DAVID B. WINTER, an old and highly respected citizen of Donegal township, is a son of David, whose father, Christopher Winter, was born in Rhine Pfalz, Germany. Christopher Winter emigrated from his native land at an early day, and coming to America settled in Donegal township, Washington county, Penn., there erecting a log cabin, and began to clear the forest from his land. He soon thereafter married Miss Catherine Schaeffer, a lady of German ancestry, whose parents lived near Washington borough, Penn. At this period the Indians were yet very troublesome, and made frequent raids murdering, plundering and burning as they swept on. At such times the pioneers fled to the blockhouses, leaving their property to the tender mercies of the savages. Mr. and Mrs. Winter lived to a good old age, dying on the farm where they had spent so many hours of toil and danger. They left a family of children, among whom was a son David. David Winter (father of subject) was born on the pioneer farm in Donegal township, this county, and passed his boyhood days in the usual manner of frontier children; assisting in the farm work, and attending the subscription schools (which were then held in rude log cabins), during a few months of each year. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Perry McCoy, of Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., and she bore him two children: David B. and Elizabeth Margaret (deceased wife of Alexander Wiath). After his marriage, David Winter erected a house on the home farm, near the residence of his father, and became a successful farmer. He was a popular and enterprising citizen, and in politics a Democrat. After long and useful lives, he and his wife were laid to rest beside the home where their lives had been passed. David B. Winter, the only son of the above couple, was born November 1, 1823, in the old house of his father, which is yet standing but a short distance from the large and commodious residence of the son. Mr. Winter worked for his father on the farm in his youth, and attended the common schools. In 1846 he was married to Mary Jane, daughter of William Bryson, of Donegal township, Washington county, and their children were as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. Franklin Chapman, of Donegal township), Hannah (deceased), David A. (a carpenter, living in Abilene, Tex.), William (a farmer of Donegal township), Joseph (farming in Clark county, Kans.), Nancy C. (Mrs. Joel Snodgrass, of Omaha, Neb.), Alice (Mrs. John Leinville, of Donegal township, this county), Mary (deceased), and John F. (deceased in infancy). The mother of these children died, and in 1870 Mr. Winter was married to Sarah, daughter of William Milligan, of East Finley township, this county, and they have one son and one daughter: George K. and Udora, both living at home. Mr. Winter remained on his father's farm until some time after his marriage, when he erected a beautiful home on an adjoining piece of land, where he is now residing. He has always been a farmer and has been very successful. Politically, he was a Democrat until 1860, when he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln, since which time he has been an ardent supporter of the principles embodied in the Republican platform. He and his wife are both members of the Dutch Fork Baptist Church, to which Society he is a liberal contributor.

Text taken from page 1014 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]