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York & New Haven Railroad Company.
In the meantime, he saw the Westport
concern rise from a precarious condition
to one of prosperity as the result of the
united and earnest purpose of himself and
his associates to deal fairly with its pa-
trons.
Mr. Winchester's scientific and social
affiliations are numerous. He holds the
highest grade, that of Fellow, and has
been a full member, of the American In-
stitute of Electrical Engineers since 1887.
He is also a founder member of the Edison
Pioneers, who were the great inven-
tor's helpers in his discoveries before the
latter eighties. He is a member of Old
Well Lodge, No. 108, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons ; Butler Chapter, No.
38, Royal Arch Masons ; Washington
Council, No. 6, Royal and Select Masters
Washington Commandery, No. 3, Knights
Templar ; and Pyramid Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. His memberships also include
the Eastern Star, the Red Men, Elks,
Heptasophs, Royal Arcanum, South Norwalk
Club, Knob Club, Council of the
Norwalk Division of the Boy Scouts of
America, and others.
Since 1893 Mr. Winchester has been a
constantly active member of the South
Norwalk Fire Department, of which he
was chief for two terms, stepping back
into the ranks in 1907. After twenty
years of continuous service he was made
an active life member of Old Well Hook
& Ladder Company, which he had early
joined, and of which he is now treasurer.
In the volunteer service he is credited
with never having faltered in the line of
duty ; regardless of weather, personal
safety or other consideration he would be
found in the thick of the fight, using good
judgment and telling efiForts, which won
him the respect of his associates and the
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
citizens generally. He is also a member
of the Connecticut State Firemen's Asso-
ciation and the Connecticut Fire Chief's
Club.
He has often been mentioned for politi-
cal offices of prominence, but has declined
to be a candidate. He is opposed to en-
tering any political contest for the glory
of winning, or to oppose a friend, or to
seek and accept an office that is held and
wanted by a man who has faithfully ren-
dered efficient service.
Though he is an inventor of acknow-
ledged genius, Mr. Winchester has never
taken out any patents for himself, holding
that his employers were entitled to the
results of his eflforts. Among other de-
vices, he originated one of the first practical
quick-break switches for heavy
electric currents, the exact principles of
which are in general use to-day. The
sectional iron bracket pole for supporting
trolley wires was developed by him ;
also
improvements in the key sockets for in-
candescent lamps ; an
automatic trolley
pole and contact for electric train service
an early car motor controller, and he
aided in the evolution of the one now
commonly in use on electric street cars.
He contributed many other improvements
and modifications of great value to trol-
251
ley line appliances and construction, to
which work he was assigned for a consid-
erable period of time. In 1916-17 he collaborated
with the General Electric Company
in evolving the new type of very
efficient ornamental street lighting unit
that was first installed in South Norwalk
in 1918. He was also detailed from time
to time on special lines under the direc-
tion of Mr. Edison, of which fact he is
justly proud, and believes that his contact
with the great inventor has been of incal-
culable benefit to him. Mr. Winchester's
speciality, however, has gradually con-
;