Charles F. Ebel, State Librarian 1921-1925

Charles F. Ebel was appointed State Librarian in 1921

Charles Frederick Ebel was born to parents August and Mary L. Koester Ebel on March 28, 1873. His parents were from Germany and had recently settled in Northfield, Minnesota. He also had a brother Benjamin, who became a blacksmith.

Ebel was educated at local public schools and attended Northfield High School. He traveled to Superior Wisconsin for business school and then moved back home to work in the mercantile business in Northfield. In 1897 he moved to Faribault and then in 1899 to Morristown. He opened a general store with Fred Laufenburger and married Fred's daughter Emma. He then moved back to Faribault.

In 1904, Ebel was elected clerk of district court of Rice County and started his position in 1905. He maintained this office through 1921. Emma appears to have worked intermittently as Deputy Clerk for a number of years between 1911 and 1919.

Charles and Emma's only child, Fanchon Marie Ebel was born on April 23, 1918.

Ebel registered for the draft in 1918, when he was 45 years old, although he doesn't seem to have served in the war. 

Charles F. Ebel was appointed State Librarian on January 14, 1921 by Governor J.A.O. Preus. During his second year as librarian, he was endorsed by the Democratic Party to run for Supreme Court Clerk against Grace Kaercher. Miss Kaercher won the election and Ebel dropped out before the final ballot.

Ebel's term as librarian ended May 30, 1925 and this was the end to his participation in politics. His family moved back to Faribault to continue their lives. On December 25, 1928, his wife Emma died. Less than a year later, on November 27, 1929, he married for the second time to Jessie Marie Throop Ayers, who was marrying for the third time.  

In 1930, the couple had taken over as proprietors of French Lake Resort, on French Lake in Faribault. By 1950, they had retired to Santa Ana, California.

Charles F. Ebel died January 20, 1955 at the age of 81 in California.