Norman
Grass Roots American
Winningkoff's Blacksmith
by Col. Tom Emerson
It is refreshing in these day of parental government, to meet and visit with a man who personifies the type of person who made America the greatest nation the world has ever known. This person, like thousands of Americans, goes about his business, unnoticed by a sophisticated world.
This man is Mr. W. A. Norman of the Winningkoff community. Norman is a tall, slender man who appears to be in his early fifties. Actually he was born June 16, 1904, in Dallas county.
He attended grade school in the Shiloh community near Garland before the family moved to East Texas near Jacksonville. Finances were such in the Norman family that he had to go to work full-time at the age of 14.
Drove Mules
Norman said: "I had to drive the mules and do a man's job on the farm so I did not have the opportunity to complete my education."
Mr. Norman moved to McKinney in 1919-here he did odd jobs working in the cotton mill and at cotton gins, striving always to improve his lot in life.
Is the world better or worse? "I hate to think it's getting worse, I'm not too sure it is or isn't."
Norman moved to the Winningkoff community in 1929 and worked on a farm owned by Dr. Morrow. He quit farming and opened his own business in 1932 - a Blacksmith shop - the only remaining place of business in this community.
With determination- and he started from scratch- just a few tools and within a few short years he acquired various types of machinery, building most of it. Today, he can and does handle and repair most everything. He has learned his trade by doing it. His success is proved by his list of customers.
Where do they come from? Wylie, Allen, Princeton, Garland, and McKinney.
While this reporter was interviewing Mr. Norman, a customer brought a job of welding to him- the customer lived in Lucas.
Oldtime Shop
The shop is a typical old time blacksmith shop and he built it just behind his house.
Do you have charge accounts?
"I used to but I now operate on a cash basis," he replied.
The old Winningkoff grocery and market closed about three years ago -so-Mr. Norman is the one and only business place remaining.
Ed Knight was the owner of the Winningkoff store in 1932 and it was Mrs. Knight who was responsible for Norman going in business by himself. Knight made the suggestion to Norman and the business was born and is now 34 years old and still going strong.
Two Children
In 1926 Norman married the former Miss Cora Talbot of McKinney and to this union two girls were born, Jackie Norman, now Mrs. Doris Wardlove of Richardson; and Betty Norman, Now Mrs. Betty Moore of Winningkoff.
By faith the Normans, are Methodists and they attend the Blythe Chapel Methodist church. Norman is a steward of this church.
This good man is a shining example of our free enterprise system. American needs more people like Mr. W. A. Norman.
Winningkoff's Blacksmith
by Col. Tom Emerson
It is refreshing in these day of parental government, to meet and visit with a man who personifies the type of person who made America the greatest nation the world has ever known. This person, like thousands of Americans, goes about his business, unnoticed by a sophisticated world.
This man is Mr. W. A. Norman of the Winningkoff community. Norman is a tall, slender man who appears to be in his early fifties. Actually he was born June 16, 1904, in Dallas county.
He attended grade school in the Shiloh community near Garland before the family moved to East Texas near Jacksonville. Finances were such in the Norman family that he had to go to work full-time at the age of 14.
Drove Mules
Norman said: "I had to drive the mules and do a man's job on the farm so I did not have the opportunity to complete my education."
Mr. Norman moved to McKinney in 1919-here he did odd jobs working in the cotton mill and at cotton gins, striving always to improve his lot in life.
Is the world better or worse? "I hate to think it's getting worse, I'm not too sure it is or isn't."
Norman moved to the Winningkoff community in 1929 and worked on a farm owned by Dr. Morrow. He quit farming and opened his own business in 1932 - a Blacksmith shop - the only remaining place of business in this community.
With determination- and he started from scratch- just a few tools and within a few short years he acquired various types of machinery, building most of it. Today, he can and does handle and repair most everything. He has learned his trade by doing it. His success is proved by his list of customers.
Where do they come from? Wylie, Allen, Princeton, Garland, and McKinney.
While this reporter was interviewing Mr. Norman, a customer brought a job of welding to him- the customer lived in Lucas.
Oldtime Shop
The shop is a typical old time blacksmith shop and he built it just behind his house.
Do you have charge accounts?
"I used to but I now operate on a cash basis," he replied.
The old Winningkoff grocery and market closed about three years ago -so-Mr. Norman is the one and only business place remaining.
Ed Knight was the owner of the Winningkoff store in 1932 and it was Mrs. Knight who was responsible for Norman going in business by himself. Knight made the suggestion to Norman and the business was born and is now 34 years old and still going strong.
Two Children
In 1926 Norman married the former Miss Cora Talbot of McKinney and to this union two girls were born, Jackie Norman, now Mrs. Doris Wardlove of Richardson; and Betty Norman, Now Mrs. Betty Moore of Winningkoff.
By faith the Normans, are Methodists and they attend the Blythe Chapel Methodist church. Norman is a steward of this church.
This good man is a shining example of our free enterprise system. American needs more people like Mr. W. A. Norman.