Martin Luther Oberg
Born: 23 Feb 1885
Born Where: Jamestown, NY
Died: 19 Mar 1919
Died Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
Spouse: none
Marriage Date: n/a
Married Where: n/a
Children: none
General info:
According to other family members Martin Luther Oberg (AKA Luther Martin Oberg) was a brilliant person and very successful as a young business man. At Jamestown High School (Class of 1904) he was in the Lyceum debate club, the glee club, and on the 2nd Basketball Team (left guard). (See picture to the right.)
His yearbook bio stated, "Luther Oberg was born near the top of one [of] our hills February 23, 1885. He considers the period in which he joined "04" one of the most trying of his life. He once held the position of teller in the Lyceum and was a member of the Ping Pong Club. The subject which he studies most and which is easiest for him, is his Sunday School lesson."
Apparently Martin Luther took an ocean cruise in 1913 to Norway. He was traveling with Bernt Moe as they were both listed on a returning ship passenger list (SS Kristianiafjord) going from Norway to NYC. They left 27 Aug 1913 and arrived in New York City on 09 Sep 1913. The trip, at some point, included a trip from Bergen, Norway to Newcastle, England. For the North Sea excursion he was aboard the Bergen Line ship, the SS Venus. The Venus was built in 1893 by C.S.Swan & Hunter, Wallsend for the Bergen Line (Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab). She was a 1,067 gross ton ship, length 230.7ft x beam 31.2ft x depth 11.8ft, one funnel, two masts, single screw and a speed of 13.5 knots. (See picture below.)
image: Martin Luther Oberg aboard the SS Venus with unknown friends about 1913
Martin Luther Oberg (third from the left, bow tie) aboard the SS Venus with unknown friends about 1913.
One of the two other fellows may be Bernt Moe. (Picture courtesy of Ward Romer)
Early on he worked as a salesman for the Artmetal Co. of Jamestown, NY. In 1918 he was a branch engineer for the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in Buffalo, NY. He died very young (at 35) of pneumonia in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the time of his death he was apparently working for or doing business with the Keyless Lock Company of Indianaplois (made post office boxes and equipment) as a draftsman. He was a member of the Swedish M. E. Church and the Masonic Order of Jamestown, NY.
1880 Census: NA
1890 Census: NA
1900 Census: 126 (82) Colfax Street, Jamestown, NY
1910 Census: Lodger at 1004 Lasalle Ave., Chicago, IL. Listed as a sheet metal salesman.
1913 Ship Passenger List: 82 Colfax Street, Jamestown, NY
1918 WWI Draft Registration: 707 Lafayette Ave., Buffalo, NY. Listed as a branch engineer.
1919 Death Record - last residence: 1622 College Ave., Indianapolis, IN
image: Martin Luther Oberg - about 1913
Martin Luther Oberg - about 1913
(Picture courtesy of Margie Oberg Walton)

image: Luther Oberg played on the JHS 2nd Baketball Team in 1904
Luther Oberg played on the JHS 2nd Baketball Team in 1904
(Picture from 1904 Jamestown High School yearbook)
Gravesite: Lake View Cemetery, Jamestown, NY - Lot No.: SEP 7; Section: Linwood; Grave: 3 north end