Winne Family History & Genealogy

Lucas Davis Winne was born February 13, 1815 in Kingston, Montgomery County, New York. He was the son of Major James Winne and Jemima Van Sice; both parents were descendants of early New York Dutch settlers. Lucas married Angelica Pulver on October 8, 1832 in Fonda, Montgomery Co., New York and several years later had the first of 9 children, all born in Montgomery County. The following article was written about Lucas and his family sometime after 1881, and can be found in

"Portrait and Biographical Album of Clinton County, Iowa", pages 650-651:

"This highly esteemed citizen of Eden Township and an honored pioneer of the State, is a native of New York, and was born in Montgomery County, February 13, 1815, so that he has now arrived at the good old age of over threescore and ten years. He was the oldest child of James and Jemima (Van Cise) Winne. Their household included five sons and five daughters, nine of whom are still living.
James Winne was a farmer by occupation, the name of his father was also Lucas, and he was descended from a long line of honorable German ancestry. They were among the early settlers of the Empire State, and the family lived near Kingston, carrying on the pursuit of agriculture and stock-raising. James Winne lived on the old homestead, whither he had removed from Kingston with his parents when he was six years of age, and remained there until his death, which took place about 1870. His wife had proceeded him to the unknown land about 1858.

Lucas Davis Winne was educated in the public schools of his native county, and assisted his father on the farm until his marriage, which occurred Oct. 8, 1832. His bride was Miss Angelica Pulver, the daughter of William and Barbara Pulver. After this event he settled on a farm near the old homestead and was occupied in agriculture until his removal to Iowa in the fall of 1854. He proceeded to Clinton Township, purchased a tract of land on section 31 of Eden Township, and assumed the difficulties, toils and hardships of the pioneer settler.

His first purchase consisted of 400 acres which cost about $8 per acre. It was wild prairie land and very little of the soil had ever been touched by a plowshare. There was incessant and laborious toil before him, but he courageously set himself to work and prepared his land for the raising of marketable produce. From its primitive condition he has brought about such a change that it is now one of the most fertile farms in that portion of the county. When he came into possession of it about 20 acres of it had been broken, and in the midst of this stood a double log home. Into this the family entered, and in a short time established themselves comfortably and proceeded to the duties of the hour.

The present handsome dwelling house bears a fine comparison to the early habitation of Mr. Winne and his family, and is a vivid illustration of what industry and perseverance may accomplish. It is surrounded by a beautifully shaded lawn and other outhouses are neat and tasteful to a remarkable degree. Mr. Winne at present is largely interested in stock-raising, and his domestic animals compromise herds of finely-bred cattle, thorough-bred horses and Poland-China swine, and of these he exhibits some of the best animals in this part of the Hawkeye State.
The family circle comprises the children, as follows:
Edmund B., married Miss Harriet Nichols; he was a soldier in the Union army and gave up his life for his country in the hospital near Vicksburg. Jemima, deceased, was the wife of Nelson Miller, and the mother of 6 children John Henry, resides in Dakota; Mary Jane became the wife of Michael Traver, and their home is at La Grange, Ill.; Jacob died at the age of two and 1/2years; James was married to Miss Della Biglow, and their home is in Adams County, Nebraska; Josephine and William S. are twins, the former is the wife of Andrew Taylor and resides with her husband in Wayne Co., Nebraska; William S. married for his first wife, Miss Deborah Stoller; she died, and he then married Miss Rebecca Pierce. He resides on the old homestead, a part of which he cultivates.

Mrs. Angelica Winne departed this life Dec. 12, 1881. With her husband she was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they had been connected for many years, and to which they contributed cheerfully and liberally of their means.

Mr. Winne is a conscientious Republican in politics, and during the Rebellion was a staunch and enthusiastic Union man. He held the office of Captain, as a commissioned officer for six years, under Govs. Seward and and Masey, of New York State. He cheerfully sent his sons to fight for the preservation of the Union, and when called upon to suffer loss and bereavement in the death of one of them, be bravely bore the affliction and was patient under the sacrifice. As a man and citizen, Mr. Winne has won the warm esteem and the deep respect of his community, and the estimation in which it holds him should be to him ample reward for all that he has suffered, all that he has been deprived of, and all the fatigue and toil of the early pioneer days."