Winchester, Benjamin

WINCHESTER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/21/2019 at 16:58:10

Benjamin Winchester

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.542)
BENJAMIN WINCHESTER, retired, is a well-known pioneer and the pioneer brick-manufacturer of Council Bluffs and Omaha, having arrived here in May 1854, and ever since made this county his home. He was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1817, a son of Stephen WINCHESTER, a native of Orange County, Vermont. The family trace their ancestry back to two brothers, who settled one in New England and the other in Virginia. Stephen’s father was Benjamin WINCHESTER, who served with distinction and bravery for seven years in the Revolutionary War, under General PUTNAM. Mr. WINCHESTER, our subject, was reared in agricultural pursuits and at brick-making. At the age of fifteen years, he became a Mormon and attended the laying of the corner stone of the Mormon Temple at Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836. At eighteen he began as a missionary and preached both in New England and in Europe, his headquarters being at Philadelphia; and for nine years he was thus a zealous laborer for the Mormons’ cause. He became disgusted, in 1844, with the leaders, owing to their immorality and withdrew from the church. About this time, Joseph SMITH, the founder of Mormonism, was killed. Mr. WINCHESTER resided then for a time at Philadelphia, and next was engaged in the tobacco trade in Pittsburg. In the spring of 1854, he arrived at Council Bluffs, coming by railroad to Alton, Illinois, and thence up the Missouri River. In the fall, by team, he went by way of Davenport to Pittsburg for his family. At this time, Council Bluffs comprised about 1,500 inhabitants, dwelling mostly in log cabins along Broadway and Madison Streets. The leading hotels then were the Robertson House and the Pacific House – the latter just opened. Mr. WINCHESTER engaged in the manufacture of brick, being the first in the county to engage in that business to a considerable extent, very few small lots having been previously made by the Mormons. Subsequently, he assisted in laying out the town of Omaha, and afterward broke the ground for making the first brick-yard there. He entered into a contract with the Ferry company to make a quantity of brick, and built a log cabin near by in which to keep the laborers. Mr. DUELL and wife did the cooking; but Indians and squatters stole their lumber and other supplies to such an extent that brick-making was not profitable. He sold out and retired to this side of the river. Mr. WINCHESTER, however, continued in his business from that period to 1887, when he also sold out and retired. In 1867, he made the brick for the Ogden House and several business blocks, manufacturing $20,000 worth that season and employing 20 to 30 men. He now lives at 420 Washington Avenue, where he has a fine residence.

In his political principles, he is a zealous and active Democrat. He has served to years as City Councilman and during the war was a candidate for the State Legislature, but then his party were more than ever in the minority.

He was married February 25, 1840, to Miss Mary Hannah STONE, an intelligent and well educated lady who was born and reared in Brooklyn, New York. She is a daughter of Robert and Maria (SMITH) STONE, natives of England. Mr. And Mrs. WINCHESTER have three sons and two daughters, namely: Savillion A. of Garner Township; Americus, at home; Benjamin Jr., at home; Josephine Marion, wife of Thomas OWEN of Garner Township; and Frances Amelia, now Mrs. Joseph ABEL, also of Garner Township. Three children died: Orlando, at the age of seven months; Richard A., when seven years old; and a babe. Mr. And Mrs. WINCHESTER celebrated their golden wedding February 25, 1890, when five children and eleven grandchildren were present.