A.M. Winn was born in
Pumpkinville, Louden County, Virginia in 1810. His family moved
to Zanesville, Ohio, where he attended a one room school and,
at the age of 16, became a carpenter’s apprentice. In 1829
he married Catherine Gaffney in Zanesville, and they moved to
Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1832. Albert became a Lieutenant in
the local militia in 1835. He also became a member of the Fraternal
order of Oddfellows, and was a Jackson Democrat.
Winn took a sailboat upriver to Freeport and walked from there to Sutter’s Fort, where he arrived on June 15. Arriving in Sacramento City on June 25th, he set up his carpenter’s bench under the shade of an oak tree at the foot of K Street, and commenced work on a coffin, which he immediately sold for $50. He started to manufacture gold rockers which were in great demand. On August 1st he was elected as a member of the Sacramento City Council and became its President on August 25th. During this time he became a partner with Baker and McGhee in a store where he organized a meeting of Oddfellows on August 20th, for the purpose of providing assistance and relief to brother Oddfellows who were suffering from illness and distress from their overland or ocean voyage, and to bury the dead. Winn’s first order of business when he became President of the City Council was to ensure that the dead were provided a coffin for burial. Prior to then, the dead were buried in their blanket, in which they were sewn.
Sometime during Fall of 1849, Captain John Sutter gave Winn power of attorney to sell land and Winn, as Sutter’s agent offered lots and farms on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers for sale. Winn also borrowed $5,000 in Sutter’s name at 10% interest per month and failed to notify Sutter or furnish an accounting. Sutter learned of this indebtedness only when the Sheriff served an attachment on him. By that time the debt had grown to $35,000.
The flood of January 1850 ruined the entire stock of Winn, Baker & McGhee and the business failed. Winn entered into a partnership with A. C. Latson on February 28, 1850, advertising their business as builders and lumber merchants. When Sacramento City became chartered on February 23rd, an election was held for new city officers. Hardin Bigelow was elected Mayor on April 1st and Winn relinquished his position as Mayor. Winn’s previous military experience in Mississippi led to his appointment as an officer in the California State Militia. On April 10th, the California Legislature passed a resolution appointing A. M. Winn as Brigidier-General. Governor Peter Burnett approved his appointment and four year later he was reappointed by Governor John Bigler.
troubles in El Dorado County. During the Cholera Epidemic of October - November 1850, Winn used his entire stock of lumber making coffins to bury the dead at his own expense.
A. M. Winn founded the Native Sons of the Golden West (NSGW)and the Native Daughters of the Golden West. The NSGW was originally organized for an Independence Day Parade in 1875. Winn called the first meeting of the NSGW on July 11, 1879 at Anthony’s Hall on Bush Street. At this first meeting was adopted a Constitution and By-Laws.