C O Erickson

ERICKSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 13:03:33

C O Erickson is one of the prominent members of the Swedish colony in Madrid. Combined in him are the sturdy qualities of his native race with the business ability and aggressive tendencies of the American character. He is at present a member of the firm of Erickson Brothers, who are engaged in stone and cement work and who are very propserous in their commercial affaris. In their plant at Marid are manufactured work blocks, posts, columns and many other stone and cement ornament and building materials.
Mr Erickson was born in Sweden in 1874 and is a son of Eric and Louise (Nelson) Anderson, natives of Sweden and still residents of that country. Of their children, two died in infancy and ther remaining are: C O of this review, Franz who is connected with his older brother in the management of the firm of Erickson Brothers, Axel of Minneapolis, Mrs Hilda Olson of Washington, Mrs Hannah Peterson of Sweden, Mrs Hilma Carlson of Washington, and Mary, Ida and Alice of Sweden.
C O Erickson spent his boyhood under the care of his paresnts, who early instilled into him a proper valuation of the qualities of thrift, industry and energy. In the acquirement of his education he attended country school. When a young man of nineteen he became more and more convinced that the opportunities which his native country held out to him did not permit him to gain that independence which he desired. He therefore turned his eyes to the western hemisphere and in 1893 came to America. He settled in Madrid, Iowa, and there he has since been engaged in mason and cement work. He is very successful as a contactor and has handled some important deals. He is a member of the firm of Erickson Brothers, his partner being his borhter Franz, and they execute stone and cement work. Mr Erickson enjoys a high reputation in business circles and has reached financial independence through his own efforts, so that he may truly be styled a self made man. He is highly esteemed by all who know him and in financial and commercial circles enjoys the greatest confidence.
In 1898 C O Erickson married Miss Nellie Sell, who was born in Douglas township in August 1873. Her parents were C G and Johanna ( Johnson) Sell, natives of Sweden who in 1871 came to Douglas township and settled on a farm west of Madrid. The father was a prosperous up to date agriculturist and after a long and successful career passed away in Madrid, February 9, 1898. His widow survived him until July 1913. Of their seven children the six older were borb in Sweden and the youngest in Boone county. Four-- Sophia, Carolina, Louise and Charles are deceased. The living are: Tilda, who married Jacob M Carlson, supervisor of Boone county residing in Madrid, Mrs Hulda Hoover, also of that city, and Mrs Nellie Erickson. Mr and Mrs Erickson have two children: Roy born in 1900 who is attending public school and Harold whose birth occurred in 1909.
Mr and Mrs Erickson are members of the Swedish Mission church. Politically he is a republican but he has never been connected with public affairs, preferring to fulfil his citizien's duties privately. He is interested in the growth and progress of his city and gives valuable support to enterprises which are undertaken in the interest of the general welfare. Mr and Mrs Erickson reside in a handsome home which they make a hospitable meeting place for their many friends. Success has come to him in answer to his ambition and initiative, and the prosperity which he enjoys is merited by years of close application and incessant industry.

1914 Boone County History Book