WILLIAM GABLER, postmaster at Waldo, and the leading general merchant of the village, was born December 2, 1839, in a log house on the old home place in Pleasant township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of John G. and Dorothy (Gabler) Gabler.

John G. Gabler was born and reared in Germany, where he learned the trade of a mason at which he worked for many years.  He married Dorothy Gabler, and in 1829, with his family, came to America on a sailing vessel, which completed the voyage in 24 days, which was considered a quick trip at that time.  He located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he continued to work at his trade for two years, after which he moved in wagons to Ohio, and purchased 100 acres of virgin timber land in Pleasant township, Marion County.  With the assistance of some of his neighbors he cleared away some of the trees and erected a log cabin.  The land proved a swampy tract in which game of various kinds was often seen, but the larger part of this he finally cleared and placed in a state of cultivation.  Shortly after building the cabin for his family, he went to Columbus and assisted with the mason work on the National Bridge over the Scioto River, this being the first work at his trade he had done in this part of the country, but nearly every summer thereafter he devoted his time to that work.  He continued to reside on the farm until his death, which occurred in June, 1883, at the age of 84 years and six months.  His wife died in 1879, aged 79 years.  They were the parents of eight children all of whom, with the exception of the two youngest were born in Germany: Fred, deceased; John, deceased; Dorothy, who married Jacob Thaurer; Jacob; Christopher, deceased; and William.  Two children died in Germany.

William Gabler was reared on the home place in Pleasant township, and his education was obtained in the little, old, log schoolhouse of the district.  When still young, he assisted with the work in the woods and fields and soon did his share of the farming.  He continued to remain on the farm, which he cultivated for his father, until the fall of 1872, when he moved to Waldo and worked for David Curren, who conducted a saloon, which he subsequently bought and conducted for several years.  In 1884, in partnership with John Gompf, he built his present large store- room, which is a two-story brick structure, being the only brick business block in the village.  Mr. Gompf later sold his interest in the building to the Odd Fellows, and Mr. Gabler then established his present business, beginning in a small way with a stock of groceries and dry goods.  To this he has continued to add and now carries a complete stock of groceries, shoes, dry goods, and queens ware, and is one of the most prosperous and substantial business men of the village.  After residing here some time Mr. Gabler was called upon to fill the unexpired term of P. K. Francis as postmaster of Waldo.  Since then he has served off and on as postmaster, according to the politics of the national administration, and is at present serving in this capacity.  Mr. Gabler has always been a Republican in politics.  He is a member of Canby Lodge, No. 51, K. of P., at Marion, and of Lodge No. 588, I.0.0.F., at Waldo.

Mr. Gabler was married first in 1869 to Lora Rupp, who died in November, 1872.  She was a native of Pleasant township.  Two children were born to this union, namely Edward, residing at Marion, who is married and has two children -- Francis and Mildred -- and Lora, also residing at Marion.  In October, 1874, Mr. Gabler was married (second) to Lucinda Straup, who was born and reared in Waldo township, and whose father came from Pennsylvania to this county at a very early period.  Four children were born to the second union: Dora Ann, who married Harry Corban and has three children -- Claude, Ralph, and John Frank -- Mabel, who died aged four years; Charles, who died in Portland, Oregon; and Ralph, clerking in his father's store, who married Estelle Salenders and has one child, Cecil.  Mr. Gabler and his family reside in Waldo.

Dorothy's maiden name was WEINERT, not GABLER.  Lucinda's surname was STRAUB, not STRAUP; Harry's surname was CORBIN, not CORBAN; Estelle's surname was SELANDERS, not SALENDERS.  William's first wife was Laura, not Lora, and their son was Edson, not Edward.  Laura died in October, not November.  Their son was named Edson, not Edward.  William married Lucinda in March, not October.

Family Group Sheet of William Ralph GABLER (Jr.) & Estella A. SELANDERS