Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Winsor, William Henry 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 8:37 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Winsor, William Henry (deceased) – While Grundy County boasts some of the best 
citizens to be found in the State, a number who helped to bring about the 
present prosperous conditions here have passed from this earthly sphere, but 
their memories are still cherished, and their deeds are not forgotten. One of 
these men who was a good representative of the best class of agriculturalists 
of this section, was the late Henry William Winsor. He was born on the Isle of 
Man, March 27, 1859, a son of Thomas and Martha (Mann) Winsor, who came to 
Grundy County in June, 1860, after an ocean voyage of twelve weeks. From New 
York City they made their way on the canal and Great Lakes to Chicago. The 
father was a farmer and coal miner, as well as brick and tile maker, and 
worked hard at whatever came to his hand. Both he and his wife passed away at 
Morris, having seen the first train of cars run through that city. He also 
made the brick for many of the early buildings of Morris, including the 
present Commercial Hotel.

When he was twenty-one years old, having in the meanwhile acquired a common 
school education. Mr. Winsor began farming with his brother, John, and thus 
continued until his marriage, when he bought 240 acres of land in Vienna 
Township. He tiled and otherwise improved the place, and operated it until 
1907, when, on account of ill-health, he was forced to leave the farm, and 
then bought a residence in Morris.

On February 6, 1879, Mr. Winsor was married to Frances A. Vanderpool, born in 
Morris, November 29, 1858, daughter of John and Maria (Rockwood) Vanderpool, 
natives of New York and Vermont, respectively. They came to Grundy County when 
the Indians were still here, and settled in Norman Township, where they died, 
after years of hard work on the farm. Mrs. Vanderpool entertained the 
celebrated Indian Shabbona at an early date. Mr. Vanderpool was also 
blacksmith and was a great temperance worker. Mr. and Mrs. Winsor became the 
parents of two children: Elsie May, wife of A. M. Wallace, living on the home 
farm, and they have one child, Everett Winsor, born November 15, 1903; and 
Vera Marie, born April 25, 1888, who died October 23, 1908.

On March 2, 1909, Mr. Winsor passed away, rounding out a blameless, useful 
life, and is tenderly remembered by his widow and daughter. Mrs. Winsor has 
lived alone in her home at Morris since the death of her husband. Mr. Winsor 
was for many years very active in the work of the Methodist Church, and served 
in the office of steward. A Republican, he was a school director for fifteen 
years, and always took interest in educational matters. A man of strict 
integrity, he gave to others what he demanded for himself, a square deal, and 
won and held a high position among his fellow citizens.

page 927

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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