Christian Wedel /Wadel
Dec. 28, 1841-June 5, 1909

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, June 5, 1909, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    The lifeless body of Christ. Wadel was found about 6 o'clock this morning in the boiler room of this Kompass & Stoll factory which is located just east of the main building.
    The body was discovered by the engineer, Herman Stedman and A.S. Lambert, an employe.
    About the hour mentioned the men attempted to enter the factory throug the door usually opened for employes but they found it locked.
    They then went around to the boiler room where they discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Wadel.
    Mr. Wadel has been in the employ of Messrs. Kompass and Stoll at their factory for over nine years, his work being the scaling of lumber.
    Last night he substituted for the regular night watchman.
    The time clock showed that Mr. Wadel had made his rounds regularly during the night until after 2:30 this morning this being the last  hour punched in the time clock used by the night watchman.
    It is evident that Mr. Wadel's death occurred a considerable time after than hour as the body was still warm when discovered.
    Messrs. Kompass and Stoll and Coroner Platt were immediately notified upon the discovery of the body and workmen conveyed the sad news to the family and all were soon on the scene.
    The coroner impanelled the following jury: Messsrs. Charles Stoll, Thos. Roach, Wm. Morris, Eli Leach, henry Austin and  Tyler Swain.
    After the jury viewed the body, it was taken to the late residence at 1208 Phoenix street.
    The jury adjourned to meet at Atty. W.M. Burn' office Monday morning at 9 o'clock.
    It is supposed that Mr. Wade's[sic] death was due to an acute attack of heart disease as there is absolutely no ground for any theory of foul play or death from any other cause.
    The factory was at once closed down for the day out of respect to the deceased who was highly esteemed by both the employers and the employed.
    Mr. Stoll expressed much sorrow over Mr. Wadel's death this morning as he was valued as a faithful and efficient workman and for his excellent personal qualities which made him an esteemed citizen in a wide circle of acquaintances.
    Christian Wadel was born in Altenereitungen, Province of Saxes, Germany, Dec. 28, 1841. He came to Niles with his parents in 1855.  For a number of years he engaged in farming in this vicinity until he accepted a position in the cooper mills of the late Granville and Solon Lacy and was a faithful employe during 38 years of continuous service.  In 1863 he was married to Miss Anna Margaret Simon of Niles, whose death occurred about eight years ago.
    Ten children were born to them of whom six are now living as follows:  Mrs. John Frances, Miss Louise, Charles and Edward of Niles; Mrs. M.E. Calkins and Mrs. E.M. Calkins, both of Toledo, Ohio.  The deceased had long been a consistent member of St. John's German church and for a number of years served the church as a trustee.  He was a member of the building committee when the new church was being erected and took an active part in promoting the project.
    The funeral will be held from the late residence Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock and from St. John's German church at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. Rahn will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 5, 1909, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    Christian Wedel, a well known citizen of Niles, was found dead at the factory of the Kompass & Stoll company by Engineer Stedman at 5:40 o'clock this morning. Mr. Wedel, who had been in the employe of the company for eight years as inspector of lumber and yard man, volunteered to relieve the regular nightwatchman at the factory last night, as the latter desired to get off.
    When Engineer Stedman found the dead body of Mr. Wedel in the boiler room at the factory this morning, he immediately notified relatives of the deceased, who hurried to the factory, where they found the dead man lying shovel in hand, the attitude of the body plainly indicating that he had been in the act of throwing fuel under the boiler when he fell.
    It was plain that Mr. Wedel had been dead for several hours. The fire under the boiler had burned out and the clock which the nightwatchman punches every half hour, had been punched last at 2:30 a.m.  One of the sons of the dead man stated that his father had been complaining about his heart for some time, and it is taken for granted that death was due to heart failure.
    Coroner Platt was notified, however, and after he had impanneled a jury and the remains had been viewed, an adjournment was taken until next Monday morning at 9 'clock, when the inquest will be held in the common council rooms.
    Undertaker H.E. Price took charge of the remains, which were removed to the home at 1208 Phoenix street.
    Messrs. Kompass & Stoll spoke in words of praise of the dead this morning, saying that Mr. Wedel had been a faithful, conscientious, industrious and valuable employe of the company.
    Christian Wedel was born at Alpenbreitungen, Saxony, December 28,  1841, and came to America with his parents when he was 14 years old, settling in Niles, where he had since resided.  For some time he was engaged in farming. In 1863, Mr. Wedel married Miss Anna M. Simon, who died nine years ago, and ten children were born of this union, of whom six survive. They are Mrs. John Francis, Miss Louise Wedel and Charles and Edward Wedel of Niles, and Mrs. Kate Calkins and Mrs. Minnie Calkins of Toledo, O.
    For 38 years, Mr Wedel was in the employ of the Lacey's who were engaged in the flouring and cooperage business, and for the last eight years, he had been with the Kompass & Stoll company, as previously stated.  He was a member of the German church and was identified with St. John's Workingmen's society.
    The funeral will take place next Tuesday afternoon. Services will be conducted at the German church at 2:30 o'clock by Rev. F. Rahn, the pastor.  Interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.