Theodore George Weibrecht was born on August 14, 1881, so today would be his 145th birthday. Theodore was the son of John and Margaret (Schaupert) Weibrecht. He was likely baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, so we are not able to display a baptism record for him. I have come to realize that when a person is born just after the 1880 census, that person, being almost 20 years old when he/she can be seen in the next census we are able to look at in 1900, that person may never be seen living with the parents. That is the case with Theodore. His father died in 1886, and his mother then married John Gerstacker in 1891. In his 1900 census entry, Theodore, at the age of 18, was living with Albert King, called a boarder, and doing farm labor. This pair was living in the Central Township. I will add the fact that on the next page of that year’s census, you will find his mother, John Gerstacker, and a few of his siblings, so Theodore likely lived very near part of his family.

The only other census entry in which we find Theodore as a single man was the one compiled in 1910. He was living by himself and farming in the Central Township.

Now, we will take a look at the woman who would become Theodore’s bride. Her name was Virgie Mary Colin, who was born on November 3, 1893, which means she was about 12 years younger than Theodore. Virgie was the daughter of Camille and Mary Jane (Simpson) Colin. Virgie’s baptism record is likely found in a local Catholic parish’s books. Virgie is found in the 1900 census at the age of 6. She is called Mary in this entry. Her father was a farmer in the Salem Township.

This photo of Virgie and her older brother, Robert, was taken when she was quite young.

When the 1910 census was taken, Virgie was 17 years old. She was the oldest of 7 children in the Colin household.

Theodore Weibrecht married Virgie Colin on May 15, 1911. They were married by a Catholic priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church according to their marriage license displayed here.

According to Family Search, the Weibrecht’s had 8 children, but I think they might have had 9. One of them died of peritonitis as a teenager. I should have been able to locate a World War I draft registration for Theodore, but I failed to find any military documentation for him. When the 1920 census was taken, there were 4 children in the Weibrecht family. Theodore was still farming in the Central Township.

Four more children were born in the 1920’s, and their daughter, Alma, died in early 1930, so in the 1930 census, we find the Weibrecht household with 7 children. The 3 year-old daughter, Myrlin, is a child not included in the Family Search list of Weibrecht children. I think this daughter likely died during the next decade.

I think the photo shown below of Theodore, Virgie, and 2 daughters may have been taken at about this time.

Next, we find the Weibrecht’s in the 1940 census. One more daughter was added to this family in 1932. Two sons were helping their father on his farm.

Theodore had his World War II draft card completed when the United States got involved in that war. This form says that Theodore was working for the WPA.

One more census entry can be viewed that includes Theodore and Virgie, the one taken in 1950. Three children were still living with their parents. Theodore was doing custom farming. Two daughters were working at the shoe factory in Perryville.

Theodore Weibrecht died in 1961 at the age of 79. His death certificate says he died at the Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville.

An obituary for Theodore was printed in the Perry County Republican.

A death record for Theodore is found in the books of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, which indicates that he likely maintained his membership in a Lutheran church throughout his life.

This photo of Virgie and her daughter, Clara, was taken at a later time in her life.

Virgie Weibrecht died in 1978 at the age of 85, too recently to view her death certificate. Virgie and Theodore are buried in separate cemeteries. Theodore is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Perryville. Virgie is buried in the Mt. Hope Catholic Cemetery, also in Perryville. She must have retained her Catholic church membership throughout her life.

Based on a quick look in our German Family Tree for others in Theodore’s Weibrecht family, it looks as if Theodore was not the only Weibrecht who married a Catholic bride.