----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 02/07/1929

Knebel, Christopher (6 JUN 1843 - 1 Feb 1929)

Mr. Christopher Knebel, on of the early pioneers of this locality, died at the home of his son, John Knebel, Friday, Feb. 1, 1929, old age being the cause of his departure. Funeral services were held at the Catholic Church Monday, Rev. Lachnit officiating, and interment was made in the Colby Catholic Cemetery.

The deceased was born in Coblenz, Germany, June 6, 1843, thus reaching the age of eighty-five years, six months and twenty-six days. In April 1869 he emigrated to Brooklyn, N.Y., and on Dec. 17 of the same year, he was united in marriage to Katherine Saltzback at Milwaukee, where he resided for about eight years, being employed there at the cooper's trade. In the spring of 1877 they moved on to a farm at Abbotsford, Wis. A short time later, they again moved to a farm north of Colby and resided there until the spring of 1881, when they came to Colby and opened up a meat market. After a period of sixteen years in the meat business, they sold the property to W. Fleischmann, who establish the City Bakery. They then moved on to their farm, where they resided for about thirteen years, when they again sold out and moved to the city of Colby, where they have since lived. For the past five and one-half years, he made his home with his son, John Knebel. He is survived by two sons and two daughters, Namely: Mr. John Knebel, Colby; Mrs. Art Olson, St. Paul; Mrs. Charles Basset, St. Paul; Mr. George Knebel, Owen, Wis. Also by ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Those from out of town here for the funeral were Mrs. Charles Basset and Mrs. Arthur Olson of St. Paul, Mr. George Knebel of Owen, and Lillian A. Knebel of Chippewa Falls.

Another name is now stricken from the ever lessening roll of our early settlers, but it must be so. His life work was done, and well done, and how much this community owes him and all early pioneers is impossible to estimate.