Bio: Weber, Catherine C. (102nd Birthday – 1966)

Contact: Dinah Reinke

Email: dinah@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Weber, Heidle, Mertens, Jones, Weber, Brockman, Weix

------ Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford and Colby, Clark Co., Wis.) 01/20/1966

------ Weber, Catherine C. (102^nd Birthday – 01/13/1966)

Mrs. Catherine C. Weber, Thorp, is believed to be the oldest person in Clark county.  She observed her 102^nd birthday anniversary on Thursday, Jan. 13.  Born Catherine Heidle in 1864, she is a Civil war orphan.  Her father, who left for service in the Union army died in a military camp at Little Rock, Ark., shortly after her birth and never saw his daughter.

In 1885 she was united in marriage to Michael Mertens.  He died five years later leaving her with three small children; Oscar, now deceased, Mrs. Irma Jones and Olga, at home.

In 1891, she married Max Weber, a Civil War veteran.  They made their home in Thorp and operated a furniture store there.  He died in 1928.

For 81 years, Mrs. Weber has been a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic church, Thorp.  She has been a regular attendant until just recently.  The pastor Rev. Francis J. Brockman, visits her often and remarks about her good health and her ability to get about the house.

Her grand son, Rev. Michael G. Mertens of La Crosse, said a special mass for her at Thorp on her birthday anniversary.

Mrs. Weber is also the grand mother of Mrs. Frank Weix and Mrs. Ray Weix.  The two Mrs. Weix are both daughters of the now deceased Oscar Mertens, eldest child of Mrs. Weber by her first husband.

Mrs. Weber attributes her long life to the blessing from God of good health, the wonderful care by her daughters and the spiritual assistance of her pastor.  She has never used tobacco or liquor and has always believed in keeping busy.

She loves America, and believes that Abraham Lincoln was the greatest American President.  Lincoln was assassinated when Mrs. Weber was 15 months of age.