Fred Winseman

In 1926, among the farmers hauling grain to the elevator, was Fred Winseman of Napoleon Township. If it was quite cold, blankets were taken along to cover the horses while waiting in line to unload. The children often wished to ride along and could do so if they had their morning chores done - such as carrying in wood for the cook stove so Mother could bake the good old-fashioned bread and other goodies.

The wagon box that was used then to haul the grain was made by William Von Deylon Sr. of Gerald, Ohio. The wagon box is now owned by Mr. Winseman's daughter, Mrs. L. Meyer. The wagon box now on rubber wheels is still in use on the 100 acre farm Mr. and Mrs. Winseman bought back in 1905 on Road 16 south of U.S. 6.

Farmers hauling grain to the Napoleon Grain and Stock Company in Napoleon, Ohio, in 1926. Mr. Fred Winseman is wearing a black fur cap, and is standing near a pile of wooden fence posts visiting with another farmer.

1932 or 1934. Photo was taken after the Wilsbergs left their rural New Bavaria home and moved to Toledo. Left to right: Anna, Elizabeth, Lena, and Addie.

Mrs. Winseman, the former Catherine Mahnke, was born in Freedom Township in 1878 on the Mahnke farm in the log cabin that is still on the farm on Road 16 and S.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Winseman retired from the farm in 1935 and moved to Napoleon.

Their daughter, Luella, married to Edwin C. Meyer, then moved on the farm raising registered Jersey cattle -- milking from 20 to 25 cows -- and bottling the milk and selling it to Napoleon families.

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer bought 40 acres joining the 100 acres in 1943 and in 1950 they bought the home place of 100 acres from her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Winseman who are now deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have a son, Richard, who is married to the former Laura Schuette. Richard is principal in the Euclid School System in Euclid, Ohio. A daughter, Barbara, teaches at Peace Lutheran School in Detroit, or Warren, Michigan, and is married to Dick Wagner. Dick is with United Air Lines in Detroit office in Dearborn, Michigan.

Mr. Meyer was stricken with a heart attack in 1956. He was compelled to retire from farming; after recuperating, he worked at Knipps Clothing and Augenstein and Hoeffel part time for several years and died in November,1971.

Mrs. Meyer is still living on the farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Winseman had two other daughters beside Mrs. Luella Meyer. They were Lena Orthwein of Napoleon and Martha Cretors of Hollywood, Florida.

Submitted by Mrs. Luella Meyer