Contributed by Lance E. Key
My dad, V. E. “Eddie” Key, as a kid, remembered visiting S. D. Windsor at his house about ¾ mile from our home place at Allison Community. He recalled an old man in a rocker with a snow white beard that came down onto his chest, whose lap he sat in as a youngster and listened to old stories and tales. I thought his obituary in 1931 was one of the best I’ve seen.
Lance Key – September 7, 1999
THE GRANBURY NEWS
Friday June 5, 1931
DEATH CLAIMS ANOTHER OF OUR OLD TIME CITIZENS
S. D. Windsor passed from this life Sunday, May 24, 1931 at 2:30 p.m. in his home five miles east of Lipan and was laid to rest in the Evergreen Cemetery Monday afternoon, Rev. B. J. Forbes conducting the funeral services.
He had been very feeble for two years, but the last month a sickness seized him which took his strength rapidly. When the end came he passed quietly into the last sleep.
S. D. Windsor was born at Pinelog, Cass County, GA, Oct. 20, 1845. When he was three years old the home burned, he being severely burned and he wore the marks through life. When he was six years old his father died. Before he was sixteen the “War Between the States” broke out. The turmoil of debates and heated discussions preceding this war had its influence on his youthful mind and developed in him a strong will and a fearless daring.
His — older brothers joined the army and left him to care for the home place. In late summer a company was being made up at Black —-. He left his ax in the woods and ran away without a word to his mother. When he reached the place they were selecting their men, he stepped into the group and stood on a box for he was small, weighing ninety-six pounds. He was accepted and joined the 8th Georgia Battalion, Davis Company.
The company was sent to the coast and other points and to James—-. Here he contracted malaria and was discharged on account of his health. He went home and in a few months recuperated sufficiently to re-enlist, this time in the 4th Georgia Cavalry, Co. C, Johnson was his Captain; Martins Division, Wheelers Corps; and he remained with Wheeler until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Snake Creek, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Decatur. He was in many scouting squads and was on the raid with Wheeler at Knoxville and Nashville. They crossed the river at Muscle Shoals.
After the battle of Atlanta they followed Sherman three days and nights, fighting as they went. They lived roasting —- and green apples. After that he was a Scout until the surrender.
In 1870, he came to east Texas with his mother, brother and sister. Two years later they came to Hood county and made their home on S—fs Creek near Tolar. Much of his time was spent in McCulloch county on the Colorado River, where he had horses and cows on the range. He also farmed, freighted and helped the trail drivers. One time he went over the “Old Chism Trail” to Wichita, Kansas, with cattle.
On —— 12, 1883, he married Miss –llie Cummings. He was baptized in the Church of Christ in the summer of 1885 by Bro. Bob Smith. Four or five years after marriage he and his family began a twelve years ramble over West Texas and Oklahoma in a covered wagon, driving their herd of horses and cattle. They lived three years near Thalia, Ford County, five years Tulia, S—ber County. Then they came back to the same place in Ford Co. from there to Hammon, Okla. and then down the river to Ravia,Okla. (then the Chickasaw Nation). Here he grew fine corn and cotton for 3 years; then back to Hood County, arriving in 1901, and have lived near Lipan since.
He purchased a tract of wooded land from Dr. Lancaster on which to prepare a home for “old age”. He cleared more than 60 acres and improved the home where he and his family have lived since 1905.
To S. D. Windsor and wife were born nine children, three boys and six girls. One son and four daughters are living, Walter M., Jechelia and Vera Windsor of Lipan; Mrs. Ola Wells, Route B, Haskell, Mrs. Ellon Reece, 305 Hickory Street, Sweetwater.
All the children and the ten grandchildren were with him some time during his last illness.
The heritage he leaves his children and grandchildren is his iron will to do the right, his long clean quiet upright life of rugged honesty and his deep feelings of sympathy for his fellow man.
He took a deep interest in political affairs and kept in touch with the progress of the times. He believed in as clean politics and politicians as is becoming a private life.