----Source: Clark County Republican & Press (Neillsville, Wis.) 05/05/1921

Rabenstein, Carl (1 Jul 1863 - 27 Apr 1921)

Carl Rabenstein was born in Saxony, Germany, July 1, 1863. When he was 14 years old he took up the printer’s trade, and after following it about six months he decided to come to America. His mother sewed some money in his clothing and with his parents’ blessing he set forth for the land of promise. He landed in New York and after staying there a short time he came to Chicago and then going on west, reached Grand Island, Neb. at Christmas. Not knowing the English language, he had for a time to do anything he could find to do. Later he got employment on a newspaper published in German at Fremont, Neb., going to Chicago when the printing office where he was employed moved to that city. He rapidly picked up the language of his adopted country and employed all his spare time in studying it. In 1881 he went to Mankato, Minn., where he followed his trade till March 1884, when he came to Neillsville, Clark County, Wis. to edit the Deutsche Americaner, purchasing the paper in 1889. He was a first rate printer and soon built up a good business. He became a ready writer, both in English and German, and later developed into a forcible speaker. He engaged in a number of local enterprises, put up several business building, was interest in the Overall Factory, the Drying Plant, The Equity Garment Co., and other lines of business, and was a director in the Commercial State Bank. He was always interested in public and civic affairs, served as Alderman and was twice elected Mayor of Neillsville. He was a member of several fraternal societies. He was married in Sept. 1885 to Rachel Pound, a native of New York State, then living at Merrillan. She with two of their children survives him, Mrs. L.C. Gillard of Ft. Atkinson, Wis., and Lieut. Maurel K. Rabenstein in the Aviation service of the Government, now stationed at Honolulu. The oldest son, Corp. Carl H. Rabenstein, died in France Oct. 11, 1918, from wounds received in battle. Mr. Rabenstein was a man of great natural ability and enterprise. He gave liberally to push forward all projects that promised to help public welfare. In business he was a fair, even a generous competitor. The writer gratefully remembers Mr. Rabenstein’s neighborly kindness at time when we were in need of mechanical help in this office. He never tried to take advantage of a person in distress, but gave willing aid to those in need.

Nearly three years ago his health began to fail and at times he was unable to go on with his work. He went to Chicago and started a job office, supervising the work and doing what he was able himself. A few weeks ago he became much worse and was taken to the Presbyterian Hospital, where he died April 27, 1921. The body was brought here for burial. The funeral was held Friday at the Reformed Church, Rev. D. Grether officiating. Mrs. Rabenstein and daughter Gretchen (Mrs. L.C. Gillard) and husband being in attendance.