Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Erickson, Peter E 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 6:00 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

PETER E. ERICKSON.

When President Lincoln issued his call for troops to aid in defense of the 
Union, men started for the front from the workshop, the field, the office and 
the store. Every walk of life was represented, and the united efforts of these 
brave men resulted in placing the Union on a firmer basis than ever before. 
Mr. Erickson was one who, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, offered his 
services to his adopted country and followed the starry banner until it was 
victoriously planted in the capital of the southern Confederacy.

He is a native of the land of the Midnight Sun, his birth having occurred in 
Bergen, Norway, March 10, 1844. His parents were Mads and Sarah (Lee) 
Erickson. The father was born in Nordfjord, Norway, on the 1st of January, 
1815, and his father was Erick Erickson. The former was connected with the 
mercantile interests in Bergen, being foreman in a wholesale store there. He 
was also the proprietor of a brewery. His wife, Sarah Lee, was a daughter of 
Peter Lee, who served as a soldier in the war between Sweden and Norway. While 
still residing in the old country Mads Erickson and his wife became the 
parents of the following children: Peter E., Susan E., Andrew M., Sophia and 
Eli. All of the children came to America. Mