Christian & Louise Eriksen

ERIKSEN CHRISTIANSEN HANSDATTER-HANSEN MADSEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/26/2010 at 21:06:17

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Christian and Louise Christiansen Eriksen
By Eva-Joy Johns

Christian Eriksen was born October 14, 1862, in Plejerup, Grevinge Parish, Holback County, Denmark, son of Lars Erksen, a mill owner in Frenderup, and Ane Dorthe Hansdatter-Hansen from Losserup, Denmark. Lars Eriksen was born March 30, 1834, in Atterup; he buried November 5, 1904, in Frenderup and is buried in Grevinge Parish. Ane Dorthe was born August 19, 1835, in Losserup, Udby Parish; she died July 27, 1916, Grevinge, and is buried in Grevinge Parish Churchyard.

Louise Christiansen was born July 27, 1864, Fodslette, Fodslette Parish, Svendbord County, Langeland, Denmark, daughter of Frederik Johansen Christiansen, carpenter, and Maren Sophie Madsen. Frederik Christiansen was born May 29, 1830, in Lindelse, Lindelse Parish, and died February 14, 1909, Hubbard, Nebraska. Maren Madsen was born February 6, (not the 7th as on tombstone), 1836 in Sondeenbroe, Magleby Parish, and died February 23, 1900 in Hubbard, Nebraska. They are buried in Danish Cemetery northwest of Hubbard, Nebraska.

Chris came to the United States, June 6, 1885, bound for Bresford, South Dakota, where an uncle lived. However, Beresford was not marked on the map so the agent in Denmark made his ticket out to Alton, Iowa. He recalled it took three weeks to come from Denmark to New York City. He had 20 cents on arrival in New York. Chris applied for naturalization papers on March 6, 1886, in Sioux City. HE sent for Louise six months after he arrived; they were married in Sioux City, Iowa, August 22, 1886.

They moved around the Moville farming area for awhile before purchasing 110 acres in Floyd Township, Woodbury County, near Lawton, February 28, 1901. Selling it November 18, 1907, they moved to Dakota County, Nebraska. When they were moving, during the winter, some of the older children stayed at the new farm to keep the house warm and cook while the rest of the family did the moving.

To his marriage were born nine children. Harry Richard born December 22, 1886, married Anna S Sorensen, March 19, 1913. They had six children: Harold, Louella, Francis, twins Harlan and Wayland, and Harry, Jr. Harry died March 3, 1962, in Inglewood, California.

Charles Theodore born November 14, 1888, married Anna Marie Schroeder June 18, 1914. They had four children: Melvin, Irene, Raymond and Ruby, who died as a small child. Charles died February 10, 1960, in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Alma Lorane born January 12, 1891, married Louis Wilkins, March 10, 1920. They had one daughter, Vera June, and they raised Ronald Eriksen, son of Louis Eriksen. Alma died May 21, 1965, in a Sioux City hospital.

Frederick Solphus, born July 28, 1894, married Jeannie Elizabeth Schroeder, February 14, 1914. They had five children: Amanda, Arthur, Dorothy, Josephine and Evelyn. Fred died March 26, 1948, in a Sioux City hospital.

Edward Christian, born February 3, 1896; married Esther Marie Jensen, December 22, 1920. They had four children: Leon, Shirley, Charlotte Ann, and Edward Kennard. Ed died December 31, 1953, in a Sioux City hospital.

Elizabeth Josephine, born October 24, 1897, married Alfred Thorne, March 23, 1920. They have two daughters: Darlene and Eva-Joy. Louis Wayland, born July 24, 1899, married 1-Karen Matilda Jensen, January 26, 1926, 2- Frances Sharp Bergeon, November 27, 1940. To his first marriage, three children were born. Delores Ann, Darrel and Ronald; to the second marriage one son was born: John. Louis died September 21, 1975, in a Sioux City hospital.

Tenna Sophia, born Mary 13, 1901, lived at home and cared for her mother after her father’s death. She married Theodore E Davis, February 23, 1946 (divorced). She passed away, December 1, 1964, at her home in Sioux City, Iowa.

Christian Varner ‘Jim’ was born January 27, 1903. Jim was nipped in the bud of life at the home of his parents, November 13, 1923, at the age of 20 years due to pneumonia following measles.

The Eriksen farm in Nebraska was located northwest of Homer. Finding the house not large enough to accommodate his growing children, he added a much-needed addition in 1911. Several dances were held at the farm; a Bowery dance floor used to be moved from place to place for neighborhood and entertainment. Mr. Eriksen belonged to the Danish Brotherhood and many Danish picnics were also held at their place. This large two story home was destroyed by fire, January 28, 1972.

The Eriksens retired and moved to Sioux City and resided at 3823 Fourth Avenue in the Morningside area, in about 1926. They were honored on their 50th anniversary, August 22, 1936, with a family celebration and on Sunday by members of Our Savior Lutheran Church, followed by a dance on Monday night.

Christian Eriksen died February 5, 1937 and Louise died six years later, February 12, 1943. They were buried in Olive Section of Graceland Park cemetery in Sioux City.