John W. Winslett
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana Archives,maintained by burns@asu.edu

John W. Winslett came to Montana in 1865 and consequently 
holds rank with the pioneers of the state. Of his life we 
make the following brief record:John W. Winslett was born 
in Jasper County Georgia, July 13, 1821. His ancestors 
were English people who settled in the South some years 
previous to the Revolution, and in that war his great-
grandfather was a participant. John Carson Winslett, the 
father of John W. was born in Jasper County Georgia, 
March 4, 1799 and in his native state was married to 
Susan Stewart. In 1829 they removed to Alabama where 
the father continued his occupation, that of planter, 
until 1848 at which time his death occurred.In Alabama 
John W. Winslett was reared. He received only a limited 
education in private schools. He served sixmonths in the 
Cherokee War under Captain Jenkins, in the Barbour 
Rangers, soon after leaving school and after this was 
employed as overseer on plantations for several years 
in Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana. At times he had as 
many as seventy-five slaves under his supervision. In 
1849 when gold fever spread over the country, he was
one of its victims and in 1850 made the journey by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama to the new El Dorado. He 
mined on the Yuba and American Rivers and was in 
California three years before he learned to find 
gold successfully; but finally succeeded and made 
as high as $50.00 a day in the mines. During the 
fall and winter of 1851 he kept a hotel in Nevada 
City and while he was thus occupied the whole town 
was swept away by fire, he not only losing 
everything he had but also being left about $2,500 
in debt. He then mined again to get a fresh start, 
got straightened out andin business again and again 
suffered loss by fire. Such was the experience of 
many of the early pioneers of California--up today 
and down tomorrow.In 1858 when the Redwood Indians 
made war against the whites, Mr. Winslett 
volunteered and served six months and while on 
duty received a shot in the groin, from the effects 
of which he was laid up a few months. The Indians 
were subdued and place upon a reservation but a 
year later they renewed their depredations and 
again were quelled by the soldiers. In the meantime 
much property belonging to the whites had been 
destroyed, Mr. Winslett being burned out and being 
a heavy loser. Mr. John K. Houk was at this time 
his partner and they not only lost their property 
but also both were severely wounded. After their 
unfortunate experience in California, they went to 
Boise Basin Idaho and engaged in mining and from there 
came to Stevensville Montana arriving July 25, 1865. 
Here, in a little pole cabin they opened a general 
supply store and began dealing with the Indians. 
They met with prosperity on every hand and continued 
to do a successful business until 1875. For eighteen 
years Mr. Winslett and Mr. Houk had been partners 
and during that time the warmest friendship existed 
between them. They were the pioneer merchants of 
Stevensville and during their business career made a 
large acquaintance and won the respect and esteem of 
all with whom they had dealings. But Mr. Winslett's 
kindness of heart brought him into financial
embarrassment. He had gone security for a friend and 
thereby lost $7,000.After meeting with the above 
loss, Mr. Winslett disposed of his interest in the 
store and turned his attention to the sheep 
industry in which he met with success having as 
high as 3,500 sheep at one time. While he was 
absent in California to buy sheep, his property, 
amounting to about $15,000 was sold for a 
security debt at a great sacrifice,which might 
have been avoided had he not been traveling so 
steadily that letters could not reach him. Advantage
was taken of this very circumstance. In 1889 there 
came a drought and a plague of grasshoppers and 
again he suffered heavy losses. Then he located 
169 acres of land, five miles northeast of Stevensville 
and upon it heresided for some time. Later he purchased 
160 acres four miles above this tract. Both of these
 places he stillowns, his principle products from 
that being wheat, oats and hay.Mr. Winslett was 
married in 1861 to Mrs. Louisa Cunningham, a daughter 
of Mr. Fogle. As they never had any children of their
 own, they adopted a little girl whom they named 
Mary E. Winslett. She was born in California and was
 two years old at the time they adopted her. After 
a few years Mrs. Winslett died. Mr. Winslett and 
his daughter have since resided together, the 
latter being one of Stevensville's stylish dressmakers 
and owner of considerable real estate. She also has a
 number of horses on the ranch.In his early life Mr. 
Winslett was a Whig but later became identified with 
the Democratic Party. While in California he served as 
Deputy Sheriff four years under John P. Jones, now 
Senator from Nevada and also for atime was Justice 
of the Peace. He was made a Mason in Missoula 
Montana in 1867 and for the past eighteen years 
has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South.

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