Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-Henry Winteroth


Portrait and Biographical Album of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




HENRY WINTEROTH, a self-made man who now owns and operates two hundred acres of well-improved land on section 36, Fragrant Hill Township, Dickinson County, was born on the 1st of November, 1835, in Hesse, Germany. His parents, John and Catherine Winteroth, were farming people and also followed weaving. The father died when Henry was only three years old, and his mother departed this life when he was a lad of eight years. His uncle was quite a prominent politician in his native land and an influential man. He held the office of Mayor of Hesse and was also Collector of Taxes.

On the death of his parents, our subject was left to the care of a guardian until fourteen years of age, at which time, in company with a brother, he crossed the broad Atlantic to America, landing on the 1st of September, 1850. The two youths then went to Mason County, Ill., where they joined an uncle who had sent for them to come to this country. The brother died the following year and the uncle in 1852, thus leaving Henry alone in the world. With no capital or influential friends, he started out in life for himself and worked as a farm-hand by the month or year until his marriage.

A wedding ceremony performed on the 17th of December, 1857, in Havana, Ill., united the destinies of Mr. Winteroth and Mary Heinhorst, a native of Germany, who came from Hanover to the United States. After his marriage, our subject rented land until he had acquired some capital, and then in 18ti5 purchased a farm of eighty acres in Quiver Township, Mason County. To its cultivation and improvement he devoted his energies for about eighteen years, transforming it into a valuable farm, but at length he determined to remove to Kansas, and the month of February, 1883, saw this resolution carried out. It was then that Mr. Winteroth purchased property in Fragrant Hill Township, Dickinson County, and immediately removed to the same. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of well-improved land, and in addition to the cultivation of crops, makes a specialty of raising horses for farming purposes.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Winteroth have been born the following children: Lizzie E., born March 19, 1859; John William, February 7, 1861; Henry C, June 13, 1862; George, who was born November 12, 1864, and died on the 6th of April, 1872; Sarah, born December 15, 1866; John, January 21, 1869; Sophia, May 30, 1871; Mary, July 3, 1873; Adaline, January 9, 1876; Emma, January 28, 1878; and Elnora, born on the 3d of June, 1880.

Mr. Winteroth is a member of the Evangelical Association, with which he has been connected for several years, and takes quite an active interest in its upbuilding. He is a genial, affable man, of courteous manners, and is quite popular among his friends and neighbors. For his success in life he certainly deserves much credit. He determined to win for himself a good home, and with this before him he pressed steadily forward, overcoming obstacles and disadvantages until he had reached his goal.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP