John J. Winter (October 27, 1866 – July 1, 1946) was an American politician and farmer who was a member of the
Minnesota House of Representatives from the 46th district.
Early life
Winter was born on October 27, 1866, in
Stearns County, Minnesota. His father, John Winter, was an
American Civil War veteran and pioneer of Stearns County.[1] He married Mary Lenz in 1891 and the couple had 10 children together.
Political career
Winter was an active politician in the state of
Minnesota. In 1901, he became the town clerk of
Spring Hill, Minnesota, a position that he would hold until 1912.[2][3]
Minnesota House of Representatives
In 1916, he ran for Minnesota's first 46th
House of Representatives district. In the primary, he fought against Robert R. Kells, which he would succeed in.[4][5] He was a candidate for re-election for the same seat,[6] although lost.
In 1922, he ran against incumbent Thomas J. Flahaven in the Minnesota House of Representatives for the same district he once held, although lost.[7][8]
In 1928, he ran again for Minnesota's first 46th House of Representatives district. In an upset, he lost to incumbent Zeno F. Moser by 687 votes.[9]
Other offices
Winter was a delegate to the Stearns County Democratic Party convention in 1902 and 1922.[10][11]
Personal life and death
Winter lived in Spring Hill, Minnesota, up until his death. On July 1, 1946, at approximately 12:40 a.m., Winter died aged 79 shortly after falling ill.[12]
Electoral history
1916 Minnesota's first 48th House of Representatives district general election[13]
Candidate
Votes
%
John J. Winter
1,353
54.51%
Robert R. Kells
1,131
45.57%
Total votes
2,482
100.00%
1918 Minnesota's first 48th House of Representatives district election[14][15]
Primary election
Candidate
Votes
%
Thomas J. Flahaven
1,160
44.24%
John J. Winter
744
28.38%
Charles R. Bruce
718
27.38%
Total votes
2,622
100.00%
General election
Thomas J. Flahaven
1,219
58.69%
John J. Winter
858
41.31%
Total votes
2,077
100.00%
1922 Minnesota's first 48th House of Representatives district general election[16]
Candidate
Votes
%
Thomas J. Flahaven
2,161
59.75%
John J. Winter
1,456
40.25%
Total votes
3,617
100.00%
1928 Minnesota's first 48th House of Representatives district general election[9]