Biographical Sketch of David C. WINDLE (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 338-40. "DAVID C. WINDLE, a veteran of the civil war, now serving as prothonotary of Chester county, is a worthy representative of an old family which has always taken an active part in public affairs, and many of whom have held important official positions in the county. He is a son of David and Mary (Morgan) Windle, and was born in East Marlborough township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, on October 23, 1843. The Windles are descended from old English stock, and have been residents of this Commonwealth for many gen- erations. "Francis Windle, the great-grandfather of David C., was born in England, but while yet a boy he left his native shores, and soon after landing in America, located in East Marlborough township, this county, where he pur- chased a farm in 1742, on which he resided until his death, September 26, 1788, aged nearly seventy-eight years. He was a farmer by occupation, and in religion a Friend, or Quaker. On April 14, 1733, he married Mary Jackson, a daughter of Isaac and Ann Jackson, of Londongrove. Their chil- dren were Thomas, Ann, William (grandfather), John, David, Moses, Isaac, James and Mary. "William Windle was born in East Marlborough, and passed his entire life in that township. He was active and successful in his business, a Quaker in religious belief, and in politics a member of the old Federal party, out of which afterward grew the Democratic party. He married and reared a family, among whom was David Windle (father), who was born in East Marl- borough township in 1786, and died there in 1870, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In early life he learned the trade of mason, and fol- lowed that occupation until his marriage, after which he purchased the old homestead property and devoted the remainder of his life to agricul- tural pursuits. In politics a whig, he followed the traditions of his family in religious matters, and was an earnest and faithful member of the Society of Friends. He married Mary Morgan, by whom he had a family of nine children: Rebecca, who died at the early age of eighteen years; William, a farmer now residing in Kennett township, this county; Mary Elma, the wife of William A. Cloud, a merchant of the city of West Chester; John M., who enlisted in the 2d Pennsylvania infantry, on the first call for volunteers in 1861, and immediately on the expiration of his term of service, re-enlisted in Co. A of the 124th regiment, Pennsyl- vania volunteers, serving as orderly sergeant, and being wounded at the battle of Antietam, and who is now a farmer residing in Newlin township, this county; David C., the subject of this sketch; Francis, who enlisted in Co. E, 3d Pennsylvania heavy artillery in 1864, and served till the close of the war, being one of the men detailed to guard Jefferson Davis, when that Confederate chieftain had been captured, and who afterward studied law and became district attorney for the county of Chester; M. Jennie, now employed as teacher in the kindergarten school of the city of West Chester; Sidney, who died in early life, aged two years; and Thomas A., who became a farmer, married Clara Taylor, and now lives in East Marlborough township, this county. "David C. Windle received his education principally under the instruction of Isaac Martin, and the Unionville academy, at that time under the care of Prof. Milton Durnall. In August, 1862, when only eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Co. F, 124th Pennsylvania infantry, and took part in the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, and at Chancellorsville. After his first term expired he served two months with the emergency men, being connected with the 29th regiment, and then re-enlisted in the 3d Pennsylvania heavy artillery and served until the close of the war. He was engaged in the siege of Richmond, took part in the various movements around that city, and assisted in guarding Jefferson Davis while the latter was held a prisoner at Fortress Monroe. Mr. Windle was discharged from the service November 9, 1865, as sergeant, and returned to his old home in Chester county. Here he engaged in farming for a time, but subse- quently went to East Fallowfield township, where he began teaching, and devoted some five years to educational work in that locality. He has continued his connection with agricultural pursuits, however, and still owns a fine farm, located in West Goshen township. "In politics Mr. Windle has always been a stanch republican, taking an active and intelligent interest in all questions of public concern. He served as school director of his township for three terms, and two terms in East Fallowfield, and was tax collector for the district in which he resides. In the fall of 1890 he was elected to the responsible position of prothonotary of Chester county, and has ever since discharged the duties of that office with a carefulness and ability that reflects credit upon himself and renders satisfaction to all who have business before the courts of the county. "On March 25, 1869, Mr. Windle was married to Anna Thomas, a daughter of Emmor Thomas, of West Goshen township, this county. To their union was born a family of six children - three sons and three daughters: Charles T., now serving as deputy prothonotary of Chester county, in his father's office; Florence M., Lucy A., Frederick F., Ernest G., and Alice C. Mrs. Windle is an estimable lady, and was engaged in teaching prior to her marriage. "During all his life Mr. Windle has manifested a lively interest in lit- erary matters and kindred subjects, and ever since his early military experience has been quite a student of history. For a quarter of a cen- tury he has been connected with various literary societies, and is an original thinker, a concise writer, and a pleasant speaker. He is a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and is at present serving as superintendent of the Goshen Friends' First-day school. He is a member of McCall Post, No. 31, Grand Army of the Republic, and is greatly respected by his fellow citizens, as much for his excellent qualities of heart as for his fine mental acquirements."