Obituary of John Zobel

I have John Zobel to thank for helping me discover more about my Fredrich family. It was the 1862 marriage of Johan Zobel and Henriette Fredrich, that I found on Poznan Project, that provided me with the name of her father, Christoph Fredrich. Henriette Fredrich is the sister of my great grandfather, Johan August Fredrick (h).

Johan John Zobel was born 23 November 1834 and died 31 October 1921. His obituary was found on the front page of the Manistee Daily Advocate.

Transcription: JOHN ZOBEL, 87, HERE 51 YEARS, TAKEN BY DEATH

PASSES AWAY AT 8:30 THIS MORNING AT HOME, 182 LINCOLN STREET

OPENED CLOTHING BUSINESS IN 1889

WORKED IN WOODS WHEN HE FIRST CAME TO MANISTEE-RETIRED 13 YEARS AGO-WAS MARRIED 60 YEARS

In the death at 8:30 this morning of John Zobel, 182 Lincoln St., Manistee lost another pioneer. He had lived in Manistee 51 years and was 87 years old.

Death was due to general debility. About a year ago Mr. Zobel fell critically ill with pneumonia, but recovered. Later he began ailing and for the last five weeks had been in bed. He was able, however to be up for a short time Saturday.

In business 20 years 

Mr. Zobel 32 years ago opened the clothing and shoe store which is now operated by Charles Zobel & Sons. He retired from business 13 years ago.

Mr. Zobel was born in Guhringen, West Prussia, Nov. 23, 1834. He came to the United States in August, 1870, and a month later moved to Manistee. For a year he worked in the lumber woods, when he suffered an accident.

He was in the woods during the big Manistee fire. His trunk and belongings were buried in a pit by his boarding house landlord, at the mouth of the river. When he came down from the woods he found the trunk but the contents were gone. The trunk was still in his possession.

                                            Joined by family 

A year and a half after he came to Manistee his family which had been left at New York, joined him. He went into the clothing business in 1889, with his son Charles, in a building at Poplar and River streets, on the site now occupied by the Manistee County Savings Bank building.

Later the business was removed into the place which is now the Woman's Shop, which building he owned until his death. In 1894 the business was moved into the Cameron block. Although he retired from the business, he retained an interest in the building.

Mr. Zobel was married 60 years ago last May. Besides his widow he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. William Walter and Miss Ottilie Zobel, and three sons, Charles, Henry and Julius Zobel. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive him.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed.

 

Source: Manistee News Advocate-Manistee Daily Advocate, 31 October 1921, Front page, column one, newspaper owned by Manistee County Historical Museum, Manistee, MI.