David Winter was born in Berkeley County and was graduated from the Southern Commercial College of Charleston in 1913. He served as acting Postmaster in Ladson and attended law school at the University of South Carolina, where he received his LL.B. degree, graduating magna cum laude, in 1920. He was the senior orator of the 1920 class.
He formed the Columbia partnership of Cooper & Winter with Paul A. Cooper. He also maintained a Berkeley partnership, Winter & Winter, with his brother, Marion F. Winter and was the counsel for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Berkeley county for many years.
In the early 1920s, he eloped with Miss Mamie Lucille Clinkscales of Honea Path. About 1930, he withdrew from Cooper & Winter and continued to practice alone.
Mr. Winter was instrumental in forming Capital Life Insurance Co. and was President prior to the sale and merger with United Life Insurance Company. He was also the organizing attorney and general counsel of Capital Life & Accident Insurance Company.
In 1945, he served as President of the Richland County Bar. In 1950, he formed the partnership of Winter & Winter with his son, David McKewn Winter, Jr., which continued until the death of his son in 1982. Mr. Winter was not active in practice after 1971.
He was a Sunday School teacher (Winter class) and Deacon at the Park Street Baptist Church. He was a Master Mason (Life Member) of the Berkeley Lodge in Moncks Corner, and a Trustee and Life Member of the President’s Council at the University of South Carolina. He established an unpublicized law student loan fund and was a member of the Executives Club and the North Columbia Optimist Club. He was also an avid sportsman.
A scholar and gentleman noted for thoroughness in preparing his cases and respected by his fellow attorneys.