From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Born in Dallas County on September 8, 1869 on a farm three miles south of Lancaster, Frank Robert Winniford never went far from the place of his birth. He lived his seventy-seven years in and near Lancaster, never leaving the state but one time when he visited a sister in Gainesville and went across the Red River into Oklahoma, breaking his record.
In young manhood he became affiliated with the Church of Christ then located near George School House. Later, he helped to reorganize that church and was one of the Elders when the Church met over the First National Bank on the square in Lancaster.
On December 22, 1892 he married Lucy Williams Billingsley, the daughter of Samuel Billingsley and Mary Theodosia Williams Price of Lee County, Mississippi. They made their home on the farm of his late father for several years until entering the grocery business in the city of Lancaster, forming a partnership with Will G. Harris, known as the Harris-Winniford Grocery. On April 21, 1909, he opened a business of his own on the northeast corner of the town square and operated there until the town burned in 1917, at which time he returned to the farm for a few years.
Together with earning a living for his family, Frank held responsible places in the city government and was a member of the School Board of Trustees. He was a charter member of the volunteer firemen’s organization and also served as city marshal. For fourteen years he was City Secretary-Treasurer, and for ten years was the City Tax Assessor Collector. For forty years he held the position of Clerk of the local Woodmen of the World Lodge. Frank Robert still had time for fun, however; possessing a talent for performing, he appeared in all home talent plays and most of the time had the leading part.
Frank and Lucy were the parents of four children as follows: 1) Freda Ileen born September 26, 1895. 2) Drew Norvell born June 6, 1897. 3) Frank Arlin born November 6, 1902. 4) Jack Samuel born November 16, 1906.
Frank was the son of Norvell Robertson Winniford and Sarah Miranda Gilliland Elliott, pioneer settlers of the Lancaster community. He was a slow moving, quiet, unassuming, peaceful man born of a high spirited, tempestuous mother and an “adventurer” father. He died on October 20, 1946 in Lancaster, Dallas County and is buried in Edgewood Cemetery, just south of Lancaster. His wife, Lucy, survived him for 19 years, dying on August 28, 1965. She is buried beside him.
By June Anderson Shipley, granddaughter, Dallas
