Charlie G. Ekburg  b. 8/13/1871 – d. 4/10/1948

Charlie George Ekburg was born in  Malma, Sweden in 8/13/1871. He emigrated to the United States sometime in 1893. Charlie was christened, Karl Anders Son at birth.  He had one brother, August, a  half+brother named Johan and three sisters named Mary Johanna and Hilda.  Hilda died at an early age; the remaining siblings all emigrated to the United States.

Charlie changed his name form Karl Ander Son to Charlie George Ekburg when he came to the United States.  His brothers both took the name of Ekburg. The sisters kept the family name of Anderson.

Outside of passenger lists and emigration documents there is no history for Charlie between Sweden, New York until he finally lit in Pueblo, Colorado living near both other brothers. Charlie eventually found his way to Silverton, Colorado with his brother August.  We have a record of his first presence in La Plata City, Colorado just before 1897.

Charlie married his “mail-order-bride” Beda Matilda Petersson on 1 June 1913, in Denison, Texas. After moving back to La Plata, Colorado, they produced three children named Verner, Evelyn and Edwin (Charlie and Beda’s progeny) all born in Durango, Colorado and raised in La Plata City, Colorado.

Charlie worked with his brother at mining gold in their Black Di’Mond and White Di’Mond mines located in the La Plata mountains, Colorado.  Charlie was a skilled blacksmith who in later years would build the ornamental ironwork that decorated the gates and entrances at the La Plata County fair grounds in Durango, Colorado.

Charlie moved his family from La Plata City to Durango, Colorado in about 1933-1934.  Little is known why Charlie left the Canyon to live in town, but we speculate the depression era had devastated gold mining and he had to move closer to work. Those were the same years the government confiscated Americans’ gold.

Charlie passed on the 10th day of April, 1948, just three months before the birth of his first grandson who was sired by his son Edwin, whom Charlie and would become his namesake, Charlie Ekburg 7/48.  Beda christened her first grandson, “my little Charlie“.

Below Charlie is featured in several images some presumably taken by a member of the family.  In the trio shot you can see Charlie with his brother Gus and wife Signe; Gus has a camera in his hand.  We are blessed to have many images of that era because of someone’s hobby.

(Authored by his grandson Charlie Ekburg)

All images copyright Ekburg Family Archive.