John  Z. Winterrowd


          John Z. Winterrowd, a practical and progressive farmer of Wade Township, Jasper County, residing on section 10, dates his residence in this community since 1860.  He is therefore numbered among its earliest settlers, and as such well deserves representation in this volume.  He is one of the worthy citizens that Indiana has furnished to Jasper County.  He was born in Shelby County, of the Hoosier State, July 15, 1848, and is a son of  John Winterrowd, a native of Pennsylvania.  The grandfather, Peter Winterrowd, was also born in Pennsylvania, where the family was founded in an early day.  The Winterrowds are of German descent.  The grandfather removed to Drake County, Ohio, about 1802, locating there when the county was almost an unbroken wilderness.  The father of our subject there married, but his first wife died, and in Shelby County, Ind., he wedded  Dorothy Cookson, a native of Tennessee.  He removed to Indiana, about 1830, and became of t he pioneers of Shelby County, where he cleared and developed a farm and reared his family.  Selling his property in 1860, he came to Jasper County, Ill., and again found himself a pioneer.  He located upon the farm where his son now resides and here spent the reminder of his day, being called to his final res, January 3, 1870.  His wife passed away in 1887, and they were laid to rest by side in Steward Cemetery.
          The Winterrowd family numbered seven children, who grew to mature years, five sons and two daughters.  Washington, the eldest, died in Texas; Nancy is still living;  Jacob K. is now deceased;  Seldon J. is a farmer of Livingston County, Mo.;  Sebastian F. is deceased;  Elizabeth A. is the wife of  B. F. Moulden, of Shelby County, Ind.
          The subject of this sketch, who is the youngest of this family, came to Illinois with his parents when a lad of twelve summers, and was reared to manhood on the old homestead.  He received good educational advantages and remained with his father until he had attained his majority.  Mr. Winterrowd was married March 5, 1868, to  Miss Barbara J. Buckingham, a native of Monroe County, Ohio, and a daughter of John W. Buckingham.  After his marriage he remained with his father for about two years and then rented a farm in Effingham County for two years.  During his residence there his wife died, her death occurring on 11th of December, 1870.
          After the her death Mr. Winterrowd went to Kansas and spent one summer in Montgomery County, where he took up a claim.  He then returned to his home in Jasper County and took charge of the farm and the business of the homestead, to the possession of which he succeeded by purchasing the interest of the other heirs.  He has greatly improved the place by erecting a pleasant and substantial residence, good barns and outbuildings.  He has also extended the boundaries of the farm until it now comprises one hundred and seventy acres of rich land, which yields a golden tribute in return for his care and labor.
          In his political affiliations Mr. Winterrowd has always been a Republican.  His first Presidential vote was cast for Gen. U. S. Grant in 1872.  He is well informed on the issues of the day, and takes quite an active part in local politics.  He has served as Town Clerk for one term, and for many years has been a member of the School Board, during which time he has done effective service in the interests of education.  He was one of the organizer of the County Fair Association, was elected one of the first directors and served as such for several years.  He was also Vice-president and Treasurer of the County Agricultural Board.
          Mr. Winterrowd was second time married, November 15, 1871, the lady of his choice being  Miss Virginia R. Bridges, who was born, reared and educated in Jasper County, and is a daughter of  William Bridges, one of the honored early settlers of this community, formerly of Virginia.  By his marriage Mr. Winterrowd had one son, Harry S., now a successful teacher and farmer of this county.  Five children have been born of his second marriage:  Walter E.,  Charlie C.,  Addie E.,  Joe H.,  and  Nellie E.  The four younger members of the family are attending school.
          Mr. Winterrowd has spent nearly his entire life in this community and is well known in Newton and Jasper Counties.  He is recognized as one of the enterprising agriculturist, and is a progressive and representative citizen.  His life has been well and worthily spent.  He has won success in his business career and in his intercourse with his fellow-men he has gained the high respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties,  Lake City Publishing Co., 1893,  Illinois
Submitted by Wanda

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