S. W. Van Winkle, an attorney at law, was born in Indiana County, Penn., April 4, 1852. He is a son of Isaac and A. T. (Davis) Van Winkle, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent, and the latter a native of New York, of Irish descent.  Our subject received a good English education in the common and high schools, and in early manhood began teaching, which he followed for some time.  Being anxious to see more of the world, he engaged with a New York publishing firm, and proved himself to be both a good salesman and a good collector.  His determination was to become a lawyer, and this business afforded him an excellent opportunity to study human nature.  As soon as it became financially practicable, he entered the law office of Powell & Fulton to begin the study of his chosen profession, and in this he applied himself so diligently that he completed the two years' course in eighteen months, and in 1882 was admitted to the bar.  He immediately began the practice at Richwood, and is now also agent for eight insurance companies, among them the beat in the United States.  He in a Democrat, a member of the Board of School Examiners, and President of the Teachers' Institute.  He was married, in 1881, to Jennie Loveless, of Richwood.