James J. Winans

Who was James J. Winans?

James January Winans was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

Born in Maysville, Kentucky, Winans moved with his parents to Greene County, Ohio. He attended the common schools and Transylvania University of Lexington, Kentucky. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1841 and commenced practice in Indiana. He moved to Xenia, Ohio, in 1843 and continued the practice of law. He served as clerk of the Greene County Courts 1845-1851. He served in the State senate in 1857. He served as judge of the court of common pleas 1864-1871.

Winans was elected as a Republican to the Forty-first Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1870 to the Forty-second Congress. He resumed the practice of law. He died in Xenia, Ohio, April 28, 1879. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery.