Ebler, Frank Joseph; b. 1863, 1905 Bio, Pitkin County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pitkin/bios/eblerfj.txt --------------------------------------- Donated August 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Frank Joseph Ebler This enterprising and progressive Aspen merchant, ranchman and cattle-grower, who owns a fine ranch of six hundred and forty acres of excellent land in Rio Blanco county, is a native of Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, where he was born on March 24, 1863, and the son of Frank Joseph and Philippine (Yeager) Ebler, both of the same nativity as himself. In his early manhood the father was a passenger conductor on a railroad; and in later life was engaged in a profitable transfer business. His success was moderate but steady through life. He and his wife were devout Catholics in religion, and had good standing in their community. The father died in February, 1867, and the mother in June, 1872. Of their six children, William, Mary and Annie have died, and Adolph, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Julius, of Newark, New Jersey, and Frank J., of Aspen, Colorado, are living. The last named, of whom this sketch is written, attended the public schools until he reached the age of fourteen, then began to learn cabinet-making. After completing his apprenticeship he worked at the trade two years and a half in his native land, then came to the United States and located in New York city, where he served as janitor in a large building two years. After passing another year selling oysters and liquors, he sold out his business and came to Colorado in 1882. He settled at Leadville and secured profitable employment as a carpenter and timberman in the mines. In April, 1883, he met with an accident there which disabled him for a year, and when he was able to work again, he, in company with George Gilmore and George O. Rise, conducted a toll road in Pitkin county, remaining connected with this enterprise until the spring of 1885, when he disposed of his interest, and during the next two years worked for the parties he sold it to. In 1887 he took up a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Rio Blanco county, and has since added by purchase to his land until he has an entire section, six hundred and forty acres, in the vicinity of White river. On this he carries on an extensive cattle industry and raises large quantities of hay, grain and other farm products. In 1893 he opened a grocery and meat market at Aspen, in which he has built up a large and profitable trade, being successful in this venture as he has in all others. It is not only the oldest business in this line in Aspen, but is also the most extensive and is widely and popularly known as the Blue Front Market. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Union, and is a charter member of the lodge of United Workmen at Aspen. In politics he is an earnest and active Democrat. On April 20, 1889, he united in marriage with Miss Belle Benson, a native of Sweden, and daughter of John and Anna (Germanson) Benson, also Swedes by birth, who in their life were farmers in their native land. The father died on September 12, 1880, and the mother on October 4, 1903. They had five children, Mary, John, Christina, Ingrad and Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Ebler have four children, Frank A., Frederick J., Philippine and Geneva. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.