Husband Col. Benjamin Franklin Winger 1 2
Born: 27 Nov 1835 - Salisbury Twp, Lancaster Co, PA 3
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Father: Joseph Winger (1807- ) 4
Mother: Esther Buckwalter (1812-1868) 5
Marriage:
Other Spouse: Susan J. Duffield ( -1868) 3 - 20 May 1857 3
Wife Margaret K. "Maggie" Byer 2 6
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Father: Dr. Frederick Byer ( - ) 2
Mother: Catharine Ziegler ( - ) 2
Children
1 F Rose Winger 6
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2 F Frances Winger 6
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General Notes: Husband - Col. Benjamin Franklin Winger
He was born in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the old William Penn road, within a mile of what was known as the "Old Compass Tavern." His father, who was a farmer, removed with his family and settled in Montgomery Township, Franklin County, in 1838.
He was reared to agricultural pursuits, until at the age of fourteen he was employed as a clerk in a general store at Mercersburg, and at eighteen took charge of his father's store at Clay Lick, Franklin County, conducting the business until 1860.
In 1860 he moved to Philadelphia, where he was employed as a salesman in a dry goods house, and the following year became a partner in the concern. In March, 1862, he turned his attention to reading and the study of law in the office of Tenner & Davis, the same year selling and closing out his dry goods business. The Colonel had during his residence in Franklin County been prominently identified as an officer of the State militia. In 1857 he was elected captain of a volunteer cavalry company, called the "Union Horse Guards," served for some years, and was afterward appointed and served as aid-de-camp to Brig.-Gen. McAllen, with rank as captain (both commissions were issued by Gov. William F. Packer, and are dated respectively July 5, 1858, and May 7, 1860). While connected with the militia service he attended the encampments at McConnellsburg, Chambersburg and Waynesboro, from which experience he had acquired much practical knowledge of military matters, and in the summer of 1862 he proffered his services to Gov. Curtin, to serve in the Union Army in the war of the Rebellion. His services were promptly accepted, and August 23, 1862, he was commissioned by the governor as first lieutenant of Company D, One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (Second Artillery), and was soon afterward ordered on active duty to Washington, D. C., where the regiment remained until the spring of 1864. In October, 1862, he was detailed by Gen. Banks, commanding the defenses north of the Potomac, on recruiting service, with directions to open an office in Chambersburg. He arrived at that place October 10, and in the morning rented an office for recruiting purposes, and the evening of the same day rebel Gen. Stuart, with 2,000 picked Virginia cavalrymen, made his raid on the doomed city. Lieut. Winger doffed his uniform and donned a citizen's garb, thereby escaping capture. He enlisted, during the following six months, 166 men, and rejoined his regiment April 3, 1863. Soon after he became one of the staff of Col. Gibson, then in command of a brigade, the lieutenant acting as assistant inspector-general. In the spring of 1864 the regiment was ordered to Port Royal, Virginia, where they became a part of the Eighteenth Corps, under Gen. Baldy Smith. They took part in the battle of Cold Harbor, the Lieutenant having command of his company. Subsequently, in the battle of Petersburg, the captain of Company L being wounded, Lieut. Winger was assigned to its command, and while there his company was under constant fire from the enemy for fifty-five days. During this time the famous "Quaker Mine" was exploded. From August 22 to December, 1864, the Lieutenant was on sick leave, and after returning to his regiment, January 24, 1865, he was promoted to major and given command of the regiment. Under his command the regiment from this time was in one constant succession of engagements until the evacuation of Richmond and surrender of Lee. He was promoted May 18, 1865, to lieutenant-colonel, after which he was placed in command of Petersburg, Virginia, relieving Gen. Hartsuff; there with his own and the One Hundred and Seventh New York Regiments he was given command of Surry County, Virginia. After this county was "reconstructed" he was placed in command of nine counties, including Nottoway, Charlotte, Halifax, Mecklenburgh, Lunenburgh, Amelia, Prince Edward, Cumberland and Buckingham, with headquarters at Burkeville Junction. After administering the oath of allegiance, and reconstructing these counties, he was mustered out of the United States service at City Point, Virginia, January 29, 1866. He then returned to Franklin County, and took charge of the Duffield farm in Montgomery Township, but in 1867 engaged in mercantile business at Greencastle, where he established his residence. In 1870 he resumed the study of law in the office of Judge Rowe, and was admitted to the Franklin County bar, March 12, 1872, commencing practice at Greencastle.
He purchased the Echo printing office in 1868, which he conducted until 1876, when he sold it. In 1878, to aid an army comrade, Capt. George C. Wilson, he established the Greencastle Press, and became its proprietor, attending at the same time to his large law practice and other business.
The Colonel, who was a Democrat, was elected in 1867 a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from Perry and Franklin Counties.
He became a member of the Masonic order at the age of twenty-one, and advanced high in degrees.
He and his family were members of the Presbyterian Church.
General Notes: Wife - Margaret K. "Maggie" Byer
from Washington Co, MD