Carl Gustav Adolph WECKHORST

1889-1986

Carl Gustav Adolph Weckhorst was born January 11, 1889 in Bamble, Norway, the oldest of the 8 children of Gustav Adolph Frederik Weckhorst and his wife, Anna (Halvorsen) Weckhorst. Carl was christened 16 Jan 1890 in Bamble church, Norway. Carl's son Gordon says if his father Carl had stayed in Norway, he would have had to join the military at age 18.

Carl first came to Minnesota and worked for a farmer near Louisberg, MN where he was close to Emma Skordahl and her parents (they were homesteading near Louisberg, MN). Carl applied for a homesteading application for a plot of land about 10 miles from Cutbank, MT (which is apparently extrememly barren country). He had a horse and buggy.

Carl Weckhorst and Emma Skordahl were married March 23, 1915. Emma was born 12 June 1890. Carl and Emma had 5 children (moving back to Minnesota after the third was born. A local Minnesota newspaper article notes that on February 27, 1942 "Carl Weckhorst returned Tuesday of last week from the state of Washington where he had been spending a few weeks visiting with his aged mother, brothers and sisters. He had not seen most of them for about 35 years and he tells of his brother, being a barber (ed. note: this would be brother Pete), shaving him and he did not know who he was before Mr. Weckhorst told him". One photo from Carl's trip can be seen on his sister, Johanna's pages.

Emma passed away 13 May 1962 in Montevideo, MN. Carl passed away May 4, 1986 in Louisburg, MN.

Carl's siblings (all born in Bamble County, Norway):

See also Gustav Adolph Frederik Weckhorst's page for the famous family wagon photo.


Cut Bank is in upper Montana, slightly left of center.

Carl tried prospecting for oil in Cut Bank, Montana. He and Emma lived there for many years, and their eldest three children were born there.


Carl and Emma's first house: Cut Bank, MT


Carl's homestead liscence from the State of Montana


According to Carl's son Carl Gordon, Carl caught wild horses

Carl's son Carl Gordon looks over his parents land in Montana, "such a barren place"

1916 Newspaper Clipping

SKORDAHL-WECKHORST

A pretty home wedding occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Even Skordahl on Thursday March 23rd at three o'clock in the afternoon, when daughter, Miss Emma, became the wife of Carl Weckhorst. The ceremony was performed by Rev. O.J. Marken. The bride wore a beautiful dress of white messaline silk trimmed with silk allover lace. She also wore a veil and carried a large and beautiful bouquet of white carnations. The groom was dressed in conventional black. The bridesmaids were the Misses Amelia E. and Bertina E. Skordahl, sisters of the bride. The groomsmen were Halfdan Weckhorst, a brother of the groom, and Carl E. Skordahl, a brother of the bride. The wedding march was played by Miss Amelia H. Skordahl, a cousin of the bride. A sumptuous wedding dinner was served to a large number of invited guests, relatives and friends, and a very pleasant time was had by all. Mr. and Mrs. Weckhorst will leave in a short time for Ethridge Montana where they will make their future home. The many friends of this worthy young couple join in wishing them a happy and prosperous journey through life.

1941 family photo.
standing (left to right) Eleanor, Gustav, Gordon
seated Emma (wife), Elizabeth, Donald, Carl (portrait subject)

Carl and Emma had children:

LOUISBURG NEWS

Their 25th wedding anniversary (March 23, 1941) write up

MR. AND MRS. CARL WECKHORST HONORED LAST SUNDAY

A very beautiful silver wedding celebration was held at the Louisburg church parlors Sunday afternoon in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Weckhorst of Bellingham, who are members of the Louisberg Lutheran congregation. The occasion seemed to be very festive, being that years ago on March 23, 1916, Miss Emma Skordahl and Carl Weckhorst were united in marriage at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Even Skordahl. Rev. O.J. Marken performed the ceremony.

The church parlors were beautifully decorated in the colors of silver and rose. The bridal table was graced with bouquets of carnations and a very beautiful three-tier wedding cake, made by Mrs. Ole Rognlien, a life-long friend of the bride. At the bridal table were seated the honored couple and their children, the bride's mother, Mrs. Torine Skordahl and the bride's sisters and brothers. Rev. and Mrs. E.S. Belgum and a few of the older members present.

Before the refreshments were served, an interesting program was rendered with Rev. E.S. Belgum in charge. Mrs. Ole Olson, cousin of the honored bride, who also played the wedding march 25 years ago, played the same wedding march, while the silver wedding couple, and their four children took their respective places of honor. Rev. Belgum conducted a short devotion after which the following program was given. Miss Selma Winger of Appleton, gave a beautiful reading in which she also included the writeup of the wedding 25 years ago, as found in Louisburge locals of The Western Guard. Perhaps the number which brought the greatest joy to Mr. and Mrs. Weckhorst was a sincere greeting sent by their son Gustav, who only a few days ago left with Company M from Appleton for Camp Claiborne, La. He also enclosed a gift of five dollars. Mrs. Ole Olson read his letter. William Teppen read a poem entitled, "We Grow Old Together". Little Donald Weckhorst, son of the bridal couple, recited a beautiful recitation, "Mother and Father." A vocal duet, "Love Divine" by Mrs. L.K. Philley and Mrs. E.G. Hansen. Mrs. William Bombeck and Mrs. Stanley Holton read very fitting poems by Edgar A. Guest. Mrs. H.O. Iverson gave a large number of congratulatory messages from far and near, after which he gave an appropriate talk and presented the couple with a substantial purse of money from the large host of neighbors and friends assembled. Mr. and Mrs. Weckhorst responded with warm words of thanks and appreciation for the many gifts and honor shown (unreadable)

