WINK, Henry
Henry WINK. Among the citizens of Toluca who are of German
birth is the gentleman of whom this narrative is written. He
was reared in his native land, and there learned the traits
of economy and frugality which have been the source of his
present competency. Many of the best citizens of Marshall county are his
countrymen, and they almost invariably merit and receive the
esteem and respect of the community to the same degree that
he does. For several years he was actively engaged in
farming, but is now living a retired life.
Mr. WINK was born in Kur Hassen,
Germany, July 19, 1832, a son
of Herman and Elizabeth (EIGENBROEDT) WINK, and was reared in
the usual manner of farmer boys. Until fourteen years of age he
attended school, and then began learning the tailor’s trade, but
did not follow the same long as his services were needed upon
the home farm. At the age of twenty he entered the German army,
in which he valiantly served for three years, and at one time
his regiment was ordered to the front in the Crimean war, but
the order was countermanded before they started.
In 1856, Mr. WINK bade good-by to the
friends and scenes of his youth, and at
Bremen
took passage on a sailing vessel bound for America, which it reached after a
voyage of eight weeks and four days. Landing at
New Orleans, he came up the
Mississippi to St. Louis, a trip that required twelve days,
and near that city worked on a farm for one year. Subsequently
he was similarly employed for the same length of time in Putman
county, Illinois, and then operated a rented farm for
a couple of years.
In Putnam county, November 19, 1858, Mr.
WIND was united in marriage with Miss Anna HENN, with whom he
was acquainted in the fatherland, she too being a native of Germany. Four
children came to bless their union: Joseph is a well educated
man, having attended school at Lacon,
Rutland and Chicago. Henry J., who is
living on the old home farm, is married and has one son, George.
Lizzie is the wife of Henry FALK, a farmer of
Bennington
township, Marshall
county, by whom she has two children, William and Dora. Annie is
the wife of Conrad LEESGE, also a farmer of
Bennington
township, and they have one child, Edgar, born July 4, 1895. Mr.
WINK has been called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who
passed away on the 1st of August, 1896, and was laid to rest in
the German burying ground near La Rose. She was a highly
esteemed lady, and a member of the Lutheran church, to which her
husband and children also belong.
In 1863, Mr. WINK came to Marshall county, and for five years cultivated a rented
farm in Belle Plain township, after which he purchased one
hundred twenty-five acres in
Bennington
township, that he still owns. Later he added to this another
eighty acres, and continued the cultivation and improvement of
his land until December, 1892, when he removed to Toluca, where
the year previously he had established the fourth store in the
place, then being conducted by his son. He is now, however,
living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. After
taking out his naturalization papers he voted for
Lincoln
in 1864, but is now independent in politics, supporting the man
whom he considers best qualified for the office, regardless of
party ties. He has served as a delegate to various conventions,
and has held the offices of assessor for three terms and
collector once. Coming to this country in limited circumstances
he has been the architect of his own fortunes, and is deserving
of the highest commendation. Possessing the esteem and respect
of the entire community, he may well be ranked among the honest
and representative German citizens of
Marshall
county. His honor and integrity are unimpeachable, his word
being considered as good as his bond.
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois,
1896.
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