Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1733:

WINTER, WILLIAM E. - The many advantages afforded by Springfield as a place of residence has influenced a number of men to settle there when they decide to retire from the activities of life. A well known and popular retired business man of the city is William E. Winter. He was born in Swanley, Kent, England, December 16, 1851, a son of Robert and Mary (Pucknaw) Winter, natives of Kent. The father who became manager of gas works in Kent, lived and died there as did his wife. They had six children, evenly divided as to sex, and five still survive. The grandfather on the paternal side was a shepherd, while the maternal grandfather owned a large estate in Kent.

After a boyhood spent attending school in his native place, William E. Winter worked during seven years in a paper factory in Kent, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world, but on July 9, 1869, he landed in New York City, having decided that this country would offer him the best opportunities for advancement. From New York he came direct to Auburn, Ill., where for about a month he worked on a farm, then went to Macon, Ill., where the found employment on another farm, continuing there a year. His next employment was with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, remaining in its employ a short time, when he came to Springfield. There he became cook at the Chenery House, leaving soon thereafter, to become a pastry cook for the Leland Hotel. After a year, he left to embark in a confectionery business for himself, conducting it two years, when he sold out and engaged as engineer in the Springfield Rolling Mills, remaining in this capacity seven years, when, feeling the need of relaxation, he went back to England. For two years he remained there, but found that conditions had changed, and came back to Springfield to his old position as engineer, working in the Illinois Foundry. After several years there, he went into the Wabash shops, but sometime afterwards left, to enter the Egyptian Cement Works. After ten years there he retired, and since then has been enjoying a well earned rest. Mr. Winter belongs to The Court of Honor, No. 25, and is interested in its work.

On June 30, 1873, Mr. Winter was married in Springfield to Mary Pefferle, born a Napanoch, N. Y., July 6, 1853. The parents of Mrs. Winter came to Springfield in 1863. Her father was a machinist and worked at his trade all his life. He was accidentally killed in a runaway, in 1887. By birth he was a German, but his wife was born in New York City. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Winter: Gilbert resides in Springfield, being pressman in the Illinois State Journal office; Flora, wife of Jesse Harris, lives at Silvis, Ill.; Walter is a machinist in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company; Harry is also in the employ of the same road as machinist; Etta, wife of George Burns, who is in the employ of the Gorey Spool Company; Iva is at home. There are six grandchildren in the family. Mr. Winter owns his home at NO. 1729 Stuart Street, where he has lived for the past twenty-nine years. He owns other valuable property in Springfield, which yields him a comfortable income. While a true Englishman, Mr. Winter is interested in the land where he has lived so long, and in which he has made his money. Like many of the retired men of Springfield, he is interested in securing a good government, and is always willing to do his full share towards securing it.