*****Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. This message must appear on all copied files. Commercial copying must have permission. ***** Submitted by Mary Del Rivett BYRON CENTER, MICHIGAN FROM LOCAL NEWSPAPER *****Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. This message must appear on all copied files. Commercial copying must have permission. ***** Submitted by Mary Del Rivett BYRON PIONEER TELLS OF THE DAY-- ISAAC MILTON WINEGAR Looking backward over the years that have gone, and telling his children and grand children thrilling stories of the pioneer days in Michigan is a favorite pastime of Isaac Milton Winegar, who is enjoying the closing chapter of his eventful life amid the lovely surroundings of his farm home in Byron Township. Vigorous and as mentally active as though he were half his age--he has passed his 82nd birthday anniversary-Mr. Winegar never tires of recalling the days when the ox-cart was the chief means of travel in Michigan. New York has given many of its pioneer citizens to Michigan, and the father and brother of Isaac left their home at Crane's Corners, ner Herkimer and traveled by canal boat to Buffalo. That was in 1845. From Buffalo to Detroit the trip was made in a slow going flat boat. Detroit was quite advanced-a railroad train was a novelty and went as far as the tract permitted. Each day passengers could get a little farther as the progress of the road permitted and the Winegar brothers were bound for Grand Rapids where they planned to locate. They bought their railroad tickets in Detroit and the tickets read :As far as the train goes". Their train got as far as Marshall from Detroit when it was announced that those who wished to ride 12 miles further could do so, but that it was at a risk as the iron rails had not been built and wooden rails were to be used. That was the first train that reached Marshall from Detroit and the two Winegar brothers were passengers on the memorable ride. They hired an ox team and cart and drove from Marshall to Grand Rapids. After looking around the country they located in Byron Township where the Winegar family has held property ever since. Meantime the family of Isaac Winegar was back in Crane's corners waiting for the father to clear up a place in the wilderness and return to bring them back to their future home in Michigan. Isaac Milton was then a lad of six and a year later his father returned to New York and moved his family to Byron Township. The elder Winegar was harness and saddle maker. He packed the most necessary articles of household furniture in two great chests and taking the wheels off his wagon placed the chests within with the wheels on top, got aboard a canal boat and traversed the same route he had taken the previous year to Detroit. In Detroit the wagon was put together and a team was hired to convey the family to Byron. There young Isaac grew to manhood and in due time married. His bride was Margaret Fleetwood of Liverpool, England whose family came to Michigan when she was a small child. Mrs. Winegar, who is 73 years of age, like her husband, loves to recall the pioneer days in Michigan, before electrical, household appliances had made house work a playful task in comparison with the drudgery of the old-fashioned log house. In the early days the elder Mr. and Mrs. Winegar lived in a log house, but in a few years Mr. Winegar manufactured brick on his farm and with his own hands built the first brick house in Byron township. The house still stands and is in use as a residence on the farm where Milton Winegar spent his boyhood. The ox-cart road which followed an Indian trail over which the pioneer Winegars drove to their home in Byron is still to be seen. Close by is another trail which leads to the site of the first school in the township which Isaac Winegar attended as a boy, often encountering a friendly bear on the way. Mr. Winegar calls himself " The Last Leaf'. All of his family have gone to the Great Beyond, and as he sits and contemplates the progress Michigan has made since he came to the wilderness it is no wonder he feels lonesome for the friends who have gone and the scenes of long ago. ISAAC WINEGAR biographical sketch of Isaac Winegar as found in the History of Kent County Michigan by Charles C. Chapman and Co. 1881 Isaac Winegar, son of Isaac and Leah (Vosburg) Winegar, was born January 12, 1816, in Chenango Co., N,Y. He is a descendant of Ulric Winegar, the earliest ancestor to whom the family have been able to trace kinship with directness and certainty. The latter, "pioneer and patriarch" of the Winegar family in America, was a native of Switzerland. In 1710, he came to America with the colony known as the "Palatines," under the protection of Queen Ann. The tract of land on which he settled in Hudson river is known to this day as "Winegar's land." He went in 1724 to Oblong, now Amenia, Dutchess Co., N.Y., where he died in 1750, aged 102 years. He left several daughters and one son, Garrett Winegar, who was born in Germany in 1702, and at the age of 22 married Catherine Snyder. He also settled at Oblong, where he built the first sawmill and died in 1755. His will made provision for his wife and 14 children, nine sons and five daughters. Samuel winegar, seventh son of Garrett Winegar and grandfather of Issac Winegar, died early in the present century, leaving the following children: Asenath, Jeremiah, Gideon, Thomas, Issac, Susan and Polly. He was also a miller by occupation. Isaac, the youngest son, was the father of Mr. Winegar, of this sketch. The latter was reared to agricultural pursuits and at 22 engaged in harness-making, taking it up from choice, without prvious instruction in it details; after taking it up by choice, without previous instruction in it details; afterward worked at it as a journeyman, was acknowledged to be a superior workman. His shop was at Crane's Corners. Afterward he began to work as a carpenter independent of an apprenticeship, and has followed it since 1845. He did a great amount of work on his own residence, and planned and built his own barn, a structure 32 by 44 feet and 16 feet from sill to plate. Mr. Winegar was married in Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y. Dec. 31, 1840, to Sarah F. daughter of Alden and Susannah W. (Gess) Whitcomb, born in Litchfield, Feb. 18 1826. Of five children born to them, two are living-- Issac M., born in Litchfield, Apr. 11, 1842 and Edith M. born in Bryon, sept. 8, 1866. Mr. Winegar came to Michigan in the fall of 1845 and bought 80 acres of land, perfectly wild, with no traces of civilization. He now owns 100 acres on sec. 28 and 53 1/2 on Sec. 29, with 80 acres under improvement, the result of his own labor. He also owns two lots and a residence on Main Street, at Bryron Center. Mr. Winegar received a limited education and set out in the world without aid; has earned himself a comfortable independence and a name that will pass to his posterity as that of a man without reproach. He was a Lieut. in the 27th Reg. N.Y. State Inf. commissioned in 1844. He is and has been for a number of years Justice of the Peace, and is connected with the Odd Fellows Encampment at Salem Center. for further information on the Winegar name --any spelling contact Mr. Arthur Goold 412 Plum st. N. Northfield, MN 55057