Persona

Berg, Emil George

1890-1939

Emil George Berg was born September 26, 1890, in Østre Toten (East Toten), Norway. He emigrated in 1907 at age 16 and lived for a few years in the United States before moving to Alberta in 1910. In 1911, George arrived in Cabri, Saskatchewan, where he homesteaded in the Butte Valley school district. He enlisted with the 209th Battalion in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, on April 12, 1916, but ultimately served with the 10th Battalion. He was wounded twice – once in Arleux, France, in April 1917, during which time he earned a medal for bravery after aiding an officer while wounded, and again at Amiens in August 1918. George returned to Norway in 1924 until 1926 but came back to Canada and married Ida Karoline Andresen on November 11, 1927, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Their son, Ingval George Berg, was born March 4, 1934. George was a director of the local Agriculture Improvement Association, a member of the Cabri Co-op Association and the United Farmers of Canada, and a staunch supporter of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation party. He was a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool delegate from 1933 until his death. He was also involved with the Cabri Brass Band. George died unexpectedly on May 14, 1939, of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 48. He was buried with full military honours in the soldiers’ plot of Hillcrest Cemetery in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.