Charles H. Zwergel
May 6, 1868-Dec. 28, 1928
CHARLES ZWERGEL IS STRICKEN SUDDENLY AT HOME THIS A.M.
Dies Within a Few Minutes After He Suffered Apoplexy
HAD WALKED DOWN TOWN
Was Assisting Wife at Home When He Suffered from Stroke
Stricken with apoplexy about 9:30 this morning, Charles H. Zwergel, 60, well known liveryman in Niles a number of years ago, lived possibly less than one-half hour. Mr. Zwergel's death was shocking in its suddenness to his family and friends.
This morning he had gone to the postoffice and appeared as well as usual, although in slightly weakened condition from the effect of a heavy cold and the form of influenza which has been prevalent. He had given his wife some assistance in a house hold task out of doors, and as she was engaged in her work he walked to the door of the room in which she was working but seemed unable to speak. He then went to a couch and soon lapsed into a complete state of unconsiousness[sic] from which he did not rally. Mrs. Zwergel called Mr. Zwergel's aunt, Miss Louise Zwergel, who lives nearby, and a physician was summoned but no effort to revive Mr. Zwergel proved availing.
Much sympathy is extended to Mrs. Zwergel, the widow, who within 10 years has lost two sons after they had grown to manhood, her mother and her husband.
Charles Zwergel was born in Niles on May 6, 1868, a son of Henry and Jennie Hodgson Zwergel. His mother died when he was five months old and he was taken into the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Zwergel, parents of Miss Louise Zwergel, and he made his home with them on their farm east of Niles on Yankee street, until he was 21 years of age. He began his business career as a liveryman and took pride for many years in the smartness of his equipment and beauty of his horses. When horses began to be supplanted for business purposes by automobiles, Mr. Zwergel disposed of his business and engaged in the sale of automobiles. He was also in the grocery business for a time and at the time of his death was engaged in traveling for a Chicago firm selling plaster. In 1886 Mr. Zwergel was married to Miss Anna Francis, a sister of Chief of Police George Francis, who survives him. Of the four children born to them, two survive their father, Herbert, at home, and Mrs. Alene Burby, wife of Professor W.E. Burby, who is a teacher of law in the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The other two children were Verne and Russell. The former died during the influenza epidemic in 1918, and Russell met a tragic death five years ago in the Michigan Central yards. Besides his wife and children, Mr. Zwergel is survived by three sisters and one brother, who are John Zwergel, of Edgerton, Wis. Misses Kate, Gertrude, and Lydia, of Chicago, and by a granddaughter, Loretta Burby, of Los Angeles. Edward Zwergel is a cousin of the deceased.
The deceased was a member of the Niles lodge of Elks.
The funeral plans are not completed, pending word form the daughter, Mrs. Burby. The latter's husband in in Chicago, having gone there from Los Angeles to attend a meeting of teachers during the holidays, and he was in Niles yesterday to spend Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Zwergel. The message of Mr. Zwergel's death reached him in Chicago this morning.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 28, 1928, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library