NPS Photo An immigrant story began for Edward Wenberg in early 1880. According to family lore, Edward's father was a professor of music at Uppsala University in Sweden, but Edward's future lay elsewhere. He arrived in the Copper Country and by November of the same year he had married Minnie Esko, who had been working as a domestic servant in the Laurium home of the entrepreneur Hiram Cole, a business partner of merchant Charles Briggs. 
Keweenaw NHP Archives Curto--Album 5--#018--Calumet and Hecla Blacksmiths--1906 Edward worked as a blacksmith and machinist for the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company until his retirement. The family built a home on a lot leased from the company at 1664 Laurium Street, where they lived for about 40 years. The two-story house featured bay windows and enough space to house a family: the couple had seven children. Edward lived in the home until his death in 1938, stubbornly refusing to join his family downstate. Descendants of the Wenbergs include former Houghton Mayor Carlos Wenberg and many other family members, now spread from coast to coast.
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Last updated: January 26, 2018