The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-15
Pioneer Citizen and Banker of Birmingham Dies at His Late Residence After Brief Illness
AMASSED FORTUNE BY FRUGALITY AND
 BUSINESS INSIGHT
Member of First Board of Aldermen-Long Identi- fled With Activities Look ing to Upbuilding of City

Funeral services over the remains of Christian F. Enslen. aged s5 years, pioneer citizen and builder of Birming- ham. who died at the family residence 2155 Highland avenue, yesterday morning at o'clock after brief illness. will be conducted from the residence this after noon at 3:0 o'clock. Interment will fol- low in Oak Hill cemetery. Dr. A J. Dickinson will officiate.
 There was probably no better known man in Jefferson county than Christian F. Enslen. He had been resident of Birmingham for the past 40 years and had seen the city grow from hamlet to a metropolis. The deceased was born at Stuttgart Wurtemburg. Germany, in 1S3O At the age of IA he emigrated to this country in company with his three brothers. all older than himself They settled in Wetumpka and after a time Christian Enslen. came to Birmingham This was in 1871 when the little hamlet of Birmingham had commenced to at- tract the attention of the people in the surrounding country on account of Its vast mineral wealth. MT. Enslen, through careful saving and frugality had anna ssed 8 little money and with this he started a mercantile business He was unusually successful in his business and in 1885 purchased property on the corner of Sec ond avenue and Twenty-first street and built four-story structure thereupon.
 Married in 1S49
 In 1S49, he married Miss Elizabeth Flynn of Wetumpka. In 1885 the de- Cn mia 1A6 t1a., Iaffz. Savings bank and was active in the af- fairs of the institution until the first of last year.
 A history of the life of Christian Fred erick Enslen reads like novel. As soon as he had reached his majority he took out naturalization papers and became an American citizen. When the war between the states broke out in 1861 he was among the first to shoulder a musket and go to the front He saw service, too in the Mexican war. He was an enthusia stic member of Camp Hardee, United Confed- crate Veterans, an Odd Fellow and a Mason, belonging to King Solomon lodge. No. 460. He was a member of the First Baptist church and always took an active interest in its affairs
 MT. Enslen was a member of the first board of aldermen when the city of Bir- mingham was incorporated, serving in that capacity for several terms and re- tiring on account of urgent business af- fairs which required all of his attention He was generous to fault and was constantly opening his purse to some charitable organization.
 Mir Enslen was a philosopher and a scholar. An amusing incident is told in regard to the principles of Mir. Enslen, who had the son of an old friend of his to come to him one day and six how he could be- come rich. The first question asked by Mr E,nSlpp maker" The boy mentioned a very small . salary. Save half of it." said Mr. Ens'sn. But if I did save half of all make I couldn't live" replied the youth.
 Too bad" replied the adviser; you can never be rich
 No man who doesn't possess the nerve to deny himself of a great many pleasures of life and some of the necessities will ever make success in this world, he con- tinued Wealth does not consist of the money made; 1t consists of the money saved" And upon this foundation Chris tian Frederick Enslen built his huge for tune. He had the first piece of money he had ever earned up until the time of his death
 Will Long Be Missed
 With the passing of Christian F. Enslen, Birmingham loses one of it's oldest citi- zens. A man who had the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in con tact and one who will long be missed.
 The deceased is survived by two sons Eugene F. Ensen of Birmingham, and John H. Enslen of Gulfport, and two daughters Miss Emma J. Enslen and Mrs. Charles E. Thomas of Birmingham. He is also survived by the following grand children: Fred E. Ensen, Samuel Carl Enslen, Eugene F. Enslen. Jr., Walter Shackelford, Mrs T. L. Anglin, Mrs. Ben jamin E. Kidd, Mrs. John M. Lutz of Birmingham, Jackson M. Enslen and Mrs. Clemens Krach of New York, Mrs. Leon Robinson of Wetumpka and Washington Shackleford of Miami.
 The following will act as active pau- bearers: James A. Downey T. F. Wim- berly, F. G. Macke, William c. Sterrett, George w. Harris, W. D. Wood, R. H. Baugh. William M Spencer, Jr.. R. NJ. Jenkins, J. L. Yancey.
 The honorary pallbearers will be R. F. Manley, Col T. O. Smith, M. P. Lewis. pr. George M. Morrow, Senator Frank S. -ughite, Maj. w. J. Milner. w. s. Brown.