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Thomas Theodore Labisch- Age 49- a native of Germany- whose occupation is Blacksmith- living in Santa Cruz- and naturalized through his father- was registered on 09/20/1882.

Santa Cruz County Hospital Records

Thos. Labisch, a 71 year old blacksmith from Germany, was admitted to the County Hospital on September 14, 1901 as an indigent. He was subsequently released on Dec. 19, 1901.

Evergreen Cemetery Records

Thomas Theodore Labisch, #22 School St. died 03/13/1922 at the age of 90. He was a white, single male, born in Germany and resided in Santa Cruz County for forty years. His parents (name unknown) were both born in Germany. He was buried at Evergreen on March 15, 1922.

A Compendium to the War of the Rebellion, Frederick H. Dyer

8th California Regiment Infantry

Organized by Companies as follows: company “A at Watsonville and mustered in November 17 1864. Stationed at Fort Point, Calif., till February, 1865. At Cape Disappointment, mouth of the Columbia River Washington Territory, till August 17, 1865, and at Fort Dalles, Ore., till October 1865. Ordered to Fort Point, Calif., October 1865. Regiment mustered out October 24, 1865.

Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, Brig.-Gen. Richard H. Orton

Thomas T Labisch was enrolled in Company A of the 8th California at Watsonville as a private on Nov 12, 1864. He was mustered in Nov 17, 1864, and discharged with the company at Fort Point, S.F. on October 24, 1865. The company was stationed at Fort Point Calif., until February , 1865 and then sent to Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia River Washington Territory, till August 17 1865. It then proceeded to Fort Dalles, Ore., until October 1865. It was then ordered to Fort Point California for discharge and mustering out October 24, 1865.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 25, 1876)

Severe Accident

Thomas Labisch, in company with Henry Leibbrandt and father, while excavating earth from a bank in Gold Gulch, last Saturday morning met with quite a severe accident. Labisch alone was working into the bank when a large body of earth fell upon him crushing him. When taken out by his fellow workmen, it was found that he had sustained a compound fracture of the bones between the hip and knee of the left leg, and two ribs cracked on the left side. He is under Dr. Canney's treatment is doing well.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 14, 1922)

Lived in Santa Cruz Since 50's

Thomas T Labisch who has resided in Santa Cruz since 1852, being one of the pioneers who came from Missouri to this state died last night at School Street, where he has been living with his sister, Mrs. A.B. Blanchard, and for two months with his nieces, Mrs. Laura Bilodeau and Mrs. George W. Smith have been carrying for him, as for 18 years he has been afflicted with blindness.

Mr. Labisch was born 90 years and 9 months ago in [Saxony] Germany, and was with other members of his family well known here. For many years he followed blacksmithing and was a workman who turned out work of a high grade. He was a veteran of the Civil War, and was among the first to volunteer in California.

Mr. Labisch never married and leaves a sister Mrs. A.B. Blanchard and a brother Rudolph who is at Cowells, and nephews and nieces here; Mrs. Laura Bilodeau, and Mrs. G.W. Smith who came down from Ukiah, Mrs. Carrie Linstedt, and Mrs. Robert Baxter, and nephews Seth and Ted Blanchard.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 16, 1922)

The funeral services over the late Thomas Labisch who died at the age of 90 years was held yesterday afternoon from Wessendorf and Stetten Undertaking parlors at 3 o'clock.

A number of old soldiers were present and the services were conducted by Rev. W.P. Grant of Eastside Methodist Church.

The burial was in the family plot at Evergreen Cemetery. Members of the American Legion acted as pallbearers.

Editorial Notes from Robert L. Nelson

Thomas Theodore Labisch was probably born in the vicinity of Berlin Germany in or around 1831. His father Carl, described as a "Swordsman and Blacksmith," died in Santa Cruz, on May 9, 1881 at the age of 77 years. His mother was Augusta Labisch, also of Germany. We are aware of at least one brother (Otto), who was a well-known individual in Santa Cruz County, and a sister, Albertina Blanchard.

The family left Germany in approx. 1842 and migrated to the United States settling in Missouri before coming to Santa Cruz in 1844. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz they settled on what is now the Morrissey property near Branciforte School.

We believe that in 1849 the family went to the Gold Fields and sometime during the period acquired a ranch on the Calaveras River which they occupied until about 1857 or 1858 when they returned to Santa Cruz. At some in time they sold the Morrissey property and moved to property adjoining the Holy Cross church, which they continued to occupy.

In 1864 Thomas and his brother Otto enrolled in Company A of the 8th California Infantry being recruited at Watsonville.

Date of Birth: 1831-06-04

Date of Death: 1922-13-03

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Evergreen Cemetery

Cause of Death: Art/Sclerosis

Occupation: Blacksmith

Religion: Me

Height: 5'7

Complexion: Lt

Eye Color: Bl

Hair Color: Gr

Local Address: School St 22

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: GE

Father Native of: Otto

Enlisted: 1864/11/12

Discharged: 1865/10/24

Military Unit: CA_ 8 Inf_ Co A

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: E-Wtsnvll_ D-FtPnt

GAR#: N/R

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: Orton's CMiWR