Latest revision as of 08:40, 4 May 2022

Louis William Gabler was in fellowship with Elgin Gospel Hall (now Park Manor Bible Chapel in Elgin, Illinois, and the founding editor of Central Gospel Tract Depot, based in his home at 617 Laurel St., also in Elgin, which printed millions of Gospel tracts during WWII and otherwise. Assemblies utilizing his tracts included Jackson Gospel Hall in Michigan and others.

He was born in 1884 at Schenectady, New York, a son of Thomas Gabler & Margaret Gabler. His maternal grandfather was Fred Schmidt (b. 1821 Germany), whom Louis resided with in 1910, along with his aunt Mary Schmidt (b. 1873 Germany) on Laurel Street in Elgin, where the tract depot was based. It is noted in a 1910 Census that Fred & his daughter Mary both emigrated to the U.S. in 1888.

His wife was Catherine Elizabeth Wilhelmina "Minnie" Wubbena Gabler (b. 1887 Standish, MI - d. 1924 1974 Elgin, IL), daughter of Jan Janssen "James" Wubbena (b. 1845 Tergast, Germany - d. 1907 Standish, MI) & Catharina Caroline Louise "Elnora" Jungjohann Wubbena (b. 1855 Neermoor, Germany - d. 1894 Standish, MI). Louis & Minnie were married in 1913 @ Standish, MI, where Minnie was employed as a schoolteacher, the wedding officiated by F.W. Heinnam.

His career was as a watchmaker at Elgin National Watch Co., from +1910-1942+. In 1942, his boss was Bud Herbert, and he was employed in the plate department. There was also a Thomas Gabler who served as jobmaster of the Jewel Setting job in the Gilding Dept., who worked for the company 1913-1949+. From 1864-1964, this company produced half of all jewelry pocket and wristwatches manufactured in the U.S.

In 1920, living with Louis and his wife and immediate family also included:

• sister-in-law Ella Wubbena (b. 1894 MI), a bookkeeper for a government camp.
  • Stimson Payne (b. 1840 Littleport, Cambridgeshire, Eng. - d. 1932 Elgin, IL), son of Robert Payne (b. 1813 Littleport, Eng.) & Susan Rowell Payne (b. 1812 Littleport, Eng.). In 1851, the Payne family resided in Southery, Norfolk, Eng.
  • Mary Gee Payne (b. 1843 Welney, Cambridgeshire, Eng. - d. 1925 Elgin, IL) married Stimson @ Southwark St. Saviour, London, England in 1867. Mary was a daughter of James Gee (b. 1801 Feltwell, Norfolk, Eng. - d. 1866 Downham, Norfolk, Eng.) & Sarah Ann Rowell Gee (b. 1815 Littleport, Eng. - d. 1868 Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, Eng.).
  • In 1871, prior to emigration to the U.S., Stimson & Mary resided at Lambeth, South London, and Stimson was employed as a laborer. Prior to residing with the Gabler family, in 1910, Stimson & Mary lived in an "old folks home" on State St., in Elgin, which may be what is now the Oak Crest Atrium, founded in 1901 by George & Mary Lord.

Children:

• Muriel Ella Gabler (b. 1916 Elgin, IL), studied RN 1937 @ Northwestern, employed in +1940-1943+, living in Elgin, as a science instructor at Swedish Covenant hospital in Chicago. 1948 nurse @ same hospital.
• Margaret Henrietta Gabler Pickett (b. 1919 Elgin, IL). Instructor & Supervisor @ 1943 @ Wesley Hospital in Chicago. +1948-1951+ nursing arts instructor @ Swedish Covenant, Chicago.
• Louis William Gabler III (b. 1927 Elgin, IL - d. 1992 Chesapeake, VA) of Norfolk, VA. 1st wife (1948 @ Hamburg, N.Y., div. 1982: Frances Ruth Redding Gabler (b. 1929), 2nd wife: Lillian Mae Jackson Lambert-Gabler (b. 1925 VA), daughter of Matthew McCoy Jackson & Virginia Frances Harrison Jackson.
  • Randall W. Gabler (b. 1954 Tarrant, TX). Wife (1976 @ Virginia Beach, VA): Brenda Kay Beck Gabler.
• John George Gabler (Aug. 1 - Dec. 21, 1933 Elgin, IL).

In 1951, Louis was employed as a janitor at Brotzman & Melms Chevrolet, then in 1956 as a maintenance man at Salisbury's. He died in 1966, buried in Elgin.

Sources

• Ancestry.com
• Findagrave.com
• Newspapers.com
• Dan Shutt