IAGenWeb Project - Clayton co.


Henry Erickson

Henry Erickson has been a resident of Iowa from the time of his birth and while he is of the valiant type of loyal and progressive American citizenship he has not failed to mark his appreciation of the traditions and his history of the land of his ancestors and exemplifies in his personality the sterling integrity and the constructive energy that have made the Scandinavian element of citizenship so influential and valued a factor in connection with the social and industrial development of the greater western portion of our national domain. He takes just pride in being a scion of one of the honored pioneer families of Clayton county and here he is one of the successful farmers and substantial and honored citizens of Marion township, liberal and loyal as a citizen and influential in public affairs of a local order. He was born in Marion township, on the 14th of December, 1864, and is a son of Peter and Barbara Erickson, both natives of Norway. Peter Erickson was reared and educated in his native land and was a young man when, in 1854, he immigrated to America and established his residence in the State of Wisconsin. There he remained until 1859, when he came with his family to Clayton county and established a home on one of the pioneer farms of Marion township. Substantial success attended his indefatigable labors as an agriculturist and stock-grower and he still continues his association with farm industry, being now one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Grand Meadow township. He is a Republican in politics and both he and his wife are earnest communicants of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Of their seven children the first, Erick, died young; Louis is a resident of the State of Montana and the subject of this sketch was the third child; Samuel and Benjamin are successful farmers in Grand Meadow township; Albert is deceased; and Emma remains at the parental home. Henry Erickson did not fail to profit duly by the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native county and he thereafter continued his association with the work and management of his father's farm until he had attained to the age of twenty-four years. He then went to Lyon county, this state, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and where he continued his residence for the ensuing four years. He then sold the property and returned to Clayton county, where he purchased his present excellent farm, on section 12, Marion township, the place comprising one hundred and forty-seven acres of most fertile land and the improvements on the same being of modern order. In connection with diversified agriculture Mr. Erickson gives special attention to the raising of Poland-China and Chester White swine, and in all of his activities he has shown the spirit of thrift and progressiveness. He has given his ready support to measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community and has been called upon to service in local offices of public trust. He held the office of township trustee for seven years and that of township clerk for eight years, besides which he has served as school director of his district. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he and his family hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. His home receives its mail service on rural route No.1 from the village of Postville. On the 18th of September, 1889, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Erickson to Miss Josephine Nelson, who was born April 26, 1870, in Marion township, this county, and concerning their children the following brief data are given in conclusion of this review: Nora in 1915 was a student in one of the leading conservatories of the city of Chicago, where she is studying dramatic art and preparing herself for a stage career, her talent in this line being pronounced exceptional; Emily is the wife of Louis Amendson, of Grand Meadow township; Gertrude is the wife of Henry Larson, of that township; and the five children who remain members of the home circle are Mabel, Agnes, Nettie, Peter and Harriet.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; pg. 112-114
-submitted by S. Ferrall

 

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