My Genealogy Hound

JOHN E. WINSLOW, one of the prominent and well-to-do residents of the town of Virgil, engaged in carrying on a very successful legal practice, is a native of the town where he now makes his residence. He is a son of Elisha Winslow, grandson of Ira Winslow, and great-grandson of Jered Winslow.

Ira Winslow was a native of New England, his birth having occurred in either Massachusetts or Connecticut; our information does not allow us to be explicit in regard to this event. About one hundred years ago he left his eastern home, and came to Cortland County, settling in the town of Preble, where he bought and cleared a farm on which he lived several years. This was not the only property he owned, for as a man of enterprise he purchased several small parcels of real estate. His trade was that of a harness and saddle-maker, and throughout his life he was engaged at the above calling in a greater or less degree. He lived to be eighty four years of age. His wife, who was Tryphena Waterman, daughter of Elisha Waterman, attained the age of seventy-five years. The children born to them were named: Ira; Matilda; Bathia; Harriet; Polly; Sarah Ann; Charles; Cynthia; Elisha; William; Abagail; and Mariam.

Elisha Winslow was born in Cortland County, December 9, 1816, and learned the harness-maker’s trade in his father’s shop, after which he followed the trade for a matter of fifteen years as a journeyman. He then settled at Truxton, where he carried on business six years. In 1840, he came to the village of Virgil, and commenced his business in the building where Mr. Holton’s store is now located. Later he erected a structure, where he did an extensive business for that day in boots and shoes and in harness making. In 1863, he ceased his work as a manufacturer, and from then until 1893, the date of his retirement, he carried on a retail business. He bought for his home the P. F. Grow place, where he now resides. He has a strong constitution and would enjoy excellent health were it not for the severe attacks of rheumatism that render his life miserable at times. His friends and acquaintances, of whom there is a large number, unite in ascribing to him the highest qualities of soul and mind. He was ever popular in business circles, and during his residence in Virgil as a leading merchant, he was recognized as one who could at all times be depended on to do all in his power to advance the best interests of the town. For a period of some thirty years he held the office of postmaster of Virgil, having been appointed to that position by President Lincoln. His dealings in real estate were extended; at various times he owned the Lock, Baker, Haskell, Pomeroy, and Heberd farms, and realized handsomely from each. He now owns the L. Sherman, Marsh, Carson, Leonard, and Downey farms. Early in life he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Gilbert, daughter of Richmond and Catherine Gilbert. She was called to her Home on high in 1889, having experienced many of the joys and few of the sorrows of life in her career of seventy-two years.

John E. Winslow, the subject of this article, was the only child born to his parents. He was ushered into the world on February 5, 1849, Virgil village. After completing his education at the district school and in the State Normal institution at Cortland, he entered upon a business life by assuming the position of clerk in his father’s mercantile establishment. Very soon afterward, however, he turned his attention to the legal profession, and became a student in the office of Hon. O. U. Kellogg of Cortland village, and was admitted to practice at the bar of Cortland County in 1879. For several years he practiced his profession with his preceptor, Mr. Kellogg, and then removed to Virgil, where he has built up a comfortable practice, and met with flattering success. Of late years he has also seen to the management of his father’s estate. In recognition of his abilities and knowledge of law, he was made a justice of the peace and held office a number of years. Mr. Winslow married Elizabeth M. Gardner, daughter of Nathan A. Gardner of Virgil, and to them have been given two children: J. Orris, a student at the Cortland State Normal School; and Leona, a child of five years. In his political attachments Mr. Winslow is strongly Republican.