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Oliver Fisher Winchester (November 30, 1810 - December 11, 1880) was a famous American buisnessman and politician. His main claim to fame was his manufacture and marketing of the Volcanic repeating rifle, known as the Winchester rifle after he changed the company's name to Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
Winchester was a clothing manufacturer in New York, New York, and New Haven, Connecticut, before investing his money in the Volcanic Arms Company when it was founded in 1850. By 1856, Winchester was the principal stockholder in the company and had it move to New Haven, changing the name to New Haven Arms Company. Winchester hired Benjamin Henry to improve on the Volcanic repeating rifle, with the result being the Henry repeating rifle. The Company's name was briefly changed to the Henry Repeating Arms Company, but then renamed Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1865.
The repeating rifles were used somewhat in the Civil War. However, the United States Army at that time did not use many repeating rifles as it was a new, untested technology and the army would rather spend money on proven firearms. The Winchester was not popular until after the Civil War, but was accecpted by civilians, not the military. With thousands of rifles in the hands of the average pioneer, it was considered "the gun that won the West".
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 - 1867.
When Winchester died his ownership in the company passed to his son, William Winchester, who died of tuberculosis in March of the next year. William's wife Sarah believed the family was cursed by the spirits killed by the Winchster rifle, and moved to California and began building a chaotic mansion with her inheratance, to confuse the spirts seeking revenge.
