Joseph H. Winkler, firm of Clark & Winkler, lawyers, Oakland; born in Coles Co., Ill., March 14, 1851, where he attended school during the winter and learned and worked at the blacksmith trade during the summer until 17 years of age, when he entered the State Military College at Champaign, Ill., where he attended nearly two years, during which time he worked at his trade Saturdays and mornings and evenings, from which he obtained the means to meet all of his bills contracted while attending the above College; he then, in the fall of 1873, entered the Law School at Albany, N. Y., which he attended nearly one year, graduating and receiving his diploma May 5, 1874; was admitted to practice at the bar of the State of New York May 8, of the same year; coming West again, he was admitted to the bar of this State on Sept. 14, 1874; the following winter he taught school two miles south of Oakland, boarding at home and walking to and from his school night and morning; the spring following he went to Mattoon and engaged in the law office of Horace S. Clark for several months, where he obtained more practical knowledge of law than in any term of law school which he had attended. He then associated with Mr. Clark in the law business and located in Oakland, his library at that time consisted of three law-books, his office furniture, one rickety table and two old chairs; he now has his office in rear of the Oakland Bank, and has a fine law library; has built up a very extensive practice. His marriage with Emma S. Crawford was celebrated Dec. 23, 1876; she was born in Crawfordsville, Ind., June 29, 1854; her parents removed west and located in Illinois when she was 6 years of age. They have one child by this union -Frank C.
