Col. (Judge) John Gano Winter (1799-1865)

First name:
John
Middle name:
Gano
Second name:
Winter
Date of birth:
1799
Date of death:
1865

Much has been written, (and is available on-line), about the life John G. Winter, a prominent industrialist and one-time mayor of Columbus, Georgia, USA, (eg. The letters of a Georgia Unionist: John G. Winter and Succession. Georgia Historical Quarterly Vol 4 (1961) pp. 385-402.). A staunch unionist, Winter was forced to sell many of his business interests and move from Columbus following the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. He appears to have spent much of the rest of his life in Britain, campaigning for the Unionist cause and for the relief of suffering resulting from the conflict. He died in New York City on 3rd December 1865.

It is not known whether John Winter had associations with the American coal-oil industry, but it appears that he and other American emigrés had substantial involvement in oil operations in North Wales. Looking back on the oil boom, an account printed in 1869 states:

"Capitalists were rushing not only from all parts of the United Kingdom, but even from America itself, for quite a colony of Americans were there, with Judge Winter at their head, bent upon " licking the Britishers" on their own soil in the beneficent struggle of manufacturing enterprise."
(subsequently)..."The small American colony was dispersed, and their substantially built works transferred at a great sacrifice to another company ; their projector and original proprietor, Judge Winter, returned to America, and the large capital he brought to England was all wasted. he died very shortly after, and it is generally supposed in Flintshire that the troubles, disappointment, labour and anxiety he passed through in Wales hastened, if it did not produce, his death. We take this opportunity of assuring his friends in America that they were not alone in lamenting his unexpected death, and that his memory is kindly and respectfully cherished among his old business rivals in North Wales."

The identity of the "substantially built works" remains unclear. The only contemporary reference to Winter found in the local press was as signatory to a petition; "The Padeswood Oil Works, per F. F. Winter. Major". It seems possible that this referred to the Coppa Oil Works. Further reference if made to Judge Winter in Arthur Robottom's memoirs:

"I remember judge Winter and a number of friends came over from America to investigate our operations. He presented his letter of introduction to Robottom and Co., in the wooden house"

Oil Industry Interests

References

  • "A strong speech" was made by Judge Winter at a meeting, in London, of loyal Americans celebrating the birthday of Washington - The Western Gazette, 28th February 1863.
  • "Judge Winter, in an eloquent speech, explained the object of the society, which is to grant additional aid to wounded soldiers, whether Federal or Confederate, and also to assist in the sanitary arrangements of the army." at a meeting in London of the United States Sanitary Commission, - The Freeman's Journal, 26th February 1864
  • Judge Winter was listed amongst the platform party at a public meeting held in London following Lincoln's assassination - The Kentish Chronicle, 6th May 1865

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