WINKEL, MICHAEL A.

WINKEL, RIEBHOFF, MILLER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/3/2003 at 19:03:11

Biography reproduced from page 617 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County, written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

From a comparatively humble position Michael A. Winkel, who passed away June 24, 1912, steadily worked his way upward in railroad circles and in time became agent for the Northwestern Railroad Company at Algona. Throughout his entire business career he was in the employ of this company, which indicates how loyal and efficient was his service, for it is a well known fact that the great railway corporations demand absolute capability and fidelity on the part of their representatives. By investment Mr. Winkel had also extended his efforts into other lines. He was born in Algona, June 15, 1870, and, spending much of his life here, was one of its well known citizens. His parents were J. B. and Jane (Riebhoff) Winkel. The father, a pioneer of Kossuth county, is still living in Algona, and is numbered among its highly respected citizens. The mother was a daughter of Michael Riebhoff, who was one of the first to establish a home within the borders of this county.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Michael A. Winkel attended the public schools and was graduated in 1888. He then began working for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company and has been in its employ continuously since. After spending two months at Lake City, Iowa, in 1888, he was appointed agent at Galva, Iowa, where he remained from 1889 until 1894—a period of five years. He was then made telegraph operator at Algona, which position he held from 1894 until 1897. He was next sent to Webster City, Iowa, as cashier in that office, remaining there for a year, after which he was appointed agent at Orange City, Iowa, where he spent the years 1898 and 1899. He was then returned to Algona as agent and occupied that position here from 1900 until his death. He was a courteous and obliging official and a loyal representative of the road. He was interested in one of the most important local enterprises here, being a director of the Spurbeck Lambert Company.

In 1897 Mr. Winkel was married to Mrs. Ella Miller, who passed away October, 1908. Mr. Winkel was a representative of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Prudence Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M.; Prudence Chapter, No. 70, R. A. M.; and Ernest Council, No. 17, R. & S. M. He also belonged to the Modern Woodmen camp at Algona and was affiliated with the Homesteaders here. In matters of citizenship he was public-spirited and at all times willing to give his cooperation to progressive movements.