WILLIAM WINTERS, a native of Germany, was born in 1820, he being a son of Jacob and Adeline Winters, both of whom were natives of Germany. William bid adieu to his friends and Fatherland in 1858, and embarked on a vessel for America, and at the end of 61 days arrived in New Orleans. From the latter point he took steamboat passage for St. Louis, arriving there 13 days later. From there he went to Alton, and later to Carlinville, coming to Greene county from the later point, and buying 80 acres of land. Most of it was raw land, which he has since improved and added to, until he now has 160 acres of good land, all of which is located in Linder township. William Winters was united in marriage, March 2, 1853, with Elizabeth Gilman, a native of Germany. By their marriage they have been blessed with eight children - Elizabeth, the wife of James Martin, of Dakota; John, who accidentally shot himself while out hunting, and died six weeks later, Feb. 27, 1885; George, living in Linder township; Maggie, wife of Moses Freer, of Rockbridge township; Susan, wife of Joseph Bower, of Kane township; Mary, wife of A. Johnson, of Solomon City, Kan.; William and Katie, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Winters are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Winters' grandfather lived to the ripe old age of 105 years, his father to the age of 99 years, six months, and eight days, and his mother to the age of 88 years and two months. Thus it will be seen that the Winters family is a long-lived one.