(1929-1934) 

Carl Theodore Okerberg was born in Sköns, V. Nordland, Sweden on 11 Nov 1875. At the age of 20, in 1895, Carl left his family and immigrated to the US through New York with the intention of settling in Chicago. He apparently achieved that goal because in 1903, he married Elizabeth Wedberg in Cook County, IL. 

By 1910, we find Carl and Elizabeth living in Elkhart, IN with two young children: Svea 6 and Roy 5. Carl was now a naturalized U S citizen with a good job as a rubber worker. Just prior to 1920, something called the family to Salem. It is possible that Elizabeth had relatives there as we find one reference to a cousin living in Salem when she passed away.  

Carl first worked as a lumber inspector in Salem then as a mechanic with A M Hanson. However, for several years, no occupation is listed in the Salem City Directories, but he must have worked somewhere. His two children were approaching their late teens and by the fall of 1923, son Roy entered the University of Oregon. Svea began working as a stenographer for a law office. 

Roy went on to a stellar athletic career at the U of O. He was a nationally recognized center on the basketball team for four years and played on the university tennis team. He graduated in 1927 from the School of Business Administration and took up a career in Oakland, CA. 

In 1930, Carl began his career at TKWM, first as a helper then as a dyer. At first, Carl and Elizabeth rented at 457 N 17th but soon moved to 295 Richmond Ave where they lived with Svea for many more years. Carl continued to work at TKWM until his retirement in 1949.  

Carl passed away on 18 Jul 1954 and is interred at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem. Soon after Carl’s death, Elizabeth and Svea moved to Oakland, CA to be closer to Roy and his family. Elizabeth passed away in Oakland in 1960 and was returned to rest next to Carl in Salem. 

Note:  The census records from 1910 through 1940 clearly show the history of Carl and his family. However, when information was collected for the Salem City Directories beginning in 1924, Carl began using the name Charles. Carl arrived in Salem just at the end of WW1 and anglicizing the Germanic name Carl to Charles may have been by choice. It is possible that Carl used the name Charles for his employment at TKWM as well.    

1920 Carl Okerberg. Born about 1876 in Sweden. Owns home at 2914 W Broadway, Muskogee, OK. Married HOH. Mother and Father born in Sweden. Lumber Inspector. Carl T Okerberg 44, Elizabeth Okerberg 40, Svea E Okerberg 16, Carl Roy Okerberg 14.  

1930 Carl P Okerberg. Born 1876 in Sweden. Married HOH. Rents home 457 N 17th, Salem, OR. Age at first marriage 26 (1902). Has radio set. Father and Mother born in Sweden. First language Swedish. Immigration 1895. Naturalized. Carbonizer, Woolen Mill. Carl P Okerberg 54, Elizabeth M Okerberg 50, Svea E Okerberg 26 (Steno, Lawyers Office) 

1940 Carl T Okerberg. Born about 1876 in Sweden. Married HOH. Owned home at 295 Richmond Ave, Salem, OR. Naturalized. Dryer, Woolen Mill. Completed 8th Grade. Carl T Okerberg 64, Elizabeth M Okerberg 60, Svea E Okerberg 36.  

1924 Chas T Okerberg (Elizabeth) Mech A M Hansen. H 1840 S High. 

1928 Chas T Okerberg (Elizabeth) H 457 17th. 

1930 Charles W Okerberg (Elizabeth M) Hlpr TKWM. H 457 17th. 

1932 Charles W Okerberg (Elizabeth M) Wool Dryer TKWM. H 457 17th. 

1934 Charles W Okerberg (Elizabeth M) Millwkr TKWM. H 457 17th. 

1935 Charles W Okerberg (Elizabeth M) Dyer TKWM. H 295 Richmond Av. 

Elizabeth Marie Wedberg Okerberg. Birth: 2 May 1879 in Ramsele, Sollefteakommun, Vasternorrlands lan, Sweden. Death: 17 Jan 1960 (aged 80) in Oakland, Alameda County, CA. Burial: Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Marion County, OR. Memorial ID: 73217821 

Capital Journal 18 Jan 1960 p. 7. Mrs. Elizabeth Okerberg Obituary 

1. U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947 

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