Ericson, Adelaide (Mrs. Charles A.) 1860-1941

ERICSON, ANDERTON

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 10/8/2016 at 15:15:44

Source: Hawarden Independent (5-22-1941)

Born: March 16, 1860
Died: 1941

Mrs. Charles August Ericson, 81, a pioneer resident of Union County, passed away at her home in Hawarden at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon following an illness of three months.

Funeral services were held at the home at 1:30, and at the Baptist Church at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon with the Reverend Ewing Holland in charge. James Squier sang two solos. Interment was made in Grace Hill Cemetery.

Adelaide Maria Anderton, second daughter of Mary Ann and Charles Anderton, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 16, 1860. Just at this time the storm clouds were gathering in this new land. The question of slavery was on every tongue and there were rumblings of war in the distance so Adelaide’s father thought it was best to go to Canada with his wife and babies, for it was under the protection of their old mother country, England. Shortly after their arrival in Canada the war broke out in all its fury.

Later they moved back to Milwaukee living there until 1874. Heeding the call to go westward, Mr. Anderton, together with his family, started out in a covered wagon and arrived in Dakota territory in May, 1874. They settled on a farm near what is now known as Alcester. They later moved onto the Lind place, located one mile east of the Big Springs Church. This was the center of many tales of pioneer life and a stopping place for the Sioux City-Sioux Falls stage coach. Here Adelaide and her sisters served meals to passengers and the home was always open to weary travelers. School was also held in a lean-to at the home. It was here also that the dreaded grasshopper days were endured.

She was united in marriage with Charles August Ericson September 21, 1877 at Elk Point. They immediately moved onto the farm, seven miles southwest of Hawarden, which her husband had homesteaded. For seven years they lived in a log house, then Mr. Ericson built a new house. In 1909, they moved to Hawarden and she made her home here continuously until death called her.

She lost her husband September 3, 1923, and one son Jalmer passed away in November, 1937. She is survived by five children: Arnold of Isanti, Minnesota; Albert of Lake Wilson, Minnesota; Ted of Big Springs; and Mabel Leafstedt and Eldon of Hawarden. There are 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. August Larson of Hawarden; Mrs. Clarence Waterbury of Akron, and Mrs. Harvey Cox of Albany, Oregon, and two brothers, C.F. Anderton of Big Springs and A.J. Anderson of Big Springs.

She was a true pioneer mother of the old school which was a hard but exacting one and she learned her lessons well. No sacrifice was too great for her to make when it concerned members of her family or friends. She was the happiest when in her home doing for loved ones.

In her youth she was converted and baptized, joining the Big Springs Baptist Church, of which she was a member until her death. She was a devoted member of the Bible Class of the Hawarden Baptist Church, which was a source of great strength to her, and also a member of the Mothers’ Club of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ericson and Mrs. Richard Peterson of Lake Wilson, Minnesota; Arnold Ericson of Isanti, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. William Winterlin of Sioux City; A.M. Ericson of Princeton, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Arlington Ericson of Sanborn; Mr. and Mrs. Don Leafstedt and Miss Hulda Ericson of Sioux Falls, Mrs. Ernest Elts of Valley Springs , South Dakota, and Mrs. Milford Anderton of Sibley