Andrew Ericson

ERICSON ARIKSSON HANSSON JONSDOTTER ERSDOTTER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/20/2010 at 20:43:18

Woodbury County History 1984

Andrew and Anna Ericson
By Tom L Ericson

Andrew Ericson, also known as Loman Anders Ariksson in his native country of Sweden, was born September 14, 1885, in Boda Kyrkby, province of Dalarna, Sweden. He was the eighth of a family of ten children born to Loman Erik Hansson and his wife, Hustrun Anna Jonsdotter. Both were born at Boda Kyrkby, Loman Erik on June 4, 1848, and Hustrun Anna on June 16, 1846. Of the ten children, only Andrew and a sister, Kerstin, migrated to North America.

Andrew migrated to America, August 28, 1912. The passage contract of Canadian Pacific Steamship Line on the Empress of Britain read: ‘The journey takes place from Gothenburg the 4 September 1912 by steamer, steerage passage to Grimsby or Hull in England, thence within 48 hours after having passed the customs, to Liverpool, within twelve days after arrival there, by ocean steamer steerage passage to Quebec. From Quebec the imigrant will be forwarded, immediately after having passed the customs and compiled with other formalities, by rail 3rd class to Vermillion, SD.’ The passage fare from Gothenburg to Vermillion was 275 Kroner. He arrived in Vermillion, September 16, 1912, and worked as a carpenter for 25 cents per hour. He worked in South Dakota until moving to Sioux City, Iowa in 1915, where he earned 50 cents per hour. He continued carpentry, becoming a skilled craftsman.

Anna Ericson, known as Anna Ersdotter in her native country of Sweden, was born December 7, 1888, in Boda Kyrkby, province of Dalarna, Sweden, the oldest of three children born to Nygards Erik Persson and his wife, Nygards Kerstin Ersdotter. Her father was born March 2, 1860, in Rattvik, Sweden, and her mother was born January 25, 1867, in Boda Kyrkby, Sweden. Anna’s mother died March 27, 1899, and her father remarried to Anna Hansson. They had seven children. Of the ten children, Anna, Andrew and Jonas migrated to North America. Anna left Rattvik, July 28, 1912, sailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, August 2, 1912, steerage passage to England, proceeded to Southampton by rail 3rd class, then on the White Star Line steamer S S Olympic, steerage passage to New York. Passage fare Gothenburg to New York was 181 Kroner. She arrived in New York, August 15, 1912, and procceded to Vermilion, South Dakota, arriving August 18. She began her first job at East Hall (South Dakota University) as a waitress, September 16, 1912. This, coincidentally, was the same day, Andrew arrived in Vermillion. She later proceeded to Sioux City, Iowa, where she began her first job as domestic help in January 1914.

Andrew and Anna were married in Sioux City, Iowa, November 21, 1914, at Augustana Lutheran Church. They lived at 2007 Wall Street, where three children, Bertil, Tom and Astrid, were born. They had four children: Bertil Eric, born June 12, 1915; Tom Lennart, born July 3, 1916; Astrid Barbara, born November 28, 1917; and Dorothy May, born June 5, 1923, at 1516 24th Street, a new home built in September 1919.

Andrew received his Certificate of Naturalization on April 14th, 1923. Anna received her Certificate of Naturalization on May 14, 1929. Andrew died May 7, 1955. Anna married again to Andrew Meleen, of Vermillion, South Dakota, August 19, 1961. Mr Meleen died February 2, 1966. After his death, Anna had her name legally changed to Ericson.

Bertil married Margaret Virginia Lyren, December 8, 1945, in Sioux City. Margaret was born January 12, 1917, in Sioux City. Both graduated from Central High School, Bertil in January 1933 and Margaret, in January 1935. He was employed at Albertson’s Machine Tool Company, entered the US Army in 1941, serving in the European theater of World War II, and was discharged form the service in 1945. He attended Edwards’ Busines School and was employed by Wincharger Corporation, Nystrom Electric Company and again at Albertson’s, retiring form there in 1978 as Superintendent of the Tool Room. Bertil and Margaret had two children, born in Sioux City. Paul Andrew, born March 5, 1947; and Lorraine Ann, born May 13, 1950. Paul married Patricia Ann Stabile, December 3, 1966, and they had two children: Greta Ann, born Febraury 16, 1971; and Veronica Ingrid, born June 23, 1973. This marriage terminated in divorce. Paul was remarried terminated in divorce. Paul was remarried on June 25, 1976, to Pamela Streeter in Sioux City, Iowa. Lorraine married Patrick J Myers on september 5, 1970. Their children were born in Sioux City, the first, Matthew Ericson, born June 10, 1975, and the second, Kathryn Allison, born June 20, 1977.

Tom Ericson married Margaret Louise Murphey, March 8, 1943, in Sioux City. Margaret was born July 8, 1918, in Sioux City. Both graduated from Central High School, Tom in January of 1934 and Margaret in June 1935. He was employed at the Milwaukee Railroad at the time he entered the Army in the fall of 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater of World War II and was discharged from the service in 1945. He returned to the Milwaukee Railroad, leaving their employment for the life insurance field in 1958. While with the Milwaukee, he established a travel agency (Travel Unlimited of Sioux City ( in partnership with his wife and her mother, Mrs E A Murphey. The travel agency was sold in 1980 and he and his wife retired. Tom and Margaret had three chidlren, all daughters, born in Sioux City.
Jane Marie was born November 19, 1946. She married William A Petersen, August 12, 1967, and a son, Kirk Thomas, was born of this marriage on April 15, 1970, in Omaha, Nebraska. This marriage terminated in divorce. Jane was remarried to Delwyn Olivier on Novermber 21, 1981, and they established a home in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Suzanne was born March 19, 1949. She married Douglas R Strohbeen on June 6, 1971. Their children, all born in Sioux City, were: Michael Douglas, born December 25, 1975; Andrew Thomas, born June 14, 1977; and Kristin Suzanne, born May 2, 1980. The Strohbeens established their home in Sioux City.
Virginia Mae was born on August 5, 1952, and is single. She is a teacher in the Sioux City Public Schools and established a home in Sioux City.
Astrid married Milton Willard Alingh, June 29, 1946, in Sioux City. Astrid graduated from Central High School and Milton from East High School in Sioux City. Milton was a cement finisher and worked in various areas of the United States. He died March 25, 1972, at Saratoga Springs, New York, and is buried in Sioux City. Astrid and Milton had four children: Mary J, born October 12, 1947 in Sioux City; Ralph Roy, born May 23, 1950 in Glendale, California; Michael Willard, born August 19, 1952 in Riverdale, North Dakota; and Andrew James, born August 28, 1955 in Yankton, South Daktoa. Only one son married. Andrew and Jeanne E Grauer were married September 2, 1978, and have their home in Ohio. After the death of Milton, Astrid married Taylor Gaffga, October 23, 1973. HE died June 2, 1982, and is buried in Sioux City.
Dorothy married Karl Christopher Dahl, May 14, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. Karl was born May 17, 1918, in Sioux City. Dorothy graduated from Central High School and Karl form East High School in Sioux City. They established their home in Bellingham, Waashington, where Karl was employed at Georgia Pacific Mills, from which he retired in 1982. They had four children, all born in Bellingham: Karl Edward born September 23, 1946; Janice Lorraine born November 16, 1947; Joe Eric born February 2, 1954; and Ann Ellen born September 17, 1958.