Charles Winch, a Justice of the Peace and a successful farmer of Langdon, is a native of Sullivan, Cheshire County. He was born November 13, 1845, son of Thomas and Clarissa (Town Winch. The family, which is of English origin, was founded by Samuel Winch, who settled in Sudbury, Mass., in 1670. Caleb, the great-grandfather of Charles, was born in Framingham, Mass., September 26, 1744. In 1768, when he was married, he removed to Fitzwilliam, where he resided until his death in 1826. He was a man of means, influential in town affairs and active in church work. The maiden name of his wife was Mehitable Maynard. His son, John, born in Fitzwilliam, March 10, 1778, was a prosperous farmer and took an active interest in town affairs. John’s wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Gary, born in Leominster, Mass., died September 13, 1851. John and Lucy Winch were the parents of ten children, born as follows: Jeremiah, February 23, 1805; Lucy, December 5, 1806; John, September 9, 1808; Suka, July 21, 1810; Caleb, April 19, 1812; Thomas, March 2, 1814; Esther, March 11, 1817; Betsey, March 31, 1818; Nancy, October 25, 1820; and Abbie A., September 2, 1822.
Thomas Winch was born and educated in Sullivan. In 1855 he came to Langdon, and was there for a prolonged period, extensively engaged in general farming, cattle and sheep raising, besides being very active in town affairs. He was Selectman in Sullivan and Langdon, and Chairman of the Board in each place, a Justice of the Peace for ten years, and Representative to the State legislature in 1861-62. His death occurred August 8, 1896, in his eighty-third year. His wife, Clarissa Town Winch, who was born in Stoddard, N.H., October 28, 1818, now lives in Marlow, N.H. Three sons and a daughter were born of their union; namely, Charles, Thomas D., Ella M., and George. Thomas D., born in Sullivan, October 10, 1847, completed his education at Kimball Union Academy of Meriden, N.H., and is now living in Peterboro, N.H., being a member of the large grocery firm of Winch & Field. He married Josephine Nichols, of Peterboro. Ella M., born in Sullivan, August 28, 1849, married George C. Friend, a successful farmer of Marlow. She died January 10, 1894, survived by her husband and one daughter, Blanche Ina Friend. George, born in Langdon, July 11, 1857, attended the common schools of Langdon, and then prepared for college at Kimball Union Academy and St. Johnsbury Academy of Vermont. He then Haverhill, N.H., after which he taught for a time in Fitchburg. On leaving the latter place, he became principal of the Varney School of Manchester, N.H., which position he has held for many years. He was married August 24, 1887, to Miss Emily Corinne Holden, daughter of Charles A. Holden, of Langdon, and has one child, Emily Josephine Winch.
Charles Winch completed his education in Kimball Union Academy of Meriden, N.H. Returning home then, he assisted his father in the work of the farm for a time. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school in Westford, Mass.; but he finally returned to general farming, in which he has since been profitably engaged. His enterprises include dairying and stock-raising, and he makes a specialty of thorough-bred cattle.
On September 8, 1875, Mr. Winch married Miss Abbie L. Hubbard, who was born December 5, 1846, in Sullivan, daughter of George F. and Betsey Hubbard, of that place. They have five children, namely: Elton W., born January 7, 1877; Walter T., born June 27, 1879; Clara A., born February 14, 1881; Bessie E., born May 24, 1883; and Helen L., born April 4, 1892. Elton and Walter are pupils of Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass.; and Clara and Bessie attend the grammar school of Marlow, N.H.
The Republican party has no stancher supporter than Mr. Winch. He was superintendent of schools for several years. He has served acceptably in the capacity of Selectman. He was Tax Collector for three years. In 1895 he was a Representative to the State legislature, serving on the Committee on Agriculture. For one year he was a member of the School Board, and he is now serving as Town Auditor and Justice of the Peace. The only secret society he has connection with is the Order of the Golden Cross. An esteemed member of the Congregational church, he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for seventeen years.
