John Wallace Winborne was an American jurist who served on the North Carolina Supreme Court

North Carolina Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of North Carolina is the state's highest appellate court. Until the creation of the North Carolina Court of Appeals in the 1960s, it was the state's only appellate court. The Supreme Court consists of six associate justices and one chief justice, although the number of justices...

 from 1937-1962, including service as chief justice from 1956-1962.

Born in Chowan County, North Carolina

Chowan County, North Carolina

- Law and government :Chowan County is a member of the Albemarle Commission regional council of government-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 14,793 people, 5,580 households, and 4,006 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile . There...

, Winborne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...

, moved to Marion, North Carolina

Marion, North Carolina

Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.-Geography:Marion is located at ....

 around 1910, and joined the law firm of J. Will Pless. He became active in politics, serving as chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party

North Carolina Democratic Party

The North Carolina Democratic Party is the North Carolina affiliate of the national Democratic Party in the United States. It is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are located in the historic Goodwin house which is located in the downtown area of Raleigh at 220 Hillsborough Street...

 at one time. Winborne was also a mason

Freemasonry

Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...

 and rose to become grand master of the state Masonic Lodge. He was appointed by Gov. Clyde R. Hoey

Clyde R. Hoey

Clyde Roark Hoey was a Democratic politician from North Carolina. He served in both houses of the state legislature and served briefly in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1919 to 1921. He was North Carolina's governor from 1937 to 1941. He entered the U.S...

 to the state's highest court as an associate justice when the court's size was increased from five to seven justices in 1937. Gov. Luther Hodges appointed Winborne chief justice in 1956 after Chief Justice Barnhill retired.