My Genealogy Hound

Josiah L. Winfrey, a prominent stock farmer of this community, was born within six miles of where he now lives, on what is known as Conn’s Creek (named after his grandfather), on the 12th of February, 1838, his parents being James M. and Eleanor M. (Conn) Winfrey, who were Tennesseeans, and his grandfather being also James M. Winfrey, and a native of Tennessee. The latter moved to Kentucky with his family in the early part of the 30’s, and located on the Wet Auglaize, near the mouth of Brumley Creek, where he lived until 1863, in which year he died. He was twice married, but had no family by his second wife. His first union was blessed in the birth of seven children, two of whom are now living, Thomas and William C., both of whom are living in Miller County, Mo., the former being a Predestinarian Baptist minister. James M. Winfrey, the father of our subject, was only a lad when brought to Missouri, but remained with his parents until grown, then married and located on Conn’s Creek, but being of a rather roving disposition, remained here but a short time, and until about 1848 or 1849 resided on and improved good farms in Dallas, Polk, Camden and Miller Counties. He then located on the farm where his widow now resides, and there died March 13, 1863, having been a member of the Osage Regiment of Missouri Home Guards, United States Army. His wife was born in 1829, being a daughter of Josiah Conn, who was a Tennesseean. He moved from his native State to Alabama, where he taught school, but at an early day removed to Missouri, locating on the prairie which afterward took the name of Conn’s Creek. He taught school after coming to Missouri, and also preached the Gospel and farmed. Four of his eight children are now living: Eleathea, Eleanor M., Peggie and Josiah J. To James M. and Eleanor Winfrey were born the following family: Josiah L., William C., Benjamin E., Sarah E., Eleathea, Zilpha, James M., Thomas L., Pennington, John C., Marshal C. and Francis T. Benjamin, Eleathea and Pennington are deceased. Josiah L. Winfrey was reared in his native county, and served during the Rebellion in Company C, Osage Regiment Missouri Home Guards, as sergeant for about six months, and was then taken to Jefferson City to guard that city. He afterward served as orderly-sergeant in Company C, Forty-eighth Missouri State Militia, and during the war purchased the farm where he now lives, on which he has resided since peace was declared. He was elected county assessor in the fall of 1872, which position he held four years, taking the census of 1876, and has held the office of justice of the peace a number of years, being the present incumbent of that office. At one time he was engaged in selling goods at Montreal, Mo., and in 1859 took the “gold fever,” and made a trip to Pike’s Peak, but did not remain there long. January 10, 1861, he was married to Rebecca M. Amos, who was born in Alabama, and came to Missouri with her parents in 1857. Her death occurred August 21, 1882, she having become the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living: Mary E., Valonia J., Rebecca M., Eliza E., Melissa S., Sarah A., Josiah L. and Zilpha J. Josiah L., the only son, died at the age of eleven months. Mr. Winfrey was married the second time July 23, 1885, to Melvina C. Carlton, whose maiden name was George. She was a daughter of Ira H. George, and was born in Russell County, Ky., coming to Missouri in 1850, when she was nine years old. By her first husband, Milton, who died in 1859, she became the mother of two children: Eveline E. and William R. Her second husband, Franklin S. Carlton, died September 22, 1882, and left four children, all deceased but one, Merinda I. John H., Sarah A. and an infant are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Winfrey have one of the handsomest homes in the county. They are members of the church, Mr. Winfrey being also a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the G. A. R., being Past Commander of Montreal Lodge No. 342. In his political views he is a stanch Republican.