Wesley J. Winkler
The most elaborate history is necessarily a merciless abridgment, the historian being compelled to select his facts and materials from manifold details. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer must needs touch only the more salient points, giving the keynote of the character but eliminating all that is superfluous. Within the pages of this work will be found mention of many prominent and influential citizens whose lives have been practically passed in Wayne county and who are representatives of sturdy pioneer families who settled in this section of Ohio many years ago. Among this class is the subject of this sketch, who occupies today a prominent place in the business circles of Orrville.
W. J. Winkler first saw the light of day about three miles west of Orrville on the 13th of February, 1857, and is a son of J. W. Winkler. The latter also was a native of Wayne county, having been born and reared at Paradise. He followed the pursuit of farming during his active years, and his death occurred in 1900 at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a prominent man in his community and had given efficient service as trustee. He married Elizabeth Johnson, who was born and reared about five miles west of Orrville, and who is now living in the town of Orrville, at the age of eighty-two years. By this union she became the mother of eight children, who are briefly mentioned as follows; Minerva E. died in Kansas; J. C. who was a successful teacher and prominent citizen of Wayne county, is deceased: W. J., the subject of this sketch; is the nest in the order of birth; Sarah is the wife if Henry Deneka, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Emma lives in Orrville; Walter E. lives at Buda, Illinois.
W. J. Winkler remained under the parental roof during his youth and received a good common school education. He followed the pursuit of farming until he was twenty-six years old, when, in 1883, he went to Orrville and engaged in the buying and selling of horses. His enterprise met with success almost from the start and he carried it on alone until 1900, when a stock company was organized under the name of the Winkler Horse Company, for the purpose of enlarging the scope of operations. Of this company Mr. Winkler was elected president and has continued to direct the management of its affairs. The company has done a tremendous amount of business since its inception, some idea of which may be gained from the statement that in 1906 they deposited in the Orrville Bank the sum of four hundred and ninety-seven thousand dollars, and the business has since grown to a far greater figure. The business consists in buying, feeding, shipping and handling horses, many of which are sold to farmers throughout this section of the state. From fifteen hundred to twenty-five hundred horses are handled annually, and consists principally of feeding horses, which are developed into the perfect type of draft horses and sold to farmers in this vicinity.
In 1893 Mr. Winkler inaugurated monthly auction sales, selling consigned horses, and this department of the business has increased to such an extent that now they have weekly auction sales. They are equipped to handle any number of horses which may be consigned to them, their barn having a capacity for accommodating one hundred and fifty head. They maintain their own veterinary surgeon and hospital, so that any stock placed in their charge receives the best of care and attention. They handle much high-grade stock, many fresh western horses passing through their hands. Mr. Winkler himself is a good judge of equine flesh and often makes purchases of good horses for others who prefer to trust to his judgment.
Mr. Winkler takes a commendable interest in local affairs, and has served as a member of the Orrville town council. He is a Democrat, but does not take a very active part in political matters.
On the 27th of September 1888, Mr. Winkler was united in marriage to Emma Kradill, the daughter of Christian Kradill, of Lewisville, Stark county, Ohio, she having been born and reared on a farm near there. To this union five children have been born, as follows: Edith May, Frederick N., Beulah E., Nellie E. and Robert J., the last-named dying at the age of four years.
Mr. Winkler gives practically his entire time to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with creditable and well-deserved success. All that he has is the reward of his own labor, and his life record proves what a potent element is diligence in the active affairs of life.
From The History of Wayne County, Ohio, Vol. 1, B. E. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, 1910