Oliver Winchester

Birth Name:

Oliver Fisher Winchester

Birth Date:

November 30, 1810

Birth Place:

Boston, Massachusetts

Death Date:

December 10, 1880

Place of Death:

New Haven, Connecticut

Age:

Cause of Death:

Long term illness

Cemetery Name:

Evergreen Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Business and Finance

Associates:

Sarah Winchester

Oliver Fisher Winchester was an American businessman and politician, best known as the founder of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven, Connecticut. Interesting to note that repeating rifles were used to some extent in the American Civil War. However, the United States Army at that time did not use many repeating rifles as they were expensive and too advanced for the outdated tactics used in the war. Repeating rifles were not widely used until after the war when they became increasingly popular with civilians. Military authorities concentrated primarily on perfecting breech-loading single shot rifles for many more years. With thousands of rifles in the hands of the average pioneer, the Winchester repeating rifles gained a reputation as "The Gun that Won the West". Oliver Winchester was also active in politics, serving as a New Haven City Commissioner, Republican Presidential elector in 1864, and as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1866 to 1867.

Fun Facts

When Oliver Winchester died on December 10, 1880, his ownership in the company passed to his son, William Wirt Winchester, who died of tuberculosis just four months later. William’s wife, Sarah, moved to San Jose, California, where she began building the infamous mansion now known as the Winchester Mystery House with her inheritance.

William and Sarah Winchester are buried just a short walk down the road from Oliver’s final resting place.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Evergreen Cemetery

769 Ella T Grasso Blvd

New Haven, Connecticut, 06519

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut

Grave Location:

Highland Avenue, Plot 64, Grave 16

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery drive straight ahead until the road ends. Turn right and take the second road from the left up the hill – this is Highland Avenue (if you are level with the lake you took the wrong road). Drive up the hill and as it veers to the right look for the Winchester Family monument on your right.