Mike Erickson (1836-1910)

ERICKSON, WOSTER, HANSON, THOMPSON, LARSON, CHRISTMAN, TWEDT

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/30/2010 at 01:54:34

Roland Record
28 July 1910

Roland Pioneer Passes To Rest

Mike Erickson, Who Has Been Sick for Six Months, Died Wednesday Evening. Funeral to be Held From Bergen Church Sunday Afternoon

Mike Erickson, one of he early pioneers of Howard township, and one of the respected citizens of Roland, died at his home here last night at ten o'clock after having been sick in bed for nineteen weeks. The funeral services will be held from Bergen church at 3:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, after which the remains will be laid to rest in the Roland cemetery. The obituary will be published in full next week.

Roland Record
4 August 1910

Mike Erickson Funeral Held

One of the Largest Funerals Ever Held in Roland was Held Last Sunday When Mike Erickson, One of The First Settlers of Howard Township Was Buried

[article accompanied by photograph of Mike Erickson]

Mike Erickson was born in Rennese, Hauske Prestegjaeld, Ryfylke, Norway, Europe, on November 11, 1836, his parents being Jacob and Ellen Erickson. In 1849 he came with his parents across the Atlantic and settled with them on a farm near Lisbon, Ill., where they lived until 1856, when they drove overland to Iowa with a number of others, who sought homes on the practically unknown prairies. There were forty wagons in the company, all teams being oxen with the exception of two teams of horses, one of which belonged to the senior Mr. Erickson. As stated in these columns a short time ago, Jonas Duea who was buried about three weeks ago was also among the number who came West to seek their fortunes. They arrived at their destination on the fourteenth of June and at once proceeded to break the sod on which to raise a crop. The Erickson family bought the land from the government upon which now the greater part of Roland is built, their house being built just back of where the S. J. Michaelson store now stands, nearly all of the citizens of Roland who can remember the house, as it is only a few years since it was torn down. John Twedt and his estimable wife purchased the lot last summer and have now built a modern residence thereon and are now living on the old homestead where Mrs. Twedt spent the first few years in Iowa.

In the fall of 1856 Mr. Erickson was married to Miss Seri Woster, to whom four children were born, two of whom died while young, the others being Mrs. O. T. Hanson, who lives just north of town, and Mrs. Henry Thompson, who died about 25 years ago. Mr. Erickson purchased a farm directly north of his father's place and built a home where he with his family lived until 1863 when his wife died. In 1866 he was again married to a sister of his first wife, Miss Martha Woster who survives him. To this union five children were born, three of whom are still living. They are Olaf Erickson, who has spent the past years in New Mexico, Jacob Erickson, who has made his home with his parents here and Mrs. James Larson also of this place.

In the fall of 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Erickson moved to Roland, having concluded to give up the active work on the farm, having built a large residence in the east part of town. Here they lived in quiet contentment until last winter when Mr. Erickson was taken seriously ill with an attack of paralysis from which he partially recovered but was soon taken worse again and was bedridden for nineteen weeks before Death came to his relief on Wednesday evening, July 27, 1910, surrounded by his immediate family. He was 73 years, 8 months and 19 days when called to the Great Beyond. Besides his children he leaves 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Chas. Christman and Mrs. John Twedt, and numerous other relatives and friends to mourn his death.

Mr. Erickson was a man respected by all, and anyone dealing with him always found him honest in every way. He was a man of few words and many thoughts but when he spoke, his meaning was always clear and to the point. His advice was sought by many and it was carefully given. When yet a young man he with his father helped organize the St. Petri congregation near Story City, and when steps were taken to organize the Bergen congregation at this place, he was among the first to assist in that undertaking and has supported the same liberally until his death. In his death another of the pioneers is gone, whose number is fast decreasing, but whose memory we all cherish for all they did in developing this section of the country and building it up to its present status.

The funeral services were held from Bergen church on Sunday afternoon, Rev. Smedal officiating. The church was packed to the utmost and several hundred were obliged to remain outside, it being one of the largest funerals ever held here. After the funeral services at the church the remains were laid to rest in the Roland cemetery. The numerous friends of the bereaved family extend to them their sincere sympathy in the hour of their sorrow.