NORTHERN NEW YORK
Genealogical and family history of northern New York: a record of the achievements of her people
in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation.
New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co. 1910.
WINDECKER
Transcribed by Coralynn Brown
This family was founded in Lewis county by Jacob Windecker, father of John and Jacob. Jacob Sr. married Margaret Rhone.
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(II) John, son of Jacob Windecker, was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., about the year 1800. He was reared a farmer, and on attaining his majority left Herkimer and settled in Lewis county. He chose a location in the town of Harrisburg, then a wilderness, cleared a farm and founded a home.
He married Caroline Ralston, born in the town of Fairfield, Herkimer county, N.Y. She was a woman of strong character and womanly virtue, who proved a most efficient helpmeet and pioneer mother.
John Windecker was a Universalist in religion, and a Whig, later a Republican, in politics. He died in 1885.
Children:
William R., see forward.
Mariette.
Sandusky.
Conrad.
Simeon.
Sidney.
Sylvester.
Sedate.
The last three children were triplets and are all living at this date (1910).
(III) Elder William R., eldest son of John and Caroline (Ralston) Windecker, was born in the town of Harrisburg, Lewis county, N.Y., March 7, 1822. He was reared on the farm in Lewis county and educated in the public schools of the town, completing his studies at a private school. He assumed the care and management of the homestead farm and spent his active years in its cultivation and improvement, assisted by his son. He was an energetic, well-to-do farmer, and after his years of labor lived for several years in well-earned retirement from active effort. He was an upright, couteous gentleman, a great lover of music and an expert violinist.
In politics he supported the Republican party, and was an active faithful memberf of the Presbyterian church, which he served as elder. He was scrupulous in the observance of his church obligations and a liberal supporter of church and charitable work.
He married (first) in 1844, Louisa Windecker, born in Faifield, Herkimer county, N.Y., May 20, 1819, died March 9, 1897, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Petrie) Windecker.
Children:
Elizabeth, married H.C. Morris.
William S., see forward.
Louisa.
He married (second), Oct. 2, 1880, Mary E. Keller, of Fairfield, Herkimer county, N.Y., who still survives.
(IV) William S., only son of Elder William R. and Louisa (Windecker) Windecker, was born in the town of Harrisburg, Lewis county, N.Y. on the old homestead farm cleared by his grandfather. He was educated in the public schools and at Lowville Academy. He remained at home, assisting his father on the farm during his earlier years of manhood, and has all his life been identified with agriculture, owning a fine farm and an interest in the homstead. He has not confined himself to farming, but has other business interests. For seven years he was in the retail coal business in Lowville and interested in other enterprises. He was secretary of the Lewis County Agricultural Society for thirteen years, and took an active and prominent part in the order, Patrons of Husbandry, having filled all the chairs in the local grange.
He is trustee and senior elder of the Lowville Presbytrian Church, an office also filled by his father.
Politically he is a Republican.
He married, Feb. 8, 1883, Irene Wilcox of Ripon, Wisconsin, daughter of Daniel and Huldah (Williams) Wilcox. Daniel Wilcox was a son of Roswell and Irene (Nicholson) Wilcox. (See Wilcox VI.)
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