H. M. Wink Biography
As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement,
Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.
H. M. Wink, a successful and enterprising young business man of Kenosha, is the
secretary and treasurer of the Oil-Gas Machine Company, extensive manufacturers
of oil-gas machines. His birth occurred in Chicago, Illinois in September 1884,
his parents being John and Ida (Bartells) Wink, who are also natives of Chicago
and now make their home in Aurora. The father 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, 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, 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 came to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and became
connected with the Oil-Gas Machine Company. The 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 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. Wink was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Hecht of Chicago, by
whom he had three children as follows: Dorothy, who is deceased; Kenneth Robert;
and 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, Illinois, and with the Moose lodge in Kenosha.
Typed by: Michelle Laycock