Biographical Sketch of John Winfrey, Johnson County, Missouri
Jackson Township
>From "The History of Johnson County, Missouri," 
Kansas City Historical Co. 1881

JOHN WINFREY,

farmer and stock-raiser, P.O. Pittsville.  Mr. Winfrey was born in North
Carolina, September 10, 1820.  His father, Thomas Winfrey, died just
before he was of age, in February, 1838.  His mother died in February,
1840.  There were brothers and sisters as follows: Nancy, John, Simon,
Caleb, Eunice, Isaac and Thomas H.  Three are  dead: Simon, Isaac and
Thomas.  The other four are living in Missouri. John Winfrey, our
subject, came to Missouri in April, 1851, and settled on a farm, a part
of which he bought, and a part he entered, and has since resided there,
and his intelligence, integrity, and generosity have secured to him
the respect of all who know him.  He was married, December 15, 1842, to
Miss Jane A. Martin.  They have no children of their own, but have
generously opened their hearts and home to the care of orphan children,
which admirable quality deserves special mention.  During their stay in
Missouri the following persons, once orphaned children, five in number,
have been special objects of their care, all of whom they reared from
youth up to manhood, respectability and woman's noblest sphere:  William
Carlyle and his sister, Lydia, were the first.  William was five years
old when this good couple took him to their home.  He is now a prominent
and well-to-do farmer, near to his foster home.  William Sparks and
his sister, Mary R., were the next who went to live with them.
William's education was not neglected.  He attended the State Normal
School at Warrensburg, and is now one of the prominent teachers of
Jackson township, and also a member of the Baptist church, and worker in
the Sunday school of that church at Elm Spring.  Jessie Alexander was
the fifth and last homeless orphan which this estimable couple cared
for.  He was quite young when they took him, and still lives with them.
He is a relative of Gen. Morgan, of late war fame.  Mr. Winfrey has been
justice of the peace for twenty-one years.  He was postmaster of Basin
Knob postoffice for eleven years.   He and his wife are both members of
the Baptist denomination, and hold their membership with the Elm Spring
congregation.  In politics he is one of the leading republicans of his
township.

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