Yolo-San Francisco-Sacramento County CA Archives Biographies.....Winne, William H. 1840 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 14, 2006, 3:56 pm Author: Tom Gregory (1913) WILLIAM H. WINNE One of the most potent factors in the progress of Woodland, having contributed both time and talent toward its development since his identification with the community in 1868, Mr. Winne indeed deserves the place he occupies in the fortunes of this prosperous town. The descendant of one of the old Holland-Dutch families of New Amsterdam, he was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y., December 1, 1840, and spent his boyhood on the farm of his parents, John P. and Amelia (Snyder) Winne. Upon the completion of his studies in the country school of the district in which he lived, he proceeded to fit himself for the trade of carpenter and builder and was thus occupied when at the age of twenty the Civil war began. Heart and soul with the movement, Mr. Winne identified himself with Company B, Thirty-second New York Volunteer Infantry, and after two years was honorably discharged in June, 1863, receiving the insignia of lieutenant in recognition of creditable conduct throughout the battle of Crampton Gap. At this time he was also honored by his own company, which gave him a sword and equipment worthy of his service. In October, 1863, he joined the engineering corps, in which he served until peace was declared, when he was honorably discharged, having taken part in most of the battles of the Army of the Potomac. By way of the Isthmus of Panama Mr. Winne came to California, arriving in San Francisco in April, 1867, and for a short time thereafter he was employed in that city and in Sacramento. His advent in Woodland occurred in 1868 and at once he recognized the part he was privileged to play in the progress of the city and immediately interested himself in its needs. Following the old adage "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well," Mr. Winne filled the years that followed with many evidences of his ability in his chosen work, proving himself a capable architect and builder. From time to time he bought property in Woodland, disposing of it frequently at great profit, and at the present time owns not only the fine residence which he occupies, but also almost a block of College street residences. The German Lutheran, Episcopal and other churches were erected by him, and the stores, residences, etc., that he has built are too numerous to mention. He constructed Woodland's first public school house and was also called upon throughout the county to build churches, dwellings, barns, etc., his fame as a builder having gone far beyond the confines of Woodland. In 1879 Mr. Winne, associated with James Silby, built and operated the first planing mill ever established in Woodland, at First and Bush streets. Mr. Winne has long been an active member of the G. A. R. and August 1, 1884, organized William H. Seward Post No. 65, G. A. R., in Woodland. Starting with nineteen members and passing the one hundred mark, the membership has diminished until but twenty-five now answer to the roll call. Mr. Winne has more than once been commander and his deep devotion to his country and his enthusiastic efforts in behalf of the Gr. A. R. have kept at par the interest and activity of the post. He was made a Mason in Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1863, and is now a member of Woodland Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M., and is also a member of Woodland Chapter No. 46, R. A. M. Several times he has been chosen high priest by the Woodland fraternity. In his political views he is an old-line Republican. Though no longer engaged in active labor Mr. Winne still continues his interest in the improvement and upbuilding of Woodland. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/winne178gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb