Edward John Weik and Emma Christine Berggren

Edward John Weik and Emma Christine Berggren are my granduncle and grandaunt. Edward came to Riley County, Kansas from Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois with his parents John Edward Weik and Elizabeth Brandt in 1875. Emma’s father Charles A Berggren came to America from Sweden in 1868. Emma’s mother Fredrika Wilhelmina Jonsdotter came to America in the early 1870s from Sweden. It is not clear what brought these families to Kansas, but it was the land to farm and raise a family that seemed appealing.

They were married on June 20, 1900, in Riley County, Kansas. He was of German descent, and she was of Swedish descent. It was a big wedding with lots of food and merriment to be had by all. I love reading the comments below, ” The bride is an intelligent and handsome young lady and is highly esteemed by her large circle of friends. The groom well you all know him, so little remains to be said.”

Edward and Emma settled down in Leonardville, Riley, Kansas. In the 1910 Kansas Census Edward was a farmer and Emma kept house and the family was growing as tall as the wheat they planted. They had nine children: Esther Lillian 1901-1999, Elmer Edward 1902-1974, Edna Elizabeth 1903-1984, Elsie Florence 1906-1907, Earl John 1907-1985, Emery Carl 1909-1984, Eldon Louis 1912-1953, Everett David 1913-1984, and Eula Fay Weik 1916-2000.

On September 12, 1918, Edward went to the local draft board and enlisted for WWI. He was forty-four years old, a farmer, was tall, stout, had black hair and brown eyes. Because he was an older man and was farming it seems he only enlisted and never served anywhere.

They raised their children in the Walsburg Lutheran Church, where their mother was raised. The first significant settlement of Swedes in Kansas Territory made their home in the Blue River Valley, north of present-day Manhattan. The railroads also encouraged Scandinavian immigration. The Santa Fe and the Kansas Pacific Railroads both developed Swedish publications to promote Kansas as a good place to settle. The purpose of the land company was to settle Swedes in a single community with a strong religious focus. The company purchased land in southern Saline and northern McPherson counties from the Kansas Pacific Railway. Settlement in central Kansas was then promoted among Swedish emigrants who could purchase land from the company.

On September 12, 1918, Edward went to the local draft board and enlisted for WWI. He was forty-four years old, a farmer, was tall, stout, had black hair and brown eyes. Because he was an older man and was farming the only enlisted and never served anywhere.

As the children became older and started their families they continued to stay close to each other and got together for weddings, funerals, and holidays. Edward and Emma had a large 50th Wedding Anniversary gathering in 1950 to celebrate their day with many families and friends.

Esther Lillian Weik was born March 28, 1901, in Leonardville, Riley, Kansas. She married Ralph Emerson Badgley. At this writing, I do not have a marriage date. They had at least one son Larry Ralph Badgley. Esther died on July 1, 1999, in Aurora, Marion, Oregon.

Elmer Edwards Weik was born on May 20, 1902, in Leonardville, Riley, Kansas. He married Elizabeth Helen Harris (1911-1991) on June 10, 1938, in Portland, Oregon. Their children are Robert Allen, Sr., William Kingsley, and James E Weik. Elmer died April 24, 1974, in Aurora, Marion, Oregon. Elizabeth Helen died on April 23, 1991, in Tualatin, Oregon.

Edna Elizabeth (Betty) Weik was born on September 6, 1903, in Leonardville, Riley, Kansas. She married Bayard Basil Stull around 1940 in Kansas or Missouri. It is not known whether this couple had any children, at this writing I have found none. Edna died February 22, 1984, in Marion, Marion, Oregon. Bayard died November 10, 1981, in Linn County, Oregon.

Elsie Florence Weik was born on January 21, 1906, and died on March 3, 1907, she was only about a year old.

Earl John Weik was born on October 20, 1907, in Riley, Riley, Kansas. He was not married, and I could not find any children with him. Earl died on January 22, 1985, in Marion County, Oregon.

Emery Carl Weik was born on August 24, 1909, in Leonardville, Riley, Kansas. Emery married around 1939 to Levonne Naomi Peterson (1916-2010) and they had two children: Jean Kay and Danny Weik. He married Kathryn Ann Wohler (1929-2012) on October 29, 1953, in Junction City, Geary, Kansas and there were no children born to this union. Emery died on May 11, 1984, in Manhattan, Riley, Kansas at the age of seventy-four years old.

Eldon Lewis Weik was born on November 29, 1912, in Leonardville, Riley, Kansas. He married Lillian Louise Carlson (1923-2001) around 1942 and had four children: Cheryl Ann, Charles Roger, and Richard Weik. Eldon died on February 8, 1953, at the age of forty years old.

Everett David Weik was born November 30, 1913, in Leonardville, Riley, Kansas. He married Imogene Luella Lesley (1931-1988) in 1955 in Otoe, Otoe, Nebraska. They had one child David Edward Weik (1956-2013). Everett died in January 1984 in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, he was seventy years old.

Eula Fay Weik was born on November 20, 1916, in Madison, Riley, Kansas. She married Joseph D Galindo on August 23, 1946, in California. This couple had no children together. Eula died on April 1, 2000, in San Diego, San Diego County, California.

Edward John Weik died at the age of eighty years old in 1984 and Emma Christine Berggren Weik on January 1, 1962, at the age of eighty-six years old in  Lindsborg, McPherson, Kansas. They are both buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Riley County, Kansas.