OBITUARIES: Michael OLBERT, Albany, Pepin County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be 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 for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, 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. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Ruth Udwary 20 May 2000 ==================================================================== Surnames: OLBERT, CASSEL, WOLMER, STRUCK GRANDPA MICHAEL OLBERT FEBRUARY 15, 1828 - FEBRUARY 6, 1910 It becomes our painful duty this week to record the passing Michael Olbert, of Albany, whose death occurred in that town last Sunday, after a long illness. Mr Olbert was born at Eppelheim, by Heidelberg, Baden, Germany, February 15, 1828, hence his age at death was 81 years, 11 months and 21 days. He came to New York in 1849 and went to Philadelphia where he was employed a number of years in the Baldwin locomotive factory. Later he worked for farmers about that city, then went to Milwaukee and worked at odd jobs until 1856 when he came to Albany, Pepin County, where he bought the farm now occupied by Louis Gueldner. He later turned his farm over to his son Henry and moved onto the place where he died, which he had already homesteaded. September 27, 1864, he enrolled as a private in Co. H of the 25th Regiment of Wisconsin Voluntary Infantry and served his country faithfully until the end of the war when he received an honorable discharge. November 24th, 1861, Mr. Olbert was married at Milwaukee to Anna Martha Cassel and to them the following children were born: Henry of Eau Claire; George, of Albany; John , of Durand. Mrs. Olbert died in June, 1874. The 27th of the next March he married Miss Mary Wolmer and one child, Andrew, was born to them October 13, 1876, at which time the mother died. The father married Wihelmina Struck, of Albany, for his third wife, January 4th, 1877, and to them the following five children were born: Mary, William, Robert, Frank, and Martha, all of Albany. The last wife and all of the children survive the husband and father. The daughter Martha has been in the hospital at Eau Claire undergoing an operation and was there at the time of her fathers death. She has since been brought home. Funeral services will be held at his late home at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Mr. Olbert was a member of the local G.A.R. Post and, if the weather permits, many of his comrades will attend the funeral. Mike Olbert was every inch a man. He was a most generous neighbor and friend and in his home was tenderly regarded by those who were bound to him by ties of kinship. His fatherly counsel was always eagerly sought and religiously obeyed by his children. A friend of many years sends us the following tribute to his memory, which we gladly publish: A TRIBUTE Michael Olbert will be remembered by many as one of the early pioneers of this section, having come here in the day when hardihood and undaunted courage were necessary. He was born of good German stock and was the son of a noble sire, and a true son of an honorable industrious race, giving himself to relentless toil in an undeveloped country, until he made swamps to bloom and ripen gracious harvests. He was a man of rare good judgment and sagacity. Given to hospitality, the weary found comfort and rest under his hospitable roof. He was, indeed, a good host. His large family of children "rise up and call him blessed", for he was fatherly and kind and patient in the home. His life was tempered sufficiently by trials and afflictions to make him a man of large sympathies and kindly considerations. True to home and family and friends, he was also true to his country, and when the death angel was reaping his harvest of awful carnage in the 60’s he felt his country needed him at the front, and he went. In faith, he was a German Lutheran; pious and religious. On February 6th, at noon, he slipped away to try the paths untrod by mortal foot. During the past twenty five years the writer has enjoyed his acquaintance and during that time has frequently ministered to him and his family and we feel that too much cannot be said in praise of his memory. --Dr. S. Miller Dearest father thou has left us, And our loss we deeply feel, But ‘tis God that has bereft us, He can all our sorrow heal. Yet again we hope to meet thee, When the day of life is fled, When in heaven with joy to greet thee Where no farewell tear is shed.