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William J. Winchester
American politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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William J. Winchester (c. 1876 – January 3, 1952[1]) was a city councilor and state legislator in Delaware. He served from 1948 until 1952 and was the first African American in the Delaware House of Representatives. A historical marker the state capital, Wilmington, Delaware, commemorates him and other of the state's pioneering African American legislators.[2]
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Life before politics
William J. Winchester was born in Barclay, Maryland around 1876. In 1888, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware.[1]
He married a woman named Alverta.[3] They had one child, vibraphonist Lem Winchester.[3] Winchester served as grand master of a local Odd Fellows lodge.[1]
Political career and life
He was a Republican.[4] Winchester served on the Wilmington City Council for sixteen years, leaving the council in 1941.[1]
He ran for the Delaware House of Representatives in 1944 and was defeated.[1] He was elected in 1948, making him the first Black man elected to the Delaware House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 1950.[5]
While serving in the house, Winchester worked as superintendent for Wilmington's garbage collection.[1] In June 1949, Winchester was awarded an honorary doctor of law from Delaware State College.[1]
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Death
Winchester became sick in late 1951, missing numerous legislative sessions.[1] He died of cerebral thrombosis at his house in Wilmington on January 3, 1952, while serving his second term in office.[1][5]
At the time of his death, he was a member of the Odd Fellows and Elks. He was also a trustee and the treasurer of Mount Joy Methodist Church and a trustee of Morgan State University.[1]
Legacy
In 1979, a bridge in Wilmington over the Christina River at Third Street was named in his honor.[6]
See also
References
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