Phillip Winkler

The Firstborn of Henry E. Winkler and Caroline A. Rohrbach, Phillip came into the world on October 10, 1872 in bustling New York. This is the only existing photograph of him that we know of- so far. It would have been taken around the mid-1920's.

The family center once they moved to California was right around Holly Park, in San Francisco. I'm sure, as the oldest of 10 children and growing up in a Victorian age family with a servant in the house, he had a decent upbringing. He did have whooping cough when he was about 9 years old, there's a question on the 1880 census about health issues like that. At some point he was introduced to music, as later careers would suggest. He was certainly a man who could get things done, plumbing, carpentry, keeping a piano in tune...

He married Alice Josephine Joos in San Francisco, California in 1903. She was the daughter of Martin and Sophie Joos who lived a few blocks away.

They had three children: Emma Louise, bottom right(Oct 1909) ; Edward "Bud" Henry, at left (Oct 1010); Rowena "Renee" Sophie, the youngest (1912 )

Alice took the children and left him in 1918, moving to Marin County, California. This is probably why she is not in this portrait, however it still demonstrates the civility and respect they had for each other.

Left is a picture of one of the houses Phillip had. This was given to Emmy after his death. Her children also were born there.

Phillip appears in only three census records, for some reason. City Directories for the Cabinet Shop/ Piano Shop are the records after 1900.

1880 Census and 1900 Census- shown with his parents, the 1910 census married to Alice but listed as Vankler. Obviously the census taker didn't understand the accent.

He passed away the year after he retired, on November 7, 1934. His son, Edward, was the informant. He was buried at Olivet Memorial Park alongside his parents.

Although they never met, it is astonishing how similar Phillip's grandson, Ronald, looks to him.