"Deeply grieved passing much loved greatly admired
staunch ardent promoter Faith, Albert Windust, Herald Covenant, whose notable
services Heroic Formative Ages Faith unforgettable. Assure friends relatives fervently
supplicating progress soul Kingdom.
Shoghi”
Albert Robert Windust was born on Chicago's west side near
Hull House on March 28, 1874. His parents were Thomas and Sarah Sheffield Windust.
His father was a printer, who, shortly after Albert was born, moved with his family
to a section of Chicago known as Woodlawn. They were members of the Episcopal
Church. Mrs. Windust, a school teacher and a very active church worker, was the
founder of the First Christ Church of Woodlawn (Episcopalian).
In his early years, Albert Windust was not physically strong
and this may have accounted for the fact that he had very little formal schooling.
He was tutored in his early years by his mother and entered a public school at the
fourth grade level. He ended his formak education in the sixth grade. Despite
this, Albert Windust during his life attained a depth of knowledge and spiritual
wisdom reached by very few.
At the age of fourteen Albert became an apprentice in the
printing firm where his father worked. The following November his mother died. His
interest in nature awakened a desire to draw, and he became a pupil at Chicago's
Art Institute. Through associations made in the printing business, he
illustrated stories of many authors, including Opie Read and H. Rider Haggard.
