Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Dale E. Ebersold [ebersold@abcs.com] USGenWeb NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogy information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must contact the submitter or the listed USGenWeb archivist. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- COUNTY HERALD-STAR WABASHA COUNTY'S LEADING NEWSPAPER Wabasha, Minnesota, Thursday, June 8, 1933 EARLY SETTLER, CHARLES EBERSOLD, PASSES JUNE 4 Aged Pioneer Died at Home of Daughter From Old Age The dwindling ranks of the early settlers of Wabasha, who came to this city when it was practically a wilderness with more Indians than white people, were reduced this week by the death of Charles Ebersold, who passed away from the complications of old age at 12:45 p.m., Sunday, June 4, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. Blatter. The aged pioneer had been in ill health for several months and had been confined in bed for the past three weeks. The pretty little city of Interlachen, Switzerland was the birthplace of Charles Ebersold on June 15, 1843. Had he lived until his birthday anniversary this month, he would have been 90 years old. He spent his early boyhood in his native city, nestled in the Swiss Alps, and in 1856, when Charles was 13 years old, his family migrated to America. The parents and six children settled at Muscatine, Iowa, where they lived for one year. Removing to Alma in 1857, the Ebersold family located on a farm there. In 1858 they again moved, this time to Wabasha in the days when Highway No. 3 in this city was a dense woods. The Swiss American family returned to Alma in 1861. Three years later, when Charles was 21, he proudly cast his first vote at Alma for Abraham Lincoln, who was running for re-election. His name was on the list of those from his district to be drafted in the Civil War, but the war ended before he was called. Mr. Ebersold's marriage to Josephine Rocque, a native daughter of Wabasha, took place in this city in 1872. They settled on Mrs. Ebersold's farm in Alma, where they labored hard, arising at 4 o'clock in the morning and often working till dark. After many years of farming, the couple retired to Wabasha about 17 years ago for a well-earned rest. They had resided here ever since. His wife preceded him in death April 21, 1932. The beloved old man is survived by six children: Mrs. G. Blatter (Margaret), Mrs. H. Loechler (Nora) and Mrs. Charles Wiegele (Adeline) of this city, Mrs. H. Niehaus (Mary) of La Crosse, and August and Rudolph Ebersold of Alma; one brother, Rudolph Ebersold of Groton, South Dakota; 31 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Besides Mrs. Ebersold, four children preceded him in death. Short funeral services were conducted from the Blatter home at 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon by Edwin Ganz of Alma, an old friend of Mr. Ebersold. The body was then taken to the Tell cemetery, where second funeral services were held. Mr. Ganz also officiating at these rites. Pallbearers were Paul Accola, John Accola and J. Wald of Alma and Linn Pfeilsticker, John Bruegger, Jr., and Lee Tenney of this city. Burial was in the family lot at the Tell Cemetery beside his children. Out-of-town relatives and friends present at the last rites included all of his children, Mr. and Mrs. George Daily and Mrs. Anna Ebersold of St. Paul; A. J. McDonough and Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bowden and children of Minneapolis, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lehman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ganz, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Huber of Alma. A member of the old school, Mr. Ebersold was a splendid type of man with sterling qualities and lived a full, rich life. Always willing to help others, he was a true friend and a good husband and father, loving his family well. An old man in years but not in spirit, Mr. Ebersold was active, especially enjoying out-of-door work, until he was confined to his bed. ***