Born on December 26, 1835, in Northfield, Vermont, Winch read law in 1858.
He continued private practice in Houston, Texas starting in 1864.
He was United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas from 1869 to 1870.
[1] Winch received a recess appointment from President Ulysses S. Grant on October 11, 1870, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas vacated by Judge John Charles Watrous.
[1] Following his departure from the federal bench, Winch resumed private practice in Houston, Texas from 1871 to 1880.