William J. Winchester (c. 1876-1952[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]
William J. Winchester | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Delaware House of Representatives from the Delaware's 1st House of Representatives district | |
| In office 1948–1952 | |
| Wilmington City Council | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1875 or 1876 Barclay, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 76) Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Alverta Winchester |
| Children | Lem Winchester |
| Profession | Politician |
| [1] | |
Life before politics
editWilliam 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
editHe 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]
Death
editWinchester 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
editIn 1979, a bridge in Wilmington over the Christina River at Third Street was named in his honor.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "William J. Winchester Dies; First of Race in State Assembly". The News Journal. 3 January 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "South Wilmington - Cradle of African American Political Leadership".
- ^ a b "Widow of William J Winchester". The Morning News. January 22, 1977. p. 15 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Hornsby, Alton Jr. (August 23, 2011). Black America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781573569767 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Munroe, John A. (2004). The Philadelawareans, and other essays relating to Delaware. Newark: University of Delaware Press. p. 148. ISBN 9780874138726. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Chapter - Delaware General Assembly". legis.delaware.gov.