Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

WILLIAM H. WINSTON, 
 
deceased, was one of the prominent and representative agriculturists of the San 
Gabriel Valley, and was for twenty years identified with its interests. He was a 
native of Huntsville, Alabama, born in 1813, and was a descendant of one of the 
most prominent families of that State. Be was reared as a farmer and 
cotton‑planter, and while in that State devoted the most of his attention to 
agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he came to California and located at San Gabriel, 
where he purchased 180 acres of land from B. D. Wilson. This land was then in an 
uncultivated state, but of deep, rich soil, varied in its character. Mr. Winston 
at once commenced its cultivation and improvement, planting orchards and 
vineyards, erecting a comfortable cottage home and suitable out-buildings. He 
was successful in his enterprise, and soon built up one of the most productive 
farms in the valley. At the present writing (1889) this fine farm comprises 160 
acres, forty of which are in oranges. There is also a large variety of deciduous 
fruits for family use. Considerable land is devoted to vegetable cultivation, 
for market purposes. The larger portion, however, is used for hay, grain and 
stock purposes. Plenty of water is obtained for irrigation purposes, from 
never-failing springs, supplying a large reservoir, from which the water is 
conveyed in ditches to the land as required. Mr. Winston died in 1886, leaving a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances by whom he was universally respected 
and esteemed, and who joined his bereaved family in sincerely mourning his 
death. He was a man of broad mind and progressive views. In political matters he 
was Democratic, and was a man whose influence was always exerted for what he 
considered the best interests of his party. He was a Mason and affiliated with 
El Monte Lodge, No. 104, F. & A. M. Mr. Winston was thrice married: First, to 
Miss Mary Jones, of Alabama; second, to Miss Mary Winston, also of Alabama; and 
his third marriage was with Miss Mary Watts, who was born in Alabama, and is the 
daughter of Edwin Watts, a native of Virginia. From the first and second 
marriages there are three children living: William, who is a resident of Texas; 
Langston, a resident of Pasadena, and Mary, now Mrs. Dillard, residing in 
Alabama. From the third marriage there are five children living: Charles, who 
married Miss Kate Manning, of Downey; Lyddar, Pettus, Edwin and Alice, all of 
whom at this writing (1889) are living with the widow, upon the old homestead.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 827
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler