Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Winterbottom, John ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 1:00 pm Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900 John Winterbottom Those sturdy English traits which constitute an element of strength and excellence in our American character are exemplified in the subject of this sketch, who until his recent retirement from active farming and removal to the city of Morris was a farmer on section 17, Goose Lake Township, Grundy county. John Winterbottom was born in Lancashire, England, June 30, 1842, a son of William and Martha (Booth) Winterbottom and a grandson of James Winterbottom, who fought at the battle of Waterloo. William Winterbottom, also a native of Lancashire, England, was born in 1821. He came to the United States many years ago and settled near Lisbon, Kendall county, Illinois, where he was a prominent and successful farmer until his death, which occurred in Kansas in 1874. His wife, also born in Lancashire, England, in 1821, died in England, at the age of seventy-five years. Three of their children are living: John, the first born, James and William. Three daughters, named Elizabeth, Eliza and Ellen, died in England when very young. James and William remained in England. James, who is the superintendent of a large system of chemical works in London, is married and has children. William, who is an artist and a member of the Royal Artists’ Society and has attained eminence in his profession, lives with his wife and children in London. John Winterbottom obtained his education at the place of his birth in Lancashire, England, and came to America at the age of seventeen, arriving at Morris, Illinois, April 12, 1859. For a few years he was employed on the farm of his uncle, Joseph Wild, in Nettle Creek township. In 1870 he removed to the city of Morris, where he opened a machine and gunsmith’s shop on Liberty street, which he conducted successfully for nearly a quarter of a century. Mr. Winterbottom then removed to his farm of five hundred and sixty acres in section 17, Goose Lake township, and again took up farming. A man of influence and of sound judgment he gained the confidence of his fellow townsmen to such a degree that he was elected a justice of the peace and the president of the school board of his township and a trustee of Oak Ridge cemetery. When the country of his adoption needed men who would risk their lives in its defense at the time of our civil war, Mr. Winterbottom responded to the call promptly and patriotically. He enlisted in Company I, Sixty-ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and when the term of his service expired re- enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles and campaigns in which those organizations took part and proved himself in every way a brave and true soldier, devoted to the flag under which he had found citizenship and prosperity. Though he has been for most of his life a busy man, Mr. Winterbottom has found time to keep himself in touch with the progress of the world, especially in the department of mechanical science; and he has been a constant reader of the best mechanicals journals. He is also a student of natural history and is an amateur astronomer of no mean attainments. Mr. Winterbottom married Mary Williams, December 20, 1876. Miss Williams was a daughter of Jacob and Ann Williams, of Felix township, Grundy county, both natives of Wales. Jacob Williams was born August 23, 1820, and died at Morris, this county. His wife was born August 20, 1819, and died in Grundy county, April 21, 1873. They had seven children, only one of whom is living. Of these, Henry was born in Wales and died in infancy; Mary, who married Mr. Winterbottom, died at their farm in Goose Lake township, July 26, 1898, and is buried at St. George’s cemetery, at Morris, where she was a member and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a constant attendant at its services; George, who was born and died in Grundy county, married Miss Adelia White, of Felix township, and they had one child, Anna; Emma, born in Grundy county, is the wife of Edward Robinson, a retired farmer of Kansas City, Missouri; Maggie was born in Grundy county and died there, aged twenty- one; and John, a native of Grundy county, died there aged about twenty. All of the family who are deceased except Mrs. Winterbottom lie buried in Oak Ridge cemetery, Felix township, Grundy county. Five children, all of whom are living, were born to John and Mary (Williams) Winterbottom. They are here mentioned in the order of their birth: William R., born October 30, 1877, lives on and manages his father’s farm in Goose Lake township, Grundy county; Russell W., born August 31, 1880, is an engineer, but is now farming on his father’s farm; Martha Ann, born September 22, 1883, is a member of her father’s household, as are also Emma L., born August 23, 1886, and Maggie J., born July 3, 1889. Mr. Winterbottom is a self-made man, the stepping-stones to whose success have been honesty, industry, thrift and perseverance. He early realized the value of a good reputation for moral and commercial integrity, and as his instincts were all good he easily won such a reputation and has retained it through all the vicissitudes of life, as a citizen, as a soldier and as a public official. His straightforward career has entitled him richly to the full measure of good fortune, which has crowned his endeavors, and he is passing his closing years honored and respected by all who know him. Additional Comments: Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p462-464 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/winterbo17gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb