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Saturday, November 22, 2008

From Bradsbury History of Luzerne County

Charles S. GABEL, proprietor of "Hotel Gabel," Wilkes-Barre, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 21, 1839, a son of Thomas and Maria (Segfried) Gabel, and comes of the sturdy German stock who were among the pioneers of Pennsylvania. He was reared and educated in his native city; learned the tobacconist trade with his father, who conducted a tobacco store in Philadelphia many years, where he still resides. In August, 1862, our subject enlisted n Company C, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, which company he, with others, raised in Wilkes-Barre. He was elected a corporal, promoted to sergeant and detailed to headquarters under Gen. Crawford, Fifth Corps, as sergeant of provost guard; served in that capacity three months, when he was sent to New York city on conscript duty, where he had charge of the examination of all discharges. He was honorably discharged at close of war, at Hart Island, New York Harbor, and returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he had previously located in 1861. After working at his trade for a time, he engaged in the cigar trade two years, and for fourteen years has been in the hotel business. He has occupied his present hotel since April, 1891. In 1866 Mr. Gabel married Miss Mary Zaun, whose father was for many years proprietor of the "Old Fell House," the oldest hostelry in the city. Mr. Gabel is a member of Zion Reformed Church, G. A. R., State and U. S. League of Red Men (being brigadier inspector of latter), and P. O. S. of A. In politics he is a Republican.