52 Ancestors 52 Weeks - Week 34

George Eisel

Last week I wrote about Harry Wilson. George was Harry's step-grandfather. There is such tragedy in this family, I haven't been able to leave it, as of yet.

George was the son of John Eisel and Barbara Frederick. He was born on March 16, 1870, in Jackson County, Indiana. Both parents were born in Prussia, Germany.

On November 11, 1896, he married Minnie Belle Wilson. She had a son when they married named Clyde Wilson. He is always referred to as the step-son of George Eisel. Even Clyde's death certificate leaves the father line blank. I would think this would most likely indicate that Clyde was illegitimate. Whatever the circumstances of Clyde's birth, he seemed to be treated like a son to George by all accounts.

George owned a meat market in Brownstown, Indiana. He sold it about 1921, and tried his hand at farming. About 1923, he opened a new meat market, farming seemed to be over. I hate the part that comes next. George did not fare well, and his chaos seemed to be heading toward something bad. 

George died January 15, 1923, in Brownstown. This article will explain that, and seems to be the only death notice or obituary for him. He was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Brownstown, Indiana.

GEO. EISEL, AGED 52, COMMITS SUICIDE

Shot Himself Early Monday Morning At His Place Of Business

LIVED ABOUT FOUR HOURS

Despondency On Account Of Failing Health Supposed To Be The Cause.

George Eisel, aged 52, who has been engaged in the butchering business in Brownstown almost continuously for 25 or 30 years, committed suicide at his place of business early Monday morning by shooting himself in the head.

The discovery was made by Bruce Wilson, who worked for Mr. Eisel, when he started to work about 6:30 O'clock Monday morning. When he entered the middle room of the meat market just at the rear of the sales room. Bruce saw Mr. Eisel lying on the floor face downward, with blood flowing from a wound in the head. He was still breathing. A 22-calibre repeating rifle, which was used in killing live stock, was lying on a work bench just above where Mr. Eisel lay.

Mr Wilson went out and called Howard Fritz and together they went back and placed Mr. Eisel in a more comfortable position. In the meantime Dr. P. A. Zaring, who had been sent for, arrived and after a hasty examination pronounced the injury fatal.

Mr. Eisel lingered until almost nine o'clock when he breathed his last. It is supposed that he shot himself about 5:30 o'clock, as that was his usual time of going to work.

His horse and market wagon were hitched to the rack on the public square, just across the street from his place of business.

The hand and fingers of the left hand were powder-burned, also the hair around the wound, indicating that he had held the muzzle of the gun with his left hand against the side of his head, resting the stock of the gun on the work bench, and pulled the trigger with his right hand.

County Coroner Geo. Manuel, of Seymour, was called and held an inquest rendering a verdict of suicide in accordance with the above facts.

Despondency over fast-failing health is supposed to have been the cause of Mr. Eisel taking his life. Weighing something over 200 pounds a year ago, he had fallen off in flesh to probably 130 pounds. About a year ago he sold his meat market on Main street and went to farming, but several months ago he re-opened a new meat market on Walnut street, in Arthur Greger's room opposite the court house. 

Deceased was born in Hamilton township March 16, 1870, and was united in marriage to Minnie Wilson of Brownstown, November 11, 1896, who survives him. He also leaves two brothers, Adam, of Topeka, Kan., and Philip, of Kansas City, Mo., and one step-son, Clyde Wilson, of Brownstown.

Funeral services were conducted at his late house this afternoon at 2 o'clock, under the auspices of the Red Men lodge, Rev. C. H. Earenfight, pastor of the Christian church, officiating. Burial in Fairview cemetery.

The family seemed to  be followed by tragedy. Such a sad tale!

Source:
Jackson County Banner; Brownstown, Indiana; Wednesday, January 17, 1923; Page 1.

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