Today I'm adding a couple of articles written after Grandpa (George Winkelman) passed away. The first is from The Register-Herald of Eaton, Ohio and the second is from The Twin Valley News, West Alexandria. Also I have an excerpt from an article about the various saw mills in Preble County. I'm not sure exactly what book this article is from but as soon as I find out I'll post it here. I'm going to post the saw mill article first, then the newspaper articles.

Another mill that continued in operation for over a century at the same location in Twin twp. was a sawmill that stood along the east side of Twin Creek at what is now the Steiner Gravel plant, the large shed standing there now being one of the former mill buildings. This mill had a varied career, being built in 1808 by John Van Winkle who had emigrated to the region four years previously with his parents and family, the Simeon Van Winkles, the first settlers in the township.

John Van Winkle acquired itching feet and sold out to John Mumma who was always buying and selling, and moved on to Missouri. Mumma, in turn, sold to Solomon Meckley, and Meckley to Winkelman & Wick; Wick being a son-in-law of Meckley's, and this partnership ran the mill until it was badly damaged in the 1913 flood after which it was sold and moved to Lewisburg. Winkelman & Wick cut out and supplied the hard lumber that E. S. Sherman used in building the covered bridge east of New Lexington in 1888.

The well known Geroge Winkelman, Sr., of West Alexandria is a son of the above mill owner and he and his brothers worked at the mill in their younger days.

This picture of the Winkelman  Wick sawmill comes from the collection of George Winkelman of West Alexandria. Those in the picture, left to right, are: John F. Winkelman, John Kiger, Wilson Cox, the sawyer, Leonard Winkelman, George E. Winkelman, and John Winkelman, Sr.

The first mill here was water powered and the saws were the up and down kind. About 1880 the old mill sounded its death knell when it cut out boards and timbers for the mill shown here after which it was torn down, the mill-wheel removed and a new steam powered plant erected.

Showing in the picture is the largest log, right, ever run through this mill. A Sycamore, it contained 1587 feet, board measure. The log on the left contained 1261 feet, and a third log, not shown, about 1400 ft. George says his father fashioned extensions to an eight foot cross-cut saw to fell the tree and cut it up. The butt log was partly sawed lengthwise by hand, then split into sections, before it could be taken through the doorway into the mill.

Community Loses Lifelong Resident--The Register-Herald, Eaton, Ohio, October 14, 1970--Written by Audrey Patrie.

The Death of George Winkelman leaves the West Alex community without one of its beloved senior citizens, and we wonder how the noble gentleman can ever be replaced. Those of us who knew and respected George were saddened by his passing on Saturday, October 10th, and a bit of the gaiety vanished from the Oktoberfest.

But George would not have liked this reaction...had he known. An honorary life-long member of Twin Valley Chamber of Commerce, George always wanted to see any community project become a smashing success...and he never missed one of them...up to the 3rd annual Oktoberfest.

During the 1969 Oktoberfest, it was George who supervised the wood sawing and nail driving contest; and it was George who did more than his share of physical labor getting the 'Fest in operation. Fellow workers far younger than George had trouble keeping pace with the vibrant, hardworking gentleman.

His total recall for names, dates and places was often the reason why I turned to him for help while preparing historical articles for the newspaper. Chatting with George and his wife, Mary, about "old times" was one of my greatest pleasures. Because of their little visits, I could not help but experience the feeling of "belonging" to the West Alex community. His hospitality, friendliness and genuine interest in everyone-natives and newcomers-was always appreciated.

George loved to recall life on the farm when he was a boy; operation of the Winkelman Saw Mill at New Lexington; his years as Water Works Superintendent; early school houses and operation; homes and homeowners in the New Lexington and West Alex communities; the 1913 flood; traction line; early days of the volunteer fire department; and "jollifications" held in the village.

Never will I pass Peace Park and not think of the man who tirelessly helped Garden Club members plant and tend the beautiful flower gardens therein. Nor will I ever pass the water spigot adjacent to the little white building at the northwest corner of Peace Park which he installed almost single-handedly, although his health was rapidly failing; it was his last project.

George Winkelman's gait was as fast-paced as his train of thought. But it is now time for him to rest in peace...while the entire community mourns one of its beloved citizens.

From the Twin Valley News, Thursday, October 15, 1970

Although it didn't rain on the Oktoberfest this year, spirits were dampened considerably by the great loss to the community of George Winkelman. His roots in the community were as deep as the water wells he looked after as Superintendent of Water Works for West Alexandria. And his love for the Twin Valley where he grew up and lived his life to its end was abundant as the water that flows in its mysterious path underground our village.

His knowledge of so much of our local history is now gone, but his memory in the hearts of those who knew and loved him will never die. Matched with his knowledge, was a keen sense of humor, a good and kind reverence for his fellow man. He was a man who was untiring in any effort that he put forth, even up into his final years. We can all take a lesson from the life that George lived and hope that we can take good care of his community while he is gone. JMK