George H. Winkler

 

Closely associated with the material development of Sonoma county through his efficient service in the capacity of surveyor, was the late George H. Winkler, who occupied an enviable position as a resourceful and able young man, and who was a distinct addition to the citizenship of the state. No one had a greater faith in the county’s future than he, and none contributed more to its permanent advancement along those lines of the greatest value to future progress.

 

Ever since the frontier period of Sonoma’s history the Winkler family has been identified with the county’s history, Clayton Winkler having come here as early as 1851 and settling in the Green valley, where he married Miss Martha Brain, a native of Pennsylvania. He himself was a Kentuckian by birth and ancestry. For years he engaged actively in ranching pursuits, and at his death, in the year 1901, he left to his heirs a valuable property. The son, George H., was born in Green valley June 5, 1872, and received a thorough education in the Oak Grove grammar school, the Santa Rosa high school and the University of California. In the last-named institution he took a course in civil engineering and gained an expert knowledge of the occupation. After leaving the university he was employed as assistant engineer in the Sonoma mines.

 

Joining the engineering corps of the United States during June of 1898, Mr. Winkler went to Honolulu to engage in government engineering, and continued in that capacity until he was honorably discharged in November of the following year. His next business association took him to Mexico to aid in location and construction work on the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railroad, with which he continued from June of 1900 to January of 1906, and then returned to his boyhood home in California. Elected county surveyor in November following his return to this county, he filled the office with marked efficiency and wise judgment. At the election, November 8, 1910, he was chosen for a second term. As a county official he proved loyal to the local welfare and devoted to the local advancement. As a civil engineer his record was one of thoroughness and skill. As a soldier in the Spanish-American war and as sergeant of Company I, Second Regiment, United States Volunteer Engineering Corps, his record was most enviable, including the making of the survey of Pearl harbor and assistance in the building of the Banex. His labors in the army were along engineering lines, and his knowledge and experience enabled him to serve his country with unusual discernment.

 

The marriage of Mr. Winkler was solemnized February 29, 1908, and united him with Miss Maybell Parker, who was born at Freestone, this county, September 15, 1879, being a daughter of Isaac Parker, an honored pioneer of the early ‘50s. After having engaged in farming at Freestone for a considerable period, Mr. Parker removed to Sebastopol, and later established his home in Dry creek valley. There he built up a ranch of such productiveness as to be known for miles around in every direction. To this day the place is known as the Parker ranch. While he always took an active part in politics as a Republican, Mr. Parker steadfastly refused to accept public offices. In his community he was well and favorably known. None of the pioneers enjoyed a larger circle of warm personal friends than did he; in fact, his friends were as numerous as his acquaintances. His family consisted of five daughters and two sons, and these grew to maturity on the homestead in Dry creek valley.

 

Various of the fraternal organizations received the support of Mr. Winkler, who was identified with Sebastopol, Parlor, Native
Sons of the Golden West; also the Santa Rosa Lodge of Elks and the Santa Rosa Camp, Woodmen of the World. In religion he was in sympathy with all efforts for the spiritual upbuilding of the human race, and his views were broad and liberal. In attendance and contributions he perhaps favored the Methodist Episcopal denomination, but all church work and missionary enterprises received his intelligent sympathy. Besides his comfortable home on Third street, Santa Rosa, he owned fifteen acres inherited from his father’s estate. This land is in hops, producing an annual revenue varying from $1,500 to $3,000, and forming a tract of considerable value. The county workers in the Republican party had the co-operation of Mr. Winkler in all their undertakings and his intelligent aid was most helpful to the furtherance of the party’s local success. After a long and persistent struggle with ill health Mr. Winkler passed away July 23, 1911, mourned alike in public and private circles, as an honorable and upright official and as a sympathetic friend and well wisher.

 

History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
May 8, 2012  Pages 833-835

 

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