Christopher C. Wimbish facts for kids

Christopher Columbus Wimbish, Jr. (1895 – 1962) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a state senator in Illinois from 1942 to 1955. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Life and Education

Christopher C. Wimbish, Jr. was born in 1895 in Atlanta, Georgia. His mother was Maggie Baker Wimbish, an educator. His father, Christopher C. Wimbish Sr., was also a politician.

Young Wimbish went to Houston Street Public School. He later attended Atlanta University. In 1914, he graduated from Howard University. After college, he returned to Atlanta and worked in the life insurance business.

Serving in World War I

In 1917, Wimbish volunteered to join the United States Army during World War I. He became a first lieutenant. He served at Camp Funston in Kansas. He also served in France with the 366th Brigade of the 92nd Division. This African-American brigade fought in important battles in France.

After the war ended in November 1918, Wimbish stayed in France for three more months. He returned to the United States in February 1919 on a ship called the RMS Aquitania. He was honorably discharged from the army in April 1919.

After his military service, Wimbish moved to Philadelphia. He bought a movie theater called the Idle Hour Theater. He owned this theater until 1923.

Career as a Lawyer and Politician

After selling his theater, Wimbish moved to Chicago. He studied law at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He graduated in 1925. He then worked at a law firm called Temple, Wimbish, and McLendon. He worked on cases involving property and civil rights.

In 1927, Wimbish became an assistant state's attorney for Illinois. He held this job until 1931. Later, in 1940, he worked for the City of Chicago as an assistant corporation counsel. He left that position in 1941. He also helped a Chief Justice of the Chicago Municipal Court.

Wimbish married Odessa Ireland, who was a teacher for Chicago Public Schools.

Becoming an Illinois State Senator

In the late 1930s, Wimbish changed his political party. He left the Republican Party and joined the Democratic Party. In 1938, he tried to become a state senator for Illinois but did not win.

In 1942, he tried again. With strong support from the Democratic Party, he was elected as a state senator. He represented the third district of Illinois. He was re-elected two more times, serving until 1955. He lost party support in 1954 after a disagreement with another politician, William L. Dawson.

Key Achievements as Senator

During his time as a senator, Christopher Wimbish worked on an important bill. It was called the Fair Employment Practices bill. This was his biggest political success. The bill aimed to prevent unfair treatment in jobs. It finally became a law in 1961.

He also gave speeches about important topics. These included racial discrimination, voting rights, and military service. In 1953, he was the only Black person serving in the Illinois State Senate. A newspaper columnist from the Chicago Tribune called him "one of the best liked members of the legislature."

Later Life and Legacy

In 1958, Wimbish ran for a position called Trustee of the Chicago Sanitary District. He received support from the Democratic Party again and won the election. He served as a trustee until he passed away in 1962.

Wimbish and his wife lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. Later, they moved to the Kenwood neighborhood.

Wimbish was a member of several important groups. These included the NAACP, the American Legion, and Alpha Phi Alpha. He was also a Catholic and attended Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Christopher C. Wimbish, Jr. died at his home in Kenwood, Chicago, in 1962. He was buried in Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia. After his death, the Chicago Tribune newspaper described him as "a leader of the Chicago Negro community."

His personal papers and records are kept at the Chicago History Museum.