Betsey Winchell, widow of the late Ira Winchell, of Oneco Township, came to Northern Illinois in the pioneer days and has 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 and the establishment of American independence, 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 manner of living, and although keeping himself well posted upon 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 the 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 swells beneath.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 593