My Genealogy Hound

H. W. Winthrop, one of the representative citizens of Forrest City, was born in New England (Vermont) in 1839, being the son of William and Ann (Herron) Winthrop. William Winthrop owed his nativity to England, and was of English and Scotch descent. When quite young he came to America, and became prominently identified with politics, serving as a member of the legislature, and at the date of his death, in his eightieth year, was holding the position of county judge, having acted in that capacity for twelve years. His wife was born in Ireland, but married in Vermont, and by her marriage with Mr. Winthrop became the mother of five children. She is now living with her son, H. W. Winthrop, having passed her eighty-eighth birthday. Grandfather Herron came originally from Ireland, and after losing his first wife there, emigrated to America about the year 1800, attaining a place as one of the richest men in Vermont. He left seventy-two grandchildren, all well-fixed, and the monument erected to his memory in Vermont is one of the largest in the State. The mother of H. W. (the subject of this sketch) is his daughter by the first wife. H. W. Winthrop ran away from home when a boy, but was found in Boston and brought back by his father. He then concluded that the locality in which he was settled did not suit him, so went West, and at the date of the war was in Massachusetts. Joining the Federal army, Company N, Fifty-third Massachusetts Regiment, he served three years, having been promoted first lieutenant, though not commissioned, and he did not go to his regiment. Resigning his position he went into the sutler’s department, and was brigade-sutler over the Eleventh New Jersey Cavalry, Second Iowa and Third United States, finding himself at the close of the war in Memphis, Tenn. He purchased a steamboat at that place with the intention of doing a trading business on the St. Francis River, but after making one trip, and landing at Madison, this county, he was accosted by familiar faces, who inquired if he did not recognize them, and whether he was not the man who had captured them, while serving in an official capacity during the Civil War. He first hesitated in replying, but finally admitted the soft impeachment, though not without some fear of results. He indeed was the man, and immediately was at the mercy of several of his former prisoners. Long before, when he captured them, his men, though all Federal soldiers, had given their rations to the Confederates, who were half famished, and had gone without themselves. The act was never forgotten. Mr. Winthrop was entertained in a royally hospitable manner by his ex-Confederate captives, who were gratified in having an opportunity to extend favors to one who had so nobly rendered them assistance in a time of distress. This partly led to his disposing of the boat and locating at Madison, where he entered the grocery business in the firm of Cole & Prewett, Mr. Cole being one of the leading men of the soldiers, whom Mr. Winthrop had captured as a rebel. From the moment of this second meeting a strong friendship grew up between the two, and many years of business and social relations have failed to sever the bond. Mr. Winthrop again served an appointment soon after the war, when he was appointed chief clerk of the United States Bureau, and has filled many official positions since that time. He has been United States assessor of the Eastern District of Arkansas, United States collector of the same district, and collector of St. Francis County for six years. In 1872 he was elected sheriff of the county, but a change of political administration caused him to decline the election. He discharged the manifold duties of postmaster in a highly commendable manner for several years, and was deputy United States marshal for a long period. His experience as marshal would make an interesting volume within itself, as his honesty and justice in dealing with men caused them to regard him more as a friend than an enemy or officer of the law, though he was never derelict in duty. Fortune has smiled on Mr. Winthrop in a most generous way, he now owning the city opera house, erected by himself, and other valuable property, exclusive of which he has 8,000 acres of very valuable land. His marriage with Miss Georgia Johnson has proved a most happy one. Two children have blessed their union: Mary and Fannie. In societies he is identified with the I. O. O. F. and A. F. & A. M., and in politics is a Republican. He is a direct descendant of Gov. Winthrop, of Massachusetts.