Charles Henry Werling 1867-1969

WERLING, DOWNING, NORBY, BURKE, CULPEPPER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/20/2010 at 00:13:11

Oldest Resident of County Dies at 101

Charles Henry Werling, 101, Emmet County’s oldest resident, died at 3:05 p.m. Saturday [February 1, 1969] at his home in Estherville. He had been in failing health since last summer.

He was born May 20, 1867, at Pomeroy, Ohio, to Mr. and Mrs. Karl Werling. He was married in March 1896, to Anna Downing. She died in 1934. He married Mrs. Florence Norby in October of 1937. She died in 1967.

Werling lived on his parents’ farm until he was 21. Later he moved to Tipton in 1889, where he worked as a carpenter for three years. He moved to Spencer in 1892 and to Estherville in 1896 following his marriage to Anna Downing.

He operated a laundry here for six years and then returned to carpentry work and continued in it actively until age 89.

Werling built hundred of houses in Estherville during the many years he was active as a contractor.

He also built store fronts and other structures, including a shelter at Fort Defiance Park in the 30’s.

He built the house at 920 First Avenue North where he had lived since 1913.

He was highly respected as a builder, having the reputation of using good materials and doing painstaking work. He said that sometimes he lost bids because he refused to compromise on quality.

During the later years of his life he kept active at carpentry and woodworking.

When he was 89 years old, he constructed several pieces of furniture for the Good Samaritan Center, including footstools, a pulpit, desks, chairs and other furnishings.

He enjoyed showing his home workshop to children, giving talks on woodworking to Boy Scouts.

Werling was an excellent marksman and hunter. Until he was almost 100 years old, he went pheasant hunting at least once a year. He recalled getting his limit of birds when he was 95.

On his 100th birthday he was asked how he stayed so healthy. “I’ve always had good food,” he said, “and a lot of rest.”

He was confirmed in the Lutheran church in 1882 at Pomeroy, Ohio, and he was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Estherville.

Survivors include two stepdaughters, Mrs. Hollis (Evalyn) Burke, Clear Lake; Mrs. Wirt (Florence) Culpepper, Crowley, La.; three nieces and six nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, four brothers and seven sisters.

Services will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Estherville, with Rev. W. H. Discher officiating. Burial will be in Oakhill Cemetery. Friend may call at Reese-Henry Funeral Home after 3 p.m. today until noon on Tuesday. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, February 3, 1969)