Betsy STEPHENS

Female 1801 - 1890  (88 years)


Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Betsy STEPHENS 
    Born 9 Sep 1801  Fairfield, Herkimer, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Christened Tioga, Tioga, New YorK, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 1890  Orangeville, Stephenson, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 1890  Orangeville, Stephenson, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Orangeville Cemetery
    Person ID I3827  Tree 1
    Last Modified 3 Mar 2018 

    Family Ira WINCHEL,   b. 5 May 1795, Arguile, Washington, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 May 1879, Oneco, Stephenson, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years) 
    Children 
     1. Susan WINCHELL,   b. 20 Apr 1823, New York, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Oct 1893, Brodhead, Green, Wisconsin, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)  [Birth]
    Family ID F1184  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Betsy Stephens Winchell
    Betsy Stephens Winchell

  • Notes 
    • Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888), pp. 593-94

      MRS. BETSEY WINCHELL, widow of the late Ira Winchell, of Oneco Township, came to Northern Illinois in the pioneer days and has since been a witness of the remarkable progress and development of the Prairie State. She is a finely preserved old lady of eighty-six years and her genial disposition, good memory, and intelligent manner of discussing the things connected with her early life in this region, make her an interesting companion both for old and young. The main points in a life history of more than ordinary interest are mainly as follows:

      The birthplace of Mrs. Winchell was the town of Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N.Y., and the date thereof Sept. 9, 1801. Her father, Leander Stephens, of New York State, married Miss Susan, daughter of Samuel Palmer, who had been a resident of the Empire State his entire life and it is believed was born there. Their daughter Betsey remained under the parental roof until reaching womanhood, and was trained in all needful household duties, becoming familiar with the various employments of farm life. She was married at the home of her parents, March 20 1821, to Ira Winchell, a native of Washington County, N.Y., and the tenth son of Justice Winchell, a native of Vermont, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and possessed all the brave and heroic qualities of the men of that day. After the close of the struggle, he retired to a tract of land in Wayne County, N.Y., where he followed farming the remainder of his life. He had married early and the young people continued residents there for eight years, the husband engaged in farming. Then, hearing much of the rapidly growing State of Illinois, they decided to trace their steps westward in the hope of bettering their condition. The trip was made by water to Chicago and from there by teams to their present home in Oneco Township. After arriving in this county, Mr. Winchell located two claims, and a part of this land is now included in their present homestead. There was a log cabin which they occupied two years, after which they removed to section 32, where Mrs. Winchell has since resided.

      Our subject and her husband entered this county on the 12th of June, 1840. The latter proceeded at once to the cultivation of the soil, the building of fences and the erection of suitable farm buildings. He was remarkably quiet and unostentatious in his manner of living, and although keeping himself well posted on matters of general interest, could never be induced to hold office or otherwise identify himself with public affairs. His chief ambition was to provide a comfortable home for his family, and he is remembered by his household as a husband and father uniformly kind and indulgent. Before coming to the West he had served two years at the carding and cloth-dressing business, upon which he entered when a youth of seventeen. After reaching his majority he carried on business for himself until his marriage. After this event he located in Cayuga County and rented a manufactory, where the wool was spun and cloth was woven and dressed, and he was employed three years as a cloth-dresser. Subsequently they removed to Enfield, Tompkins County, where Mr. Winchell erected buildings and established a business which he conducted successfully nine years, and thus accumulated the money which he so wisely invested later in Western lands. The homestead includes 240 acres under a high state of cultivation, and there are forty acres of timber northwest of Orangeville, also belonging to the estate. Since they death of her husband Mrs. Winchell has managed her property with rare good judgment, and still looks after everything in connection therewith. The farm is cultivated by a lessee.

      Mr. and Mrs. Winchell became the parents of eight children, of whom the record is as follows: Susan, Mrs. West, is a resident of Brodhead City, Wis.; Clarissa, Mrs. Hartley, of Stephen, Kan.; Emma, Mrs. Walkey, of Slowey, Kan; George is married and engaged in day labor at Orangeville; Hiram occupies himself at farming in Oneco; Samuel, Amos and Angeline are deceased. Mrs. Winchell and her children are all church-going people, and although she frequently attends various other churches, she is connected with the Baptists. The portrait of this excellent lady, which appears on another page, finely exhibits her features, which are indicative of the tranquil disposition that dwells beneath.

      ``````````

      Freeport Herald (Freeport, Ill.), December 10, 1890, p. 4, col. 6

      ORANGEVILLE

      (From Our Own Correspondent.)

      Friday noon the dismal tones of a tolling bell pealed forth the sad tidings that another life had gone out; that another soul had gone to its Maker. Like the soft summer breeze it was whispered around that Grandmother Winchell had passed away. The death of this old lady deserves a little more than usual notice. Every man, woman and child has known her for years. To almost everyone she has been an old lady every since they can rememer. She, with her husband came to this country in an early day. They were among the first settlers. Miss Betsey Stevens was born in Herkemer Co., N.Y., Sept. 9, 1801. In her youth she must have been a very handsome girl. She was an uncommonly fine looking old lady when she died. March 22, 1820, she was married to Ira Winchell. A long, happy and prosperous life was theirs - Fifty-nine, years of married life. In 1840, with her husband, they moved to Stephenson County, Ill. Here they spent the remainder of their days. They had a fair start in life, and accumulated wealth that but few other farmers have exceeded. They were free and generous hearted. None were refused who went to them in need. Of all their lands there is left only 280 acres - when over 600 was in their own right and title at one time. Mr. Winchell died eleven years ago. Since then the old lady has been living with her children, of whom there were eight, three having died in infancy. There are sixteen grandchildren and thirty three great grand children. In religion, Mrs. Winchell leaned toward the Baptists, but after she came to Illinois she placed her name in the Methodist Church. An earnest, sincere, thorough Christian woman - she as well as her husband were always willing to give, and did give to all causes of religion and morals, with a free and open hand. For some time past she had not been enjoying the best of health, and last week her physician said she could not live long. His words were true. On Friday she died at the good old age of eighty-nine years, two months and twenty-six days. The funeral services were held Sunday morning at the M.E. church. Rev. Hicks officiating. The body was placed in the Orangeville cemetery, by the side of the companion gone before, to rest until the last day, when the trumpet shall sound, and the dead be no more.

      Family Members
      Spouse
      Photo
      Ira Winchell
      1795?1879

      Children
      Photo
      Susan Winchell West*
      1823?1893

      Clarissa Winchell Hartley*
      1824?1901

      Photo
      Emma A Winchell Walkey*
      1833?1909

      Photo
      George S Winchell*
      1835?1927

      Photo
      Hiram P Winchell*
      1839?1911

      Photo
      Angeline Winchell*
      1844?1845



This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding v. 13.0.1, written by Darrin Lythgoe © 2001-2024.

Maintained by D Vejtru.