Charles-Ferdinand-Ebner-85130

Obituary

Charles Ferdinand Ebner, 80, native and life resident of Burlington died at 4 p.m. Thursday in his home, 2136 S. Main street, the same house in which he was born. He had been ill for about a year, and was patient in Burlington hospital for about 8 weeks prior to last November when he returned home. He was born here Jan. 22, 1866, the son of Ferdinand and Elizabeth Dewein Ebner.. His father was a gunsmith of wide reputation and conducted a sporting goods store, the only store in Burlington devoted exclusively to hunting and fishing equipment. This business was later taken over by Charles F. Ebner and his brother, Rollie. It was established in 1856, a year after the father came to Burlington. In later years Charles F. Ebner managed his father's vineyard of 22 acres, and established an attractive summer garden on the property. The vineyard on the property is 116 years old and the deepest wine cellar in Iowa, made of crude rocks, is located there, In days gone by Ebner's wine was shipped to all parts of the country and carloads of grapes went to Minnesota, Concords, Catawba and Ives Cedelings were the popular varieties, and a large grape crop is still harvested, although no wine has been made in the last 10 or 12 years. There are many trophies in the home, won by Ebner for marksmanship in the earlier days of his life. His was a member of old Company H of the Iowa national guard and had a state wide reputation for marksmanship. In the old days, too, Ebner did some fancy ice skating, was a waltzer of reputation, and was a good swimmer. "He could swim the river at high or low stage," said one of his friends, "and often did it." While he gave up club affiliations years ago, he was formerly a member of Crystal Lake club, of which his father was an early member; the Elks club and the Hawkeye Natives society. Surviving are his widow, Minnette Snider Ebner, and 2 nephews, Roy Allison Ebner of Washington, D.C. and Harold R. Ebner of Omaha. His brother, Rollie, is dead. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Burnett-Wallen funeral home. Rev. Alfred Bernadt will officiate, and burial will be in Aspen Grove cemetery. Pallbearers will be James e. Jamison, Paul Rapp, Frank Brooks, Fred and Harry Zurmuehlin, and Frank Houck..