Winkley, Alonzo 1821 - 1882

WINKLEY, DANIELS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/18/2016 at 11:18:43

Elkader Register, Fri., 8 Dec. 1882.

With the fading out of the year, amid the chilling blasts of winter, we are called upon to note the passing away of one of the early settlers of this county, one whose head was covered with the honored and silvery covering of age, and one whose death is a great blow to all who knew him.

As the chilling blasts of winter are fatal to the growing vegetation, so is the cold, claiming breath of death fatal to the happiness of those at whose hearthstone it is felt.

The subject of this sketch, Mr. Alonzo Winkley, was born at Meriden, New Hampshire, on the 11th day of December, 1821, lacking but a few days of being 61 years of age at the time of his death. His parents were of the sturdy New England stock, and he inherited many of the virtues of those people. He received a common school education, and after completing that, he went to work with his father at the tailoring business. He continued in the furnishing goods business after his father's death, and in 1849 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Daniels; a sister of Francis Daniels and an aunt of F. B. Daniels of Dubuque. He was afterwards elected to the New Hampshire legislature from his county, and served two terms with honor to himself and his constituents.

After leaving the legislature he came west to examine the country, and afterwards invested largely in western lands. In 18__ (Looks like 1862.), his failing health admonished him to seek a change of climate, and he came to Clayton county, locating at McGregor, where he entered into the produce business, and continued in the business at that point until the railroad was built to Monona, when he moved there, continuing the same business for a number of years. His health again failing he gave up active business pursuits and commenced loaning money.

In politics he was always a democrat of very strong convictions, believing that his party was founded on the true principals of free government by a free people. He was not a member of any secret organization.

By his death on Monday last, a long and useful life was ended, leaving numerous friends and a devoted wife to mourn the loss of a kind friend and a loving husband. The funeral occurred on Tuesday, Rev. Potwin officiating, and the remains were followed to their final rest by a large number of mourning relatives and friends. May he rest in peace !