WI BIO - Kenosha Co - WINDISH, Phillip 

History of Kenosha and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Clarke Publishing, 
1916, vol II, pp 503-504

Phillip WINDISH, who is now engaged in farming, was the first child born in 
Paris Township [Kenosha County, Wisconsin], who remained there, his natal day 
being 18 December 1851. He is a son of Adam and Mary (MYERS) WINDISH, 
natives of Germany, although in early life they came to the New World. They 
[Adam and Mary (MYERS) WINDISH] were married in Racine County. [Racine 
County, Territory of Wisconsin, was formed in 1836. Wisconsin became a State 
29 May 1848. Kenosha County was created from the southern portion of Racine 
County on 26 January 1850.]

After crossing the Atlantic Adam WINDISH made his way to Milwaukee [in 
Milwaukee County, just north of Racine County], and later removed to Paris 
Township, Kenosha County. Subsequently he was employed by Ambrose SPENCER, 
and later he began farming on this own account [p 504] by cultivating a tract 
of rented land for two or three years. During that period he carefully saved 
his earnings until he was able to purchase 80 acres in Paris Township. He 
improved the farm, continuing the work of further development and cultivation 
until a few years prior to his death, when he retired and spent his remaining 
days in Racine. Although he started out in life a poor boy, he became quite 
successful, carefully and wisely managing his business interests, so that his 
financial resources increased year by year.

In the family of Adam WINDISH were four children: (1) Phillip; (2) Jacob, 
who is now conducting a ranch in California; and (3) Emma, the wife of 
Windell ALF, living in Los Angles [Los Angeles County], California. [Note 
that only three are named.] In his political views Mr. [Adam] WINDISH was a 
Democrat. In religious faith Mrs. WINDISH [Mary nee MYERS] was a Catholic.

Reared upon the Wisconsin frontier, Phillip WINDISH obtained his education in 
one of the old log schoolhouses of pioneer days. He also assisted in the 
arduous task of developing a new farm, and after he had reached his majority 
he took up farming on his own account, renting land from his father. Finally 
he [Phillip WINDISH] purchased his farm, upon which he made a partial payment 
and discharged his indebtedness as he could at a later period. Today he has 
120 of rich and valuable land from which he derives a substantial annual 
income, owing to the care and labor bestowed upon the fields. He has erected 
all of the buildings upon the place and now has a valuable property. His 
attention is given to the cultivation of various cereals well adapted to soil 
and climatic conditions here, and he also raises considerable stock, both 
branches of his business proving profitable.

In August 1891 Mr. [Phillip] WINDISH was united in marriage to Miss Barbara 
SINEN of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, and they [Phillip and Barbara (SINEN) 
WINDISH] had three children: (1) Mary, who is now a teacher in the schools 
of Paris Township [Kenosha County]; (2) Elmer, and (3) Rose, at home. The 
wife and mother [Barbara (SINEN) WINDISH] died 27 March 1915, passing away in 
the faith of St. John's church [St John's Lutheran established in 1862 in 
Racine?]. Mr. [Phillip] WINDISH gives his political endorsement to the 
Democratic party and has served ten years on the school board, and as a 
member of the town board, but is not a politician in the sense of office 
seeking, as he feels that his time may well be given to his business affairs. 
His activity and enterprise in farm work has made him one of the leading 
agriculturists of the community. 

Submitted by Cathy Kubly