William Henry Winchester of River Falls enlisted on April 22, 1861, in the Hudson City Guards, which became Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry. The 4th Wisconsin was mounted and its named changed to the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry. Winchester, a musician, was promoted to Chief Bugler on August 22, 1863.
His obituary from the July 19, 1894, River Falls Journal:
D I E D.
WINCHESTER.—At his home in this city, July 12, 1894, William Henry Winchester, aged 73 years.
—Mr. Winchester was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Eliza Sparhawk by whom he had one son, Justin W. Winchester, who died recently at Pembina, N. D. His first wife died May 15th, 1843. In Nov., 1847, he married Miss Jane R. Kesey who survives him. The fruit of this marriage was three children, two of whom, little girls, died while young. The son G. C. Winchester survives his father and is well known as a prosperous merchant in Warren, Minnesota.
Mr. Winchester came to River Falls in the fall of 1854 and liking the place returned for his family. On the breaking out of the war of 1861 Mr. Winchester at once enlisted in the 4th Wis. Vols., being the first to enroll his name from River Falls. His first enlistment was for three months but at the end of his term he re-enlisted for three years, serving his full term. The exposures incident to the military service injured his health and he has been an invalid for several years.
Very soon after the formation of the Congregational church of this place he united with it and has been an active member for nearly forty years.
Mr. Winchester possessed a genial happy temperament and was a general favorite with all his friends. He has been to a considerable degree identified with movements of public interest in River Falls and forward in promoting that which he regarded as of general utility.
He was buried on Saturday last, the G. A. R. attending the funeral in a body and performing the impressive rites of the order at the cemetery. Three members of his old regiment walked by the side of the hearse. Many friends gathered at the funeral to sympathize with the bereaved wife and son in their loss of a kind husband and father.
Rev. Wm. Gill, his old pastor, officiated at the services at the house assisted by Rev. Geo. Cressey. Among the relatives present were Mr. G. C. Winchester and wife of Warren, Minn., Mrs. J. W. Winchester of Pembina, N. D., and Walter Winchester, his grandson.
RIVER FALLS, WIS., July 14, 1894.
WHEREAS, It has pleased the Ruler of the Universe to call to a higher sphere, our beloved Comrade W. H. Winchester, late chief bugler of 4th Wis. Cavalry, thus breaking the link in the chain that bound us in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty, therefore be it
Resolved, That in the death of Comrade W. H. Winchester we lost a true friend and an honorable man, his wife a kind and affectionate husband, the family a loving and indulgent father.
Resolved, That in token of our esteem and in memory of his virtues we drape the Charter of our Post in mourning for the space of thirty days.
Resolved, That we extend to the family and relatives of our deceased comrade our deepest sympathy and condolence.
Resolved, That this testimonial of our sympathy be spread upon the records of the Post, a copy be transmitted to the bereaved relatives of our deceased comrade, and a copy sent to our local paper for publication.
W. P. MARSHALL,
G. A. CRESSEY,
C. G. KNOWLES,
L. SPALDING,
. .Com.
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 