Greetings and gifts, including money and also several beautiful gifts of silverware were received by the following relatives and friends:

Mrs. Torine Skordahl, Emelia and Ole Skordahl. Mrs. Ida Hanson of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Aslak Skordahl of Northwood, N. D. Mr. and Mrs. Gust Raaen of Whalen, Minn., all relatives of the honored bride; Mrs. Anna Weckhorst, mother of the honored bridegroom, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Anker, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Weckhorst, Mrs. Dagmar Anderson, Sverre and Andreas Weckhorst, all of Allyn, Washington; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Erickson, Madison, Lillian Mortenson, Appleton, Mrs. Walter Hubert, Rothsay, Mr. and Mrs. George Sheehan, St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Hutchinson, New Auburn, Wis., Mrs. Melvin Gostick, Mrs. Rudolph Peterson, Mrs. Roy Youngner, Miss Hilda Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Gust Sandel, and Mrs. Pauline Olson, all of Minneapolis. Gifts of silverware were given by Peter Johnson, Louisburg, Fred and Max Rau and their sister, Mrs. Reinhart Galow of Appleton, and Mr. and Mrs. David Shoberg of Sisseton, S.D. Besides the large number of friends from (unreadble) following friends from a distance were present to attend the happy event, Mrs. Ida Hanson, Minneapolis, Mr. and Louis Perry, Mr. and Mrs. George Rooney and son Mickey, Mr. and Mrs. John DeGroat, Mrs. Josephine Gjendahl and daughter Ruth and son Marcell, Mrs. Heige Hendrickson and daughter Bertha and son Clifford, Fred and Max Rau and sister, Mrs. Reinhart Galow, Mrs. Paulina Winger and daughters Cora and Selma, Mrs. Carrie Olson, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reidinger, all of Appleton, Mr. and Mrs. Anton and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Mork, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Bryant, Mrs. Mary Bordson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bordson and children, all of Madison, Mr. and Mrs. David Shoberg, Sisseton, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Simon Stromswold and sons of Bellingham, Mr. and Mrs. George Akins and son of Odessa, Mr. and Mrs. William Bombeck and Roger.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Weckhorst made their home on a homestead in Montana for nine years. In 1925, they moved back to Minnesota. Since that time, they have been residing on a farm in this community, a few years on a farm near Appleton. Last spring the Weckhorst family moved onto a farm near Bellingham, which Mr. Weckhorst had purchased a few months previous. They have a family of three sons and two daughters who were all present except their oldest son, Gustav.

The host of friends, neighbors and relatives extended to Mr. and Mrs. Weckhorst, their congratulations and best wishes for many more happy years of wedded life.

Carl's confirmation certificate. Note: Although Carl's name is spelled 'Karl' on the ceritificate above, HLW has checked with the Bamble church register of 1889/1890 and can ensure that he is christened "Carl Gustav Adolph"

The following are listed as Godfathers and Godmothers in the church register at his baptismal service: Handlende (tradeswoman) Caroline Weckhorst (his Grandmother, Pige (girl or miss) Johanne Weckhorst (his aunt), Lærer (teacher) Gunnar Løchen, Faderen (the father), Mekaniker (machinist) Jens Arbo Weckhorst (his uncle).

Carl Weckhorst's Obituary
 Carl Weckhorst

Funeral services were held Wednesday for Carl Weckhorst, 97, father of Eleanor Gilbertson. He died Sunday, May 4, at Luther Haven from heart failure after being in failing health for several years.

The Rev. Thomas Koelln officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service at Louisburg Lutheran Church in Louisburg.

Pallbearers were Lynn Gilbertson, Ronald Gilbertson, Charles Skordahl, Jimmy Paulson, Terry Paulson and Gary Fonkert. Burial was in the Louisburg Lutheran Cemetary.

Carl G. Weckhorst was born January 11, 1889 in Bumle, Norway to Gustave and Anna Weckhorst. He was baptized and confirmed in Norway and came to America when he was 18 years old. He lived near Cutbank, Montana for 12 years and the remainder of his life near Louisburg, where he farmed. On March 23, 1916 he was united in marriage to Emma Skordahl.

Surviving are three sons, Gustave Weckhorst, Melbourne, FL, Gordon Weckhorst, St. Paul, Donald Weckhorst of Paxton, IL; two daughters, Eleanor Gilbertson, Montevideo and Elizabeth Winguest, St. Paul; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1962, his parents, five brothers, 2 sisters and a great-grandchild.

Arrangements were by Anderson Funeral Home.


Carl and his children gather at Emma's funeral

The following tribute was written of Carl the year after he passed away:

In Memory

Tribute to our loving father, Carl G. Weckhorst who passed away one year ago May 4, 1986.
Our father gave each of us the most precious gift in the world -- LOVE.

  • When we were sick -- he nursed us.
  • When we were happy -- he rejoiced with us.
  • When we were sad -- he gave us the prescription to over come it, with profound words of fatherly wisdom.
  • When we were into mischief -- he corrected us with a stern look.
  • When we needed advice -- he had the answer.
  • And he gave us the greatest gift that any father can give his children and that was he always loved our mother.

                Gustave, Eleanor, Gordon, Donald and Elizabeth
                Written by son Donald Weckhorst
    
Carl Weckhorst in 1964 at his granddaughter
Nancy (Gilbertson) Fonkert's graduation.