Anderson, Erick 1827 - 1906

ANDERSON, HOLVERSON, HANSON, OPDAHL, THOMPSON, IVESON, THULIN, LARSON

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/15/2014 at 10:46:07

The name of the late Erick Anderson is closely connected with the early pioneer history of Winneshiek County, for he came here in 1850 and for the remainder of his life was connected with mercantile and agricultural pursuits, while he also held official positions of prominence. His memory is still fresh with his many friends and his name will go down as one who did much toward promoting advancement and general development. A native of Norway, Erick Anderson was born on January 20, 1827, and in 1839 immigrated with his parents to America, their first landing being made in Boston. They proceeded by rail and water to New York and thence by the Hudson river to Albany, and via the Erie canal to Buffalo, where they embarked on board a steamer for Chicago, Illinois. That city was then but a small town and there they located, remaining until 1845, when they removed to McHenry county, Illinois, where Mr. Anderson worked at various occupations. For the first four years he held the position of errand boy and then worked for one season as cabin boy on a steamer plying between Chicago and St. Joseph, Michigan. He was afterward employed in a newspaper office for two years and then entered a seminary at Beloit, Wisconsin, in order to improve his education, remaining there for one year. In 1847 Mr. Anderson removed to Muskego, Wisconsin, where he found employment as a compositor in the office of the Nordlyset (Northern Light), the first Norwegian paper published in the northwest. Mr. Anderson had the distinction of setting the type for the first issue. In 1848 he went to Madison, Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was employed as a clerk in a general store, and in 1850 he and his party made their advent in Winneshiek county, where he entered land in the southern part of Springfield township. However, he did not engage at once in its cultivation but accepted a position as clerk in a general store at Frankville and remained there two years. He then made his way to Ossian, where he established himself independently in the general merchandising business, and was so engaged for four years, at the end of which time he moved to his land, where he made his home until 1861, when he was elected to the position of sheriff of Winneshiek County. That he discharged his duties to the satisfaction of his constituents is evident from the fact that in 1862 he was reelected. At the expiration of his term he again moved to his farm, which contained two hundred and sixty-five acres, to the cultivation of which he gave his sole attention, making valuable improvements and erecting substantial buildings. As the years passed by he attained prosperity and his property enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most valuable in its district.

On November 6, 1851, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Holverson, who died about a year later. Of this union was born one daughter, Elizabeth A. Mr. Anderson was again married, the second union being with Miss Louisa Hanson, the ceremony taking place on July 15, 1856. Seven children were born of this union, Edgar, Albert, Henry, Lorenzo, William, Oscar, and Louisa. Mrs. Louisa Anderson passed away May 16, 1876, and on October 8, 1877. Mr. Anderson married Mrs. Mary (Opdahl) Thompson, by whom he had one son, C. Melvin, who now operates the home farm of one hundred and ninety-two acres on section 11, Springfield Township. Mrs. Mary Anderson is a daughter of Knud and Marit (Iveson) Opdahl, natives of Norway. They came to Winneshiek County in the early period of its history, the father engaging in agricultural pursuits for the remainder of his life upon the farm which Mrs. Anderson still owns. The father died at the age of sixty-nine years in March, 1875, his wife surviving until December 18, 1882.

Erick Anderson passed away on June 23, 1906, after an illness which lasted three months, having attained the age of seventy-nine years, five months and three days. Being one of the early pioneers of the county and a man active in its development, he enjoyed the good-will and confidence of all who knew him and his passing caused deep and widespread regret. Many of the older settlers still retain his memory, which they hold in veneration as that of a man who by his own efforts attained success—one who was as considerate of the interests of others as of his own promotion. Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Anderson always gave his support to worthy public enterprises and could ever be found in the front ranks of those who had at heart the public welfare. His son C. Melvin, who now operates the home farm, worthily follows in the footsteps of his father and has become recognized as one of the most progressive agriculturists of his section. He was married to Miss Josephine Thulin, of Burlington, Iowa, on December 28, 1909, she being a daughter of C. J. and Hannah (Larson) Thulin, natives of Sweden. Mr. Anderson is also a stockholder in the Nordness Creamery Company. He is prominent fraternally, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and -in politics supports the Democratic Party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He received an excellent education, being a graduate of the Decorah high school with the class of 1900 and from Purdue University in 1904 as mechanical engineer. He has ever remained a student of life and conditions, being also a discriminate reader. He takes loving care of his mother, who is now seventy-six years of age, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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