Biographies
ISAAC HINKLE
The
quiet round of important duties discharged with pain-staking care has filled
the life of Mr. Hinkle since he left his Indiana home for the greater
opportunities offered by the far west. An apparent chance brought him into the
work for which nature had qualified him and ever since his removal to this
state more than thirty years ago he has been identified with the irrigation
industry. Perhaps few men are more conversant than he with this business whose
value to the development of the west cannot be overestimated. That his
knowledge is appreciated by others is proved by the fact that since 1882 he has
acted as superintendent of the North Fork Ditch Company. Although the ditch has
changed ownership a number of times he has been retained through all the
various managements, besides which he has acted as superintendent for all
outside water.
Born
in Howard county, Ind., April 9, 1855, Isaac Hinkle
was the son of Henry and Hester (Brock) Hinkle, natives of Ohio and Tennessee
respectively, and who were farmers in Howard county, Ind. Having been reared on
the farm, such education as he possesses was acquired in the public schools
which he attended only three months a year. Such success as he has won (and it
is by no means unimportant) comes from his determination but unassisted
application. During 1881 he came from Indiana to California and settled at
Auburn, where he at once began to work for the North Fork Ditch Company. The
corporation recognized his worth and promoted him to be superintendent the
following year, when he took charge of a section of the ditch at Folsom. The
business being located in this village he established a home here and has since
lived in the town, whose prosperity he has promoted, whose growth he has fostered
and whose real-estate interests he has developed through the buying and selling
of land. In the capacity of agent he has handled a great deal of property and
at this writing owns three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on the
Auburn road near Folsom, where he is engaged in fruit and stock raising,
besides which he has a number of building lots on the same road across the
American river, and on one of these he has erected a substantial residence for
his own home.
Upon
the organization of the Bank of Folsom in 1910 Mr. Hinkle was one of the
original subscribers and assisted in the promotion of the new enterprise with
customary zeal and sagacity. The honor of being chosen the president on its
organization came to him, and his identification with the concern was made more
complete through his service as a member of the board of directors. When he
came west he was a single man, but four years later he started a home of his
own, being united in 1885 with Miss Jessie Brown, who was born and reared
in Tennessee, received an excellent education there, and after coming to the
west engaged in teaching prior to her marriage. Three children blessed their
union, but the only daughter, Ethel May, died at the age of nine months and the
younger son, Allen, passed away at the age of two years, leaving but one
survivor in the family, Henry J., who is now married and a resident of Folsom.
In
national campaigns Mr. Hinkle gives his support to the Democratic party. Locally he is independent and favors the men whom he
deems best qualified to represent the people irrespective of their party views.
At no time in his life has he sought official honors and the only position he
has ever consented to fill is that of member of the Folsom board of education,
in which post he has given time and influence toward the upbuilding
of the schools. Having been deprived of higher educational advantages in his
youth, he has been especially solicitous that the children of his home town
should receive every desired opportunity to fit themselves for life's
responsibilities. Religion enters with harmonious rhythm to perfect a rounded
character and both he and his wife have found pleasure and help in their
relations with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both enjoy their membership in
the Rebekah Lodge No. 166, at Folsom, while in
addition Mr. Hinkle has been prominent and active in the general work of the
Odd Fellows. Shortly after his arrival in the west he joined Auburn Lodge No.
7, I. O. O. F., in which he has served through the chairs and is past grand.
After coming to his present location he identified himself with Folsom
Encampment No. 24, I. O. O. F., in which he filled all of the chairs, being
past chief patriarch at the time of this writing.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 917-919. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.