Sailing from Hamburg,[2] he emigrated to the United States around the turn of the 19th century, initially to Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

In 1807,[3] the year of his marriage, he was brought in by the Moravian Church community in Old Salem, North Carolina, to become their baker,[4][5][6] replacing Thomas Butner Jr.[7] His wife was Pennsylvania native Elizabeth Dantz (possibly Danz).

[7][8] The couple had six children: Carl, Christian Jr., William, Matilda, Ludwig and Henrietta.

[9] He was interred in Salem Moravian God's Acre, alongside his wife, who preceded him in death by three years.

Winkler's son, William, continued the bakery.