and as director and president of the school board. He has ever been deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the community, has borne his part in its material development and has assisted in many other lines of civic improvement.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914