Ellen Elizabeth (Nelson Tarvestad) Erickson (1849-1929)

NELSON, TARVESTAD, ERICKSON, SKARHAUG, SWANSON, JACOBSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/19/2024 at 13:00:20

From Story City Herald February 21, 1929 (page 3)

MRS. ERICKSON AMONG FIRST NORSE SETTLERS

Well Known Woman Was Laid to Rest Here Feb. 6th

Mrs. E. K. Erickson Skarhaug (nee Ellen Nelson Tarvestad) was born near Lisbon, Kendall county, Ill., March 15, 1849, and died at Story City, Iowa, February 2nd, 1929, lacking a few weeks of being 80 years old.

She was baptized March 29, 1849, by Rev. E. Eielson, who was the first pastor to work among the early settlers in Kendall county, Illinois.

In 1856, then 7 years old, she came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson Tarvestad, to Story county, Iowa. The family settled on a farm two and one half miles northwest of Roland.

At the age of 15 years she was confirmed by Rev. N. Amlund of Story City.

Mrs. Erickson belonged to the real early Norwegian pioneers in America and also in this locality. Her mother came from Norway in 1838, 91 years ago, and Mrs. Erickson was one of the first Norwegian settlers in the northern part of Story county. The south part had been settled two years before, in 1854.

On July 15, 1873, at Ames, Iowa, she was united in marriage to E. K. Erickson Skarhaug. To this union eight children were born. Four of these have preceded her in death, namely, Nellie, Birdie, Inga and Sadie. Her husband died seven years ago, Feb. 9, 1922.

The four children who survive her are: Joseph of Kanawha, Mrs. Edith Swanson of Des Moines, and Mrs. Nellie Jacobson and Alma Erickson of Story City. She also leaves 12 grand children; also three brothers and two sisters, namely: Osmund and Elias Nelson of North Dakota, Nels Nelson of Story City, Mrs. Rebecca Johnson of Roland, and Caroline Nelson of Nevada. All the children were present at her bedside before she died.

The Erickson family lived on a farm north of Roland until 1897 they moved to Story City where they have lived the last 32 years.

Mrs. Erickson was for many years a member of the Salem church at Roland, and of late a member of the Bethel church, Story City. She had a big heart for missions. A few years ago she gave $5000 to foreign missions and recently a large sum to the improvement of Bethel church.

Her view of the church and its practice was somewhat different from others. Having been reared in the early church and seen it in its simplicity during pioneer days, she was opposed to all kinds of high ritualistic practice, and for the same reason, she thought a great deal of the layman's work in the church and encouraged it in every way.

But even tho she may have stretched her views as to the policy of the church, it may be well for us at the present time to heed the views of the old pioneers, as we may be in danger of going too far the other way.

I wish to thank her for her views and for what she did for the furtherance of the kingdom of God.

Wednesday, Feb. 5th, she was buried from the Bethel church, where her pastor, Rev. Paulsrud, officiated. A large number of relatives and friends were present to pay their respects to this old pioneer and neighbor. She was laid to rest beside her husband and four children in the Roland cemetery, where she will rest until the resurrection morn.

Gaylord, Ernest, Bert and Jordan Erickson of Kanawha; grandsons: Joseph Johnson and Nelius Nelson of Roland, nephews of Mrs. Erickson, acted as pallbearers.

--A friend of the family.