Sympathy Saturday: W.C. Hibsch

W.C. Hibsch was my great-grandfather.  He was born about 1862 near Breslau, Prussia and emigrated to America with his parents and a sister in 1873.  In 1896 when residing in California, he became an American citizen.  He was a blacksmith, married Martha Bashor and had two sons. Unfortunately, his life was cut short at age 45.  The "photo" (above) is the only known likeness of him.

HORSESHOER WORKS HARD THEN LAYS DOWN TO DIE

   After shoeing fifteen horses during working hours, Tuesday, W.C. Hibsch lay down on the floor of his blacksmith shop, in McCabe, at 6 o'clock in the evening, and expired a few minutes later, presumably from the excessive use of alcoholic stimulants.

   Deceased was aged about 45 years.  He had resided in McCabe but a short time and very little is known of his antecedents.  A son, 13 years of age, and a daughter, aged 5, survive him.  The remains were taken in charge by the Ruffner undertaking establishment and brought to this city.  Interment will take place this afternoon, at 3 o'clock, in the Citizen's cemetery.

Source: The Arizona Journal-Miner, Prescott, Arizona, 13 June 1907, page 1, column 2.

This newspaper obituary was incorrect about the children (there were two sons), didn't mention his wife (maybe because she and the children were not living there), but probably was accurate about the drink!

Submitted and posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Sympathy Saturday is just one of the blogging themes suggested on GeneaBloggers.  get your ancestors noticed here, send a short story, document and/or image to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.