Hon. Reuben C. Winslow    

WINSLOW, HON. REUBEN C. The history of the Winslow family dates back to the pilgrim settlers of Plymouth, Mass. The founder of the family, Kenelm Winslow, son of Edward Winslow, of Droitwich, England, was born at that place on the 29th of April, 1599. He was the younger brother of Governor Winslow, and arrived at Plymouth in the Mayflower in 1629—this was the Mayflower’s second voyage. He settled at Marshfield, Mass., but subsequently removed to Salem, where he died on the 13th of September, 1672, aged seventy-three years. Some of his descendants still reside upon the property which he purchased from the Indians April 2, 1659.

Carpenter Winslow was his great-great-grandson, and was born at Pittston, Mass., March 20, 1766. His father, James Winslow, was a millwright, and he very early became familiar with the use of mechanical implements, and was afterwards engaged in ship building—having a ship yard at Wiscasset, Me., for several years. He married Elizabeth Coulburn in 1787, and was the father of nine sons, four of whom became noted seamen.

In the year of 1818 this branch of the Winslow family came to Jefferson county, and Carpenter Winslow settled on what is now the old homestead, in Gaskill township. The county was then a dense wilderness, and like all new settlers they had to undergo untold privations; but they found themselves in a healthy climate, and where the soil, though hard to "clear," was productive, so that they were soon able to raise grain and feed in abundance, while the surrounding forests and streams afforded them game and fish. One of their difficulties was having to carry their grain twenty or more miles along bridle-paths through the forest to mill.

In a few months the family of Dr. John W. Jenks came into the neighborhood, and with some others settled in what is now Punxsutawney, and the Bowers family located near the Winslows. These were followed by other settlers, and they soon found themselves in the midst of a good neighborhood, which is today one of the best farming sections of the county.

Carpenter Winslow died in November, 1827, his wife surviving him about eighteen years. Both are buried in the cemetery near Punxsutawney. Only two of his sons, James and Joseph W., father of R. C. Winslow, still survive. The rest have all passed away, leaving however, a large posterity, who are among the most prominent and best citizens of Jefferson and Elk counties. Joseph W. Winslow the youngest son of Carpenter Winslow, was born at Wiscasset, Me., December 10, 1804, and in 1832 married Christena Long, youngest daughter of Joseph Long, of Punxsutawney. Their family consisted of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, who were all born at the old homestead, and who all survive, except a son and daughter who died in infancy. Mr. Winslow has resided on his farm for almost seventy years, and is now one of the patriarchs of the county. Two of his sons, Augustus G. and Joseph Clark Winslow, reside with their venerable parent at the homestead.

Reuben C. Winslow, the eldest son, was born November 9, 1833, and worked on the farm at home, getting his schooling in the winter until he was in his twenty-second year. He read law with Phineas W. Jenks, esq., of Punxsutawney, and was admitted to practice at the February term, 1858, and entered into partnership with his preceptor, the firm of Jenks & Winslow continuing until May, 1880, when it was dissolved, and the same month Mr. Winslow entered into partnership with John E. Calderwood, the firm of Winslow & Calderwood still continuing.

Mr. Winslow was married to Miss Martha Drum, youngest daughter of the late John Drum, esq., of Punxsutawney, June 24, 1858. The result of this union was two sons, John Carlton, born June 13, 1859, and Willie W., born May 7, 1862. The eldest son, Carlton, died November 11, 1881.

Mr. Winslow is a Republican in politics, and was elected to the State Senate in 1874. He still resides in Punxsutawney, where his home is one of the most beautiful in that thriving town.

History of Jefferson County : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co. 1888   Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com.