My Genealogy Hound

Peter Van Winkle (deceased). Among the many noble men and prominent citizens who receive honorable mention in the biographical department of this work may be mentioned the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in New York City February 25, 1814, and comes of a long line of ancestry who have resided in the “Empire State” and who have arisen to prominence in the history of the country. When in his youth he removed to Illinois with his father, and was reared to manhood in that State. They were among the pioneer settlers, and suffered all the privations and hardships incident to life on the frontier, but by industry and economy became well-to-do citizens. Peter received but meager educational advantages in his early days, and in 1839 came to Washington County, Ark., where he was engaged in farming and mechanical work for eleven years. In 1850 he removed to Benton County, Ark., where he was engaged in milling and lumber dealing, increasing those interests to a marked degree in Northwest Arkansas, and throughout life was ever ready to support those enterprises which tended to advance and benefit the community in which he resided. In 1879 or 1880 he completed a large hotel at Fayetteville, which bears his name, and upon the establishment of the ‘Frisco Railroad he lent as much aid and contributed as much money as any other citizen in Northwest Arkansas. He built an extensive sash and door factory, and supplied the majority of the material used in the building in Eureka Springs, Fayetteville and other places. Up to 1880 he was supposed to have the most extensive lumber mills in the State. In early life he was married to a lady of more than ordinary ability and strength of character, who proved to be a true helpmate to him in his labors in Washington and Benton Counties. To them were born a family of seven sons and five daughters, all of whom occupy honored places in the citizenship of their respective localities. Calvin, their eldest son, lost his life in the Confederate service, and Washington died at the age of about sixteen years. Norman is a lumber dealer of Eureka Springs; Jefferson B. has a book and stationary store at Fayetteville; Robert E. L. is a lumber dealer of Pittsburg, Kas.; Wallace and Peter are completing their educations, and still reside under the paternal roof. Their eldest daughter, Ann, is the wife of Martin K. Walker, of Benton County, Ark.; Mary is the wife of J. B. Steele, of Rogers, Ark.; Lucy died at the age of fourteen years; Ellen is the deceased wife of J. A. C. Blackburn, and Emily is the wife of J. K. P. Stringfield, a leading merchant and mill owner of Benton County, Ark. Mr. Van Winkle gave all his children excellent educational advantages, and reared them to love honor, truth and their country. On the 10th of February, 1882, he was called to his last reward and was buried with Masonic honors. He led an exemplary and useful life, and his memory will ever remain green in the minds of the present generation, as one whose enterprise and liberality contributed so much to the business interests of the town and county. He was an earnest and honored member of the Baptist Church.