Delbert Martin Winchell, 1885

Transcribed by Janet

Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI; by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge, pg.298 - 299.

Surname: WINCHELL, FERGUSON, HUNT, KAYHART, KRAKENBERGER, ELDER

     Mr. & Mrs. Delbert M. Winchell

DELBERT MARTIN WINCHELL, a successful dairy farmer of Mayville Township, section 2, was born on his present homestead, Aug. 28, 1885, son of Albert and Martha (Ferguson) Winchell. The father was from New York State and was a veteran of the Civil War, serving four years in the light artillery, subsequently becoming a member of the G. A. R. Post at Dorchester, this county. After his honorable discharge from the army, he bought eighty acres near Bloomfield, Wis., and then later, in 1878, removed Plainfield. After remaining at the latter place two years, he came in 1880, Mayville Township, Clark County, and homesteaded the land now constituting the farm of his son Delbert, it being then a tract of timber land of 160 acres. To this place he drove from Colby with oxen, cutting his way through the woods. He then built a log cabin and took up the arduous tasks of a pioneer farmer.

In the course of time he made good progress and developed a profitable farm, building the present residence in 1885 and also erecting other buildings as they were needed. At an early date he foresaw the growth of the dairy industry and gave special attention to it, keeping Jersey cattle and shipping his cream to Ashland. He was the first in the vicinity of Dorchester to buy a cream separator, this being about 1896. His religious affiliations were the Methodist Episcopal Church. Albert Winchell died Nov. 9, 1913, at the age of 77 years.

His wife, who survives him, resides in Dorchester. They had ten children: Charles, now deceased. Frank, who died while serving as a soldier in the Spanish-American War; Ida, now Mrs. Al Hunt, of Dorchester; Edna, wife of Herman Will of Little Black, Wis.; Ada, wife of Wilbur Kayhart, of Marathon County, Wis.; Joseph, residing in Mayville Township, this county; Dwight, who lives in Indiana; Eva, Addie and Arthur, who are deceased; and Delbert M., proprietor of the home farm. Delbert M. Winchell was married April 3, 1907, to Clara Krakenberger, who was born in Dorchester, Clark County, Feb. 15, 1888, daughter of George and Caroline (Edler) Krakenberger. D. M. Winchell graduated from Dorchester grade school, class 1903.

One year after his marriage Mr. Winchell left home and rented a farm in the neighborhood, which he operated for three years. He then returned to the home farm, as his father, whose health was failing, was not able to attend to the work. In 1913 he built a 60-ton silo and from time to time has made other improvements, keeping the property in good shape. He is now engaged in raising graded Guernsey cattle, milking eleven cows with the intention of gradually increasing the number, as he has done in the past. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative creamery at Stetsonville, Wis. He and his wife are the parents of five children born as follows: Harold, Oct. 21, 1909; Vernetta, May 18, 1911; Eunice, Feb. 6, 1912; Nora, Feb. 18, 1915, and Donavin, born April 18, 1917. Mr. Winchell is a stockholder in the Dorchester Co-operative Mercantile Co.

        Mr. & Mrs. Albert Winchell