James W. Winter (1888-1972)

Written by Helene Winter in 1972.  First Posted by Karen Brewer 4/18/2016 [thanks Karen]  

Obituary & Eulogy of James Wright Winter....

James Wright Winter, son of William and Margaret Winter, was born in Sibley, Iowa, January 21, 1888, and entered into rest, April 17, 1972, at the age of 84 years.

He attended Osceola High School, after which he taught school for several years. He took his first year of veterinary medical training at Chicago Veterinary College, Chicago, Illinois and finished the remaining years of his training at Kansas City Veterinary College, Kansas City, Missouri, where he received his degree in veterinary medicine in May of 1916. As a senior student, he spent his summer of 1915 helping in and around Norwalk and locating here permanently in the summer of 1916, to practice more than 50 years in the town and surrounding territory.

When he was 15 years old his family moved from northern, Iowa, to a farm south of Truro, Iowa. His love of the farm and his veterinary practice went hand in hand, as he owned and occupied a farmstead on the west edge of Norwalk, where for many years he raised Short-horn cattle.He is survived by his wife, Helene; a daughter, Mrs. Jane Leddy of San Mateo, California; a sister, Miss Margaret Winter of Truro, Iowa; a brother, Dr. Malcolm Winter, Sr. of Miles City, Montana; and four grandchildren.

During Dr. Winter's long practice in Norwalk and vicinity, it was obvious he enjoyed every minute of it. Children delightedly exchanged good-natured banter with him as they trailed him around the lots, helping out. He did many kind things above and beyond the line of duty and would respond to a call whatever the hour or the weather. He knew veterinary medicine in its' earlier days as well as modern methods. He knew it when animals were often treated in cold and blizzard under make-shift protection or when they were bedded down in a warm stall.

He was a confidant of his clients as well as a friend...a man who held the esteem and affection of several generations of those whom he served.

He liked flowers and busy though he was, could now and then be seen weeding in the flower beds or in the garden. He enjoyed art and books and was an avid reader in his leisure moments. Vacation periods were spent visiting many areas of the continental United States, Canada and Mexico.

Dr. Winter's mortal life is ended, but his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of many.

Written by Dr. Winter's wife, Helene. 

This letter was attended by a note to Margaret L. Winter from Pastor Earl E. Swigart of First Baptist Church, 607 Mafred Ave., Norwalk Iowa.  

Jane's Birth Announcement

Letter from Norwalk, Iowa, July 10, 1933

letter from Edna Winter to Jane Ann Winter in Truro, Iowa.  

My Dear Big Girl:

I am sitting in the old seat in the west lawn up by your swing. Bruce is resting here beside me and the cats are tumbling about playing and fighting and trying to nurse Shorty.

We have had such a nice rain the lawn is beginning to look green once more.  Daddy [James Winter] is in the country.  He has been quite busy today. I went to S.S. and Church Sunday.  Eula Jean was there.  My class was all boys we had a great time and after we had read the story we made soldier hats out of the S.S. paper.   I promised to teach them to make a boat next Sunday.  

I heard Mr. and Mrs. F-  had a baby boy born July 2.  I also heard they were disappointed for they had both counted on a curly haired girl baby.  

How I have hooked on the big old rug.  Tomorrow I will finish the border and all the leaves.  Then I'll have the inside left.  After I get it out of the frames I'll shear it.  Do you know where the large scissors are?  You surely didn't put them in your bag.  Grandma [Winter] said you might give the pantomime.  When and Where? You will need quite a bit of space to make it look right.  Don't think of doing it without practicing several times.  Be slow and deliberate and know what comes next.  You see its been over a month since children's day and I expect you to be prepared before you perform. This is Tuesday  Your letter will be mailed out this afternoon.  We went up to the Millers last night about 9:30 A business call. Helen asked for you.  She has a little brother 4 years old.  It was 10:30 when we got home and they hadn't milked their cows yet.  I hoed some in the garden this morning.  Worked until the water begin to drip off my chin.  Then I picked some cherries for sauce.  We don't eat much.  I made a cake for Daddy Sunday he still has enough to last until tomorrow.  I have the missionary meeting here Fri. afternoon.  Don't you think Daddy had better come for our Thurs. or Fri. Evening?  So far I have nos surprise.  There might be a tiny one by the time you would get home.

I want to write to Grandma Robins now and take a bath.

Love to my dear Little (Big) Girl  Jane Ann.  

More information about Edna Robins Winter

I ran across a news clipping about my grandmother Winter:  no indication of date or newspaper.  This is probably from around 1923 as it was before she married my grandfather.  

"we enjoyed a talk by Miss Edna Robins of Des Moines who was spending the holidays with her sisters, Miss Arline [born 1905] and Mrs. Charley Gardner [I think she was Leola E. Robins born 1909] [Charley Gardner is also associated with the historical town no longer existent Prarie Grove:  see my post on that] [a Roswell Gardner is also mentioned].  Miss Edna is a former Groveland [Groveland was a town in Clarke County, no longer exists] school girl and later one of Clarke county's efficient teachers.  At present she is instructor in the C.C.C.C. in Des Moines [I couldn't find a C.C.C.C., but there was a C.C.C.  Civilian Conservation Corps] and the first of the year is in charge of the shorthand departments, having been promoted just before the Xmas vacation.  We are indeed proud of Miss Robins and predict a bright future for this earnest, industrious young woman who has won out in every undertaking."   

I also ran across her certificate of marriage.

Don Leddy featured in Longfellow School program 1933?

"Longfellow School Has Fine Program:  Arbor Day Affair Much Enjoyed Last Week."  I have a clipping but no information about the date or publication.  Longfellow School is still in Pasadena.  "The children ...all assembled on the north side of the school grounds where David Davis dedicated a eucalyptus tree.  Donald Leddy turned the soil with a shining new spade, after which the classes sang "God Gave to Us the Friendly Tree."  Following this, the 3A children circled the tree, each throwing some soil on the roots.  The program was then concluded by singing the Longfellow School song." 

Photos of Long Beach Earthquake 1933

These photos were probably taken by Jack Leddy as a boy.  I have the negatives too.  I see a lot of photos of the damage online but the photos of what looks like relief work are probably unusual.

Summer 1932 Newport Beach and Balboa Island

Jack Leddy, Don Leddy, Albert, Margaret, James