As I find more information, pictures, and things, I am adding them to this site for people that are interested in finding out about Winchell Mfg. Co.
I am the son of Lawrence J. Winchell's oldest daughter, Lola Mae. he had four daughters Lola Mae, Lorene, Jean, and Bertie.
To contact me: Webmaster@acrossstitchintime.com
I might be able to answer questions you have
 

Plant in Fort Scott

Lawrence J. and T. Mae Winchell

    

Unknown

Aunt Jean and her daughter, Leah Ann

Unknown

Unknown (left) - Lola Mae Edwards (Mom) (right)

 

Aunt Bertie

Edwards Family
Loyal(left), Lola Mae(right)
James(older  brother)
Me (sitting)

  
US2259676[1].pdf

Patent from 10/21/1941

 US2484201[1].pdf

Patent from 10/11/1949

 US2615292[1].pdf

Patent from 10/28/1952

      
 
       
This is my Mow-Buggy as I was starting Restoration
An 18" Commercial Model I have, but not worked on    
10.3hp Clinton Engine     
           
Winchell Mfg. Co., Inc.
as recalled by Terry L Edwards, Grandson of Lawrence J. Winchell

It seems I found a couple of patents that my grandfather applied for and received Oct, 1941. If I read it right, that gave him the patent rights for the first rotary blade, gasoline power lawn mower. I'm not sure if this is when he actually started the company in Ft. Scott, Kansas or not but it seems that way. He made many different lawn and garden tractor equipment. I seem to remember that there was a plow with steel wheels and a internal combustion gas engine, some other items that were for use in gardening and lawn care.

I do remember a go cart he made that resembled an old race car with a cigar looking body and exposed wheels on it that we grandkids rode when we visited. I was only about 10 years old when he sold the company to Gravely Mfg. in 1962, much to the dismay of some of the family - especially my Mom and Dad. If given the opportunity, I believe they would have kept the company intact and it would probably still be around. Of course, that would have changed our (my brother and I) history. The agreement between him and Gravely was never discussed, first Mom and Dad knew, the company was sold and no more equipment would be sent. He didn't let any of the family know about the sale until it was a done deal and over with. With me being about 10 years old at the time, I had different interests then and had no idea what was happening. Later on as I was a little older, Mom and Dad told me some of the details about the history of what used to be. I'm sure there are a lot of things I was told that I don't recall now.

My parents had a sales and service dealership in Channelview, Texas. they moved there in 1941 from Kansas to start the business of selling and distributing Clean-Cut mowers in the Gulf Coast states, they also sold Maytag washers and dryers, at least up until the time grandfather sold out. Of course with Winchell Mfg gone, there was no reason to keep that business open so they converted the building into a washateria with coin operated washers and dryers, and assorted other vending machines.

All Winchell mowers had Clinton gas engines, and I hear tell that the early early models had Maytag engines (such as the drawing in the patent application). That engine was a stomp start Maytag engine from a clothes washer if I am not mistaken.

 

Newspaper Article from Fort Scott Tribune, 1958

L.J. Winchell, of Winchell Manufacturing, and his assembly foreman, Chester Smith, drove to Los Angeles recently where they will visit dealer and customer accounts in that area, including the Veterans Government Hospital at Van Nuys, which has recently received its second Clean-Cut 72 Mowbuggy unit being used in maintaining about 180 acres of land and landscaping. The Ford in which they made the trip had a built-in ramp to conveniently load and unload these large riding mowers whenever they wanted to demonstrate.

Newspaper Article from Fort Scott Tribune, 1957

A New Year's party was given by Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Winchell of the Winchell Mfg. Co. for employees and their wives. The party was held in the new brick home of the Winchells two miles north of on Highway 69. A buffet supper was served. Later, movies were shown of the Winchell lawn mowers.