- JOHN WINANS, Janesville, was born in the town of Vernon,
county of Sussex, New Jersey,
- on Sept. 27, 1831. His father, William R. WINANS, and his
uncle, Ross WINANS, of Baltimore, were descendants of the Hollanders,
who were among the earliest settlers of that State.
- The subject of this sketch, after reading law at Newton and
Trenton, N.J., and a portion of the
- time with Martin Ryerson, since one of the Supreme and circuit
judges of that State, was, in the fall of 1855, admitted to practice
in all courts.
- In the fall of 1857 Mr. WINANS came to Wisconsin, locating
at the city of Janesville, engaging in
- the practice of his profession, where he has since resided.
The source of every lawyer's wealth, so far as the practice of
his profession is concerned, is the confidence of the people
in his personal and professional integrity. This confidence,
though easily lost, can only be won and retained by a long and
honorable professional career. His very large and successful
legal business demonstrates that Mr. WINANS has not only won
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, but that he
easily and justly retains them.
- He possesses all the qualifications requisite to a great
lawyer. In his mental organization he is clear,
- calm and comprehensive, and while in his affections he is
tender and sympathetic, yet his will-power and sense of justice
are so strong that he cannot be moved from those things which
he believes are just and proper, or swerve in the least from
the path in which duty and honor call him to go. Well grounded
in the principles of the law, industrious and attentive to business,
he brings to all cases entrusted to him thorough preparation
and careful study. Some lawyers have great power in discussing
questions of fact to a jury, but are not equally able in arguing
the points of law to the court. Mr. WINANS is fortunate in possessing
those qualities of mind and heart which enable him to excel in
both positions, and it would be difficult for his brethren to
determine in which he takes the highest rank and is most successful.
- His arguments to the jury are clear, forcible and impressive,
and in important cases are character-
- ized by a sincerity, zeal and persuasive eloquence that at
once command and retain the attention, and not infrequently touch
and move every heart, while those addressed to the court are
models of logical clearness and legal analysis. In Rock County,
which has always had an able bar, Mr. WINANS stands to-day the
acknowledged leader, and his brethren throughout the State accord
to him a position in the very foremost rank of the profession.
The late Senator Carpenter, whose fame as a lawyer is national,
said that if he had an important case of his own, he would as
soon commit it to Mr. WINANS, or one other lawyer whom he named,
as to any member of the bar of Wisconsin. His uniform kindness
and courtesy to his professional brethren are as noticeable as
they are worthy of imitation, and however vexatious or perplexing
the circumstances of a case may be, he never becomes angry or
for one moment loses his self-possession. It may be unnecessary
to add that such a man and lawyer is ever a faithful friend and
an upright, honorable citizen. In politics Mr. WINANS has been
classed as a Democrat, though he follows his own convictions
instead of the dictations of party. In 1864, he was a member
of the Democratic National Convention of Chicago; in 1868 the
Democratic candidate for Congress in the Second congressional
district, then composed of the counties of Rock, Jefferson, Dane
and Columbia, which being largely Republican, he was defeated;
and Member of the Assembly in 1874 and 1882. To every public
position he has been called to fill, which have been many, he
has brought abilities amply adequate to the performance of every
duty, and a sincerity and uprightness of purpose which places
all his acts above cavil or reproach. Mr. WINANS, both in his
professional life and in his public acts has ever been governed
by high moral principle. And this is "the only torch to
light the way of a lawyer amidst the darkness and obstruction.
It is like the spear of the guardian of paradise."
- The above, taken from The Bench and Bar of Wisconsin,
published in 1882, is understood to be
- from the pen of Judge John R. Bennett. Since its publication
Mr. WINANS has been called to several positions of honor and
trust. Although pre-eminently a lawyer, his success in politics
has been remarkable. Living in a Republican State and in an overwhelmingly
Republican congressional and assembly district, he has always
adhered to the Democratic party, but as a Democrat has displayed
a liberality and independence that brings respect and confidence
from political opponents. The people irrespective of party, conscious
of his ability and desiring his services, have on three several
[separate] occasion elected him, although a pronounced Democrat,
to represent them in the Legislature. He was so elected in the
fall of 1873, and was made chairman of the Committee on Judiciary,
and took a leading part in all matters before the House. During
that session the Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin, said: "Mr.
WINANS is the conceded leader, although several others aspired
to that distinction. He is the most eloquent speaker in the assembly,
and is always listened to with attention." The Milwaukee
News, referring to him, said: "He was the ablest
debater on the reform side of the House."
- Mr. WINANS was again elected to the Legislature from the
Janesville district in 1882, and served
- with distinction. He was nominated and voted for by the Democrats
as Speaker of the Assembly, but his party, being in the minority,
was of course defeated. During the session of 1882 the Milwaukee
Sentinel said of him: "Mr. WINANS is one of the most
interesting speakers in the Assembly. He is forcible, eloquent
and sensible, and never gets up to address the Assembly unless
he has something to say." In referring to one of his speeches
the Madison Democrat said: "One of the ablest and
most effective speeches ever made in the Legislature of Wisconsin
was made by Assemblyman WINANS on Thursday morning, on the bill
to appropriate $2,000 to the widow of the murdered Sheriff Coleman.
The bill came up for consideration, its indefinite postponement
having been recommended by the Committee on Claims, but after
the speech of Mr. WINANS it was ordered engrossed with scarcely
a dissenting vote."
- In 1886 Mr. WINANS again represented the city of Janesville
in the Legislature and was again
- voted for by his party for Speaker of the Assembly. He was
also honored by being selected as the Democratic candidate for
United States Senator, against Philetus Sawyer, the political
complexion of the Legislature of course preventing his election.
The Madison Democrat, in speaking of him during the session,
said: "Just after the adjournment yesterday a squad of Republican
members, on passing out of the building said: 'Well, we have
no such man as WINANS in the Chamber. He is a host in himself
and as sound as granite on all measures. He can carry the House
just about as he pleases.'"
- In the fall of 1882, Mr. WINANS was elected to Congress from
the first congressional district,
- which then had a Republican majority of over 5,000. He served
his term in Congress with credit to himself and his district,
and although deeply appreciating the honor done him, declined
a renomination. He has frequently served his friends in lesser
political offices, such as City Attorney and Mayor, having been
twice elected to the last named office by large majorities. Under
his administration as Mayor many public improvements were accomplished,
notably flagmen at railway crossings, "the Evansville cut-off"
(so-called), a system of waterworks, street cars, fire alarm
system and electric lights.
- On July 4, 1888, at the national convention of the Democratic
Club, held in Baltimore, Md., Mr.
- WINANS was made its permanent chairman.
- Mr. WINANS is still in the prime of manhood, and actively
engaged in the practice of his pro-
- fession and has promise of years of future usefulness.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 843-845.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|