BIOGRAPHY: Benjamin Franklin Winegar; Auburn, Cayuga co., New York

transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com)

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA
COUNTY NEW YORK
BOSTON
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY
1894

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WINEGAR, a prominent wholesale merchant of Auburn, was
born in this city May 24, 1853, and is the son of Zachariah S. and Hannah
(Hathorn) Winegar. The Winegar family is of German descent, tracing their
ancestry back to the time of Oliver Winegar, the progenitor of the family in
America. Oliver was born in Switzerland in 1648, where he lived until he
arrived at manhood, when he moved to Wiirtemberg, Germany, and married a
Miss Arnold, one son and several daughters being born to them. In 1710 the
son joined the colony of Palatines who emigrated to  New York under the
fostering care of Queen Anne of England, settling at first near Germantown,
on the Hudson River, where they remained until 1724. He reared a large
family; but only one son reached manhood, Captain Garrett Winegar, who moved
to Hitchcock's Corner and built the first flour-mill which ground the grain
of the early settlers of Sharon. He was a highly respected man, and held
several offices. He was born in Germany in 1702, and died in this country in
1755. Philip Winegar, the grandfather of Benjamin, was one of the early
pioneers of the county, clearing the land and starting a saw and woollen
mill, the first in that district. He was also engaged in the canal-boat
industry. He was one of the most prominent and influential men of his day,
serving acceptably on the Board of Supervisors. The grandmother, Miss Lydia
Mosher, was a Quakeress of English descent, and lived to the advanced age of
ninety-two years.

 Zachariah S. Winegar was born at Union Springs, Cayuga County, in 1820,
and early began to work in the woollen mills, where he learned the practical
part of his trade, his brothers, Essek M. and George W., also learning the
business, another brother, Caleb, becoming an attorney and inventor. He had
also two sisters — Sara L., who married John Sleeper, of Kalamazoo, Mich.;
and Margaret, who married Isaac Eldridge, of Chicago. Mr. Winegar came to
Auburn with his father about the year 1848, and bought the property long
known as the Winegar Mills, making extensive alterations, and occupying it
as a woollen manufactory; this being the first real woollen manufactory in
Auburn. After the sale of the property in 1860 Mr. Winegar continued with
the purchasers until 1870 in the capacity of superintendent, having spent
his whole life as a woollen manufacturer in this county. He was an Assessor
of the city for several years, but was never an active politician. Mrs.
Winegar came of an old and well-known family, her grandfather being a
participant in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Winegar had a family of
seven children, namely : Frances M., deceased; Benjamin Franklin; Helen,
deceased; Sarah E., wife of Marvin E. Sargent; Clara, wife of C. E. Harwood;
George H., of Oakland, Me.; and Ella, wife of J. Webb Griffin, of Chicago.

 Benjamin Franklin Winegar was educated at the public schools of this city,
and was at first employed in a store, afterward going to the Auburn
Manufacturing Company, and remaining with them until 1875, when he went into
business with John Elliott, his father-in-law, as dealers in hides, pelts,
and tallow, continuing the partnership until the death of Mr. Elliott in
1885, when he assumed control of the business, which gives employment to a
large number of men. Mr. Winegar was elected on the Republican ticket to
serve his ward as Alderman during the years 1890 and 1891, all of his family
being strong and stanch Republicans. He served on the Committees of Police
and Licenses, and was Chairman of the Lamps and Lighting Committee. He was
elected a Police Commissioner in the spring of 1892 for a term of two years,
which position he has held with credit to himself and acceptably to the
people. He has always been an active worker for his party, attending all the
conventions, such as county, Congressional, and Senatorial,  as delegate at
large.

 He has also at different times been on the Republican City Committee and
Central Committee, and likewise takes a great interest in the Auburn Gun
Club, of which he is a member.

 Mr. Winegar was married September 3, 1873, to Miss Clara B., a daughter of
Mr. John Elliott, one of the best-known business men of the city, and has
two children; namely, Benjamin F., Jr., and Ethel H. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Winegar are members and supporters of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

 Mr. Winegar is known as one of the most successful business men in the
city of Auburn, a position which he has attained through his own efforts;
and, although his work necessitates much of his personal attention, he has
yet found time to serve his city in a thorough and faithful manner in an
official capacity. He is now serving as Chief Clerk of the Auburn prison, by
appointment of James A. Roberts, State Comptroller of New York.