FEATURED ITEM

​​

Do you remember...the Winsberg Family?

John Winsberg and Mary Hedchola were born in Finland. They immigrated to America, settled in Michigan and had a son named Charles William Winsberg on July 12, 1882. Charles wed a native of Finland named Louise Sahna Setula. The ceremony was held in Kent, Washington on November 10th, 1906.

First generation American, Charles Winsberg was appointed Postmaster of Ladd District on June 04, 1907.

In 1910 Charles and his wife lived in Mineral, WA and Charles worked as a "Time Keeper" in a "Coal Mine".

Charles and Louise went on to make their home in Morton, WA. The couple had three children. Ethel Marie (04/07/1911), (Mike) Erwin George (02/22/1913), Rose Sophia (01/27/1918).

Charles was a prominent businessman who owned and operated “C.W. Winsberg and Company in Morton. His mercantile sold, hardware, feed, clothing and shoes among many other items".

According to the newspapers of the day, Charles was active in the community. A vital part of the "Morton Lodge No. 209" and many other things.

Sadly, on Jan 6, 1919, Charles, age 36 passed away from what was reported to be the "Influenza Epidemic in Morton and vicinity". Charles left behind his wife and three young children. His widow never remarried, son Mike stayed close at hand.

In the January 30, 1919, addition of the Tacoma Daily Ledger, Dr. Harry Feagles, a well-known Morton physician, is quoted as saying, “it is estimated that in the Davis Lake and Rainey Valley sections, 95% of the people were afflicted". The article also says that Dr. Feagles stated that he "had in round numbers 300 cases". As we know, 1918 was when the "Spanish Flu" epidemic hit the world. Mr. Winsberg's case was reported to be at the end of the epidemic in our local area.

The couple's eldest daughter, Marie Ethel (1911-1983) lived in Seattle. Married, Joseph P. Haley, and was a teacher by trade.

Erwin George (Mike) went on to college and worked in the banking industry. He married a local schoolteacher Georgina June Allen (1925- 2007) on November 4, 1950. Mike continued to be a banker, retired from the State Bank of Morton. Mrs. Winsberg was a multigenerational teacher in the Morton School District. Mike lived to be 96 years old.

The couple's youngest child, Rose Sophia, was only a year and eight days old at the time of her father's passing. Rose married Emil J. Bickford and the couple resided in Tacoma, Pierce County, WA. (1918- 2009)

The Morton Historical Society recently received this "Advertising Plate" featuring C.W. Winsbergs Store. Interestingly, the plate is decorated with World Clocks. In his 36 short years, this gentleman brought a lot to the world.

Thank you Judy for taking the time to contact the Morton Museum/Morton Historical Society and for mailing the plate to us. We appreciate your effort and the Plate is a great addition to our accessions.