Erick G. Holm (1853-1925)

HOLM

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/5/2022 at 23:29:46

Erick G. Holm
(May 21, 1853 – December 2, 1913)

It requires no little courage to sever all the connections which bind one to home and native land and go to a far distant country in search of fortune, depending there entirely upon one's own efforts for a livelihood and for all that one acquires. Strong hearts are needed for such an undertaking and willing hands must fight the battles of life. Mr. Holm is among the sons of Sweden, who, leaving the old world, have taken advantage of the opportunities of the new. He was born May 21, 1853, in Sweden, and spent part of his youth in that country and part in Norway. His education was obtained in the Norwegian tongue and he had to learn the English language after he arrived in America. He also learned the blacksmith's trade in Norway but there was little opportunity for business advancement and he resolved to test the truth of the favorable reports concerning possibilities in the United States. Accordingly, in 1880, he completed the long journey across the Atlantic and at once made his way across the country to Calhoun County, settling in Lake City, where he worked at his trade of blacksmithing for three years. At the end of that time Mr. Holm removed to Badger, Webster County, where he followed the same pursuit in the employ of others for six years and then purchased a blacksmith and repair shop which he conducted until 1889, when he returned to Calhoun County. Here he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Elm Grove Township, upon which he still resides. Here he erected a good home, broke and fenced his land and has carried forward the work of improvement and development until he now has a very valuable farm property. Fruit trees yield their products in season and shade trees add to the attractive appearance of the place. He raises good grades of stock and has a farm supplied with good barns and with all modern accessories and conveniences.
In Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa, Mr. Holm was united in marriage to Miss Mary Debourgh, a native of Rockford, Illinois, and a daughter of Daniel Debourgh, a native of Sweden and one of the early settlers of Illinois. About 1874 he came to Calhoun County, bringing with him his family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holm have been born four children: Ida, Josie. Wilmer G. and Arthur. In his political affiliations Mr. Holm is a Republican, giving an unfaltering support to the principles of the party since casting his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison and doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served as lodge treasurer. For twenty-one years he has been a resident of Iowa and has witnessed much of the progress of Calhoun County as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken its place among the leading counties of this great commonwealth. He has seen the prairies broken and towns and villages built and has shared in the work of promoting public progress and improvement. He came to this country empty handed but with a stout heart, and since he located in Calhoun County he has labored so energetically and with such determination that he has overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and advanced steadily to the goal of prosperity. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J.