WI BIO - Kenosha Co - WINK, H. M.

History of Kenosha and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Clarke Publishing, 
1916, vol II, pp 145-146

H. M. WINK, a successful and enterprising young business man of Kenosha, 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Oil-Gas Machine Company, extensive 
manufacturers of oil-gas machines, was born in September 1884 in Chicago 
[Cook County], Illinois, his parents being John and Ida (BARTELLS) WINK, who 
are also natives of Chicago and now make their home in Aurora [Kane County, 
Illinois]. The father [John WINK] is a traveling salesman.

H. M. WINK obtained his education in the graded and high schools of his 
native city and also pursued a course in bookkeeping at the Metropolitan 
Business College of Chicago. Subsequently he secured a position in the 
optical department of Benjamin Allen & Company, wholesale jewelers of 
Chicago, and was eventually made manager of that department, remaining with 
the concern for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to 
Westfield [Harris County], Texas where he continued for two years, developing 
a splendid fig orchard which he sold at a good profit. After returning to 
Chicago he made his way to Geneva [Kane County], Illinois, and was there 
associated with his father in the conduct of a general store for two years.

At the end of that time, in 1913, he [H. M. WINK] came to Kenosha [Kenosha 
County], Wisconsin, and became connected with the Oil-Gas Machine Company. 
The [p 146] machine was invented by F. J. BLUM and E. O. LINTON, and after it 
was patented Mr. WINK helped to finance the project, being elected secretary 
and treasurer of the stock company at the time of its organization. Oil gas 
is the most economical fuel known to science, and the machines are used in 
kiln drying, annealing ovens, steel converter pre-heating, steaming boilers, 
and for melting of steel and other metals. The general offices and shops of 
the company are at Park and Exchange Streets [renamed 57th Street and 5th 
Avenue about 1926] in Kenosha. Mr. WINK is familiar with the business in 
every department and his efforts have been a strong factor in the continued 
growth and success of the Oil-Gas Company, which has installed its machines 
in many of the most extensive and important plants.

In 1907 Mr. [H. M.] WINK was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor HECHT of 
Chicago [Cook County, Illinois], by whom he had three children as follows: 
(1) Dorothy, who is deceased; (2) Kenneth Robert; and (3) Ruth Eleanor. 
Mr. WINK gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, while his 
religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
church, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally he is identified with 
the Masons at Geneva [Kane County], Illinois, and with the Moose lodge in 
Kenosha.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly