NELSON WINSTON is numbered among those who have been prominently identified with Rock County from its early history, and perhaps none among its citizens are more widely or favorably known. He is now residing in Evansville, but is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Albany County, on the 15th day of October, 1819. His father, John WINSTON, was born in Albany County, Jan. 19, 1797, and his ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of the Colony of New York. Abram WINSTON, the great-grandfather of our subject, became a member of that colony during its infancy, and his son Isaac, the grandfather of our subject, was there born. He served as a soldier in the American army during the war of the Revolution, and was the father of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all of whom have now passed away.
John WINSTON was reared to manhood in his native State and married Miss Amanda BENTLY, who is still living at the home of her son Nelson, in Evansville, having attained her ninety-first year. By their union they became the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom, nine sons and three daughters, lived to adult age. Five of the number, three sons and two daughters, are now deceased. The father of the family died at his home in Rock County, Nov. 13, 1867, when nearly seventy-one years of age. He was a man of great energy and force of character, and took an active and prominent part in the early development of Rock County. He was a successful business man, and secured the confidence of his fellow citizens by his honest, upright dealing with all. He led a consistent Christian life, and belonged to the Baptist Church, being the originator of the movement which resulted in the organization of the first Baptist Church in Union Township. His interest in the cause of the Master grew stronger as his years increased, and he passed away with the consciousness of a well-spent life, and of having done his duty as he saw it.
Our subject was the second in order of birth in his family, and when a lad removed with his parents to Chenango County, N.Y., and later went with the family to Perry, in Wyoming County, then a part of Genesee County. He was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the common schools, and in 1841, came with his family to Wisconsin, they remaining for a short time in Walworth County, but came almost immediately to Rock County, where both father and sons engaged in farming. In 1849 Nelson WINSTON embarked upon a mercantile career, at Oregon, Dane County, in company with Isaac M. BENNETT, under the firm name of WINSTON & BENNETT, which connection continued until 1855, when Mr. WINSTON came to Evansville. He again engaged in merchandising with his father and brother Reuben, under the firm name of J. WINSTON and Sons, until 1861, when he bought out the interest of his partners, and then carried on the business in connection with Mr. BENNETT, his partner in Dane County. In 1870 the two gentlemen secured a charter, under which the First National Bank of Evansville was organized, associating with them L. T. PULLEN, who also became a partner in the mercantile business. Mr. WINSTON was made Vice-President of the bank, in which he and Mr. BENNETT had a controlling interest, owning about three-fifths of the stock. In 1875, when it changed from a National to a State bank, Mr. WINSTON and Mr. BENNETT withdrew, and soon after the former purchased the remaining interest in the mercantile branch of the business, and the firm of N. WINSTON & sons was established. They carried on business until 1885, when, selling out, our subject retired from active life.
On the 27th day of March, 1851, Mr. WINSTON was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A PARSONS, the wedding being celebrated in Dane County, where the lady was then residing. She was born in Cayuga County, N.Y., Feb. 8, 1824, and in 1851, came with her parents to Dane County, Wis., where Mr. and Mrs. PARSONS resided until their death. Mr. and Mrs. WINSTON have been the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter, the latter of whom is deceased: Frank H., the eldest, is now residing in New Mexico, where he is engaged in the mercantile business, and also has charge of a cattle ranch owned by his father and brother; Fred H., who was formerly associated with his father and brother in the mercantile firm of N. WINSTON & Sons, is now Express Agent at Evansville; Loretta, the only daughter, died at the age of twenty-four years and six months; George P., the youngest son, is residing at Frederick, Dak.
Mr. WINSTON has long been one of the representative citizens of Rock County, and having been identified with the mercantile and banking interests of Evansville for so many years, has necessarily formed extensive business and social relations. His success in life has been won by patient and unremitting attention to details, and by the application of correct business principles. In politics his early ancestors were Democrats of the Jackson school, and belonged to the portion of that party which became an important part of the National Republican party when that body was organized. Mr. WINSTON was one of the organizers of the Republican party in Wisconsin, is a faithful adherent to its principles, and takes that interest in social affairs which every true American should feel, but has never been an aspirant for office - in fact, has frequently refused offers of legislative honors. He has, however, served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of his town, and has filled the office of President of the Board of Evansville. In religious affiliations both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, and are held in the highest esteem.
Anson G. PARSONS, the father of Mrs. WINSTON, was born in the State of New York, on the 8th day of September, 1789. He was married in Madison County, that State, to Miss Nancy THOMPSON, who was born in New Hampshire, but removed with her parents to the Empire State, where her marriage with Mr. PARSONS was celebrated in 1823. They became the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, the youngest of whom, Henry, died at the age of four years. In 1850, accompanied by the other members of his family, Mr. PARSONS emigrated to the West, locating in Oregon, Wis. In earlier years he had learned the carpenter's trade which he followed after his arrival in this state, and also engaged in operating a farm. His death occurred Feb.. 15, 1881, and his wife departed this life just one month later, on the 15th day of March. They were highly respected people, and their death was mourned by many friends.
Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. PARSONS, Mrs. WINSTON was the first in order of birth; Jane T., the second, became the wife of Ambrose SPENCER, and died in 1858; Harriet married Daniel BRIGGS, and is now living in Ironton, Wis.; Josephine is the wife of Tristram STORY, a resident of Union Township; and Andrew S. is residing in Oregon, Dane County.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 619, 620 - Submitted by Carol