Erick O. Wesley

WESLEY, CHRISTENSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/5/2015 at 20:54:38

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

Erick O. Wesley, a large property owner of Sioux City and formerly a prominent contractor, owes his success in business life to the sterling traits of character which he inherited from his Scandinavian ancestors and further developed. For many years his name has also figured conspicuously in civic affairs. His birth occurred in Story County, Iowa, in June, 1863, and his parents, Hogan and Anna Wesley, were natives of Norway. In 1857 they made the voyage to the United States and established their new home in Illinois. In that state the father followed agricultural pursuits until 1861, when he came to Iowa and purchased land in Story County, developing one of the fine farms of that locality. Subsequently he settled in the Vermillion district of South Dakota and there engaged in farming; for five or six years he lived in Vermillion and for a time operated a hotel there. Subsequently he removed to Union County, South Dakota, where he died in 1881. He was long survived by the mother, who passed away in 1915.

Mr. Wesley was reared in Union County, South Dakota, and attended the public schools of Vermillion, continuing his studies in Webb City, Iowa. He remained at home until his father’s death and in 1882 came to Sioux City, when a young man of nineteen years. Later he entered the contracting field, specializing in railroad grading and did much work of that character in Illinois and Iowa. He attained to a position of leadership, owing to his thoroughness and reliability in the execution of contracts, and built up a large business. He retired in 1906 and devoted his attention to the supervision of his investments for some time. He has considerable residence property in Sioux City, which he rents, and also owns valuable farm land in Union County, receiving a good income from his holdings.

In November, 1888, Mr. Wesley married Miss Ellen Christenson and they have one son, Charles, who was born in September, 1891, and is a well known civil engineer of Sioux City. Mr. Wesley is a Lutheran in religious faith and his political allegiance is given to the Republican Party. His connection with public affairs constitutes an important chapter in his life history. His first office was that of street commissioner, which he filled for several years, and during that period many improvements were made in the city thorough-fares. In 1910 he was chosen a member of the city council and served for six years. He was recalled to that office in 1922and in the spring of 1924 was reelected. His influence is given to the cause which he believes to be just and to the solution of all municipal problems he applies the mature judgment of a practical business man, actuated by the sole motive of honest and efficient expenditure of the citizens’ money. Mr. Wesley belongs to the Commercial Club and along fraternal lines he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. With a keen sense of life’s duties and responsibility and unfailing regard for the rights and privileges of others, he has won and retained a high place in public esteem and his labors have been resultant and beneficial.