Fourth generation is now involved in the operation of the Winter-Gress
  Ranch so Barber County is indeed their "Chosen Land."
     Herb, son of John and Emma (Nuffer) Gress, was born September 29, 1897
  in the Stull area about 10 miles west of Lawrence, Kansas. He attended 
  rural school in Douglas County and began high school at Lawrence High. 
  WWI interrupted his education when his brother, Roy, volunteered for service.
  Herb took over farm responsibilities.
     Lee, daughter of Milton and Louise (Heise) Winter, was born July 22, 1897, 
  in Douglas County. Lee began her education at the Winter School on land 
  purchased by her grandfather when he came to Kansas.
     Both the Gress and Winter grandparents came to Kansas between the years
  1854 and 1858 when Kansas-Nebraska territory was opened for settlement.
     The Winter family came to Barber County in 1905 and Lee attended Walstead,
  Harmony and No. 10 rural schools, and first year of high school in Medicine
  Lodge. Lee barely remembers the panic of 1907. They lived east of Medicine
  Lodge. Her father had driven cattle from the ranch northwest of town to the
  'commons', a holding ground where cattle could graze prior to shipment by
  rail. (Present industrial park.) He returned home and told his wife that the
  banks had closed. He held the cattle several days, then drove them to the
  east place and wintered them there.
     The Winters returned to Douglas County and Lee graduated from Lecompton
  High in 1915. She spent her first two years following high school at home,
  driving for her father and became closely associated, learing his philosophies
  and principles of living.
     She entered Kansas State Agriculture College Manhattan, and received a
  Bachelor of Science degree in June 1821. During college, she was involved in
  various school activities and honorary organizations. She was ahead of her
  time in her interest in driving a car. She took a semester in "Principles
  and Operation of the Gasoline Engine: and did cabinet making. Her major,
  however, was in literature and economics.
     Lee and Herb grew up in adjoining neighborhoods in eastern Kansas and
  courted in horse and buggy days, advancing to a Hupmobile.
     Following WWI, when it was just the beginning of the depression, Lee and
  Herb were married in June, 1921, and lived on the farm in Douglas County
  where Herb's maternal grandparents had settled in the 1850's. They immediately
  began to restore the old house. Herb and Lee continued in the dairy and sheep
  business and "went out the back door" in the enterprise.
     In June 1922, they came to Barber County to live on the Winter Ranch north-
  west of Medicine Lodge where Lee had previously lived. This was the time when
  "the cow, the sow and the hen" bought the groceries. They appreciated the
  opportunity of having been taught to work and to manage in adversity.
     Herb was a natural born stockman who enjoyed a closeness to nature and
  outdoor living. He knew each animal and enjoyed watching them thrive as he
  upgraded his herd and worked to establish the reputation of the Bar-I-Bar
  Ranch. He practived soil conservation in all phases.
     Herb and Lee had two daughters. Georgia Lee was born February 19, 1928, at
  the home of Carrie Patton in Medicine Lodge. She attended No. 10 rural school
  and graduated from Mr. Carmel Academy in Wichita in 1945, then attended
  Kansas State University and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor's Degree with
  a major in Interior Design.
     Georgia married Gilbert Dawson, son of Roland and Mona (Dobson) Dawson
  June 12, 1949. He is managing and operating the ranch. Georgia and Gilbert
  "Tuffy" have five children: Herbert, John, and Timothy, Harry and Mona Lee
  (twins).
     Ruth Ann was born in Wichita October 27, 1935. She attended No. 10 rural
  school and graduated from MLHS in 1953. She graduated from Kansas State
  University in 1957 with a degree in Home Economics with a double major in
  Family Relations and Elementary Education. She married Jack D. Railsback, 
  DVM, son of Glenn and Geraldine (Wright) Railsback, June 1, 1957. She taught
  a year at Salisbury, Maryland, while Jack was in service. They are now located
  in Humboldt, Nebraska where they farm and he has his practice in veterinary
  medicine.
     Their children are: Brad, Thomas, Daniel, Mark, James and Ann.
     In April 1935, Herb and his brother-in-law, Howard Brass, purchased Medicine
  Lodge Sales Company from Bill Banderwork, auctioneer. They with their wives
  operated the sale eight years. Howard was auctioneer, assisted by Floyd
  Schupbach and Glenn Vanderwork, and Herb was manager. They sold to Glenn
  Fishburn in 1943.
     Herb suffered a severe heart attack in 1946, which forced him into semi-
  retirement, but he never lost interest or contact with ranching activities.
  He made many hospital trips during those years.
     In 1974 they purchased and restored the old Chandler home which was built
  in the early 1900's. After 53 years, they left the ranch and moved to Medicine
  Lodge.
     Herb enjoyed the restoration of the home and the pleasure of living in it.
  Following a years illness,he was deceased January 19, 1977.
     Lee continues to live in the home and enjoys her family, friends, church 
  and various interest.
                 
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 203 
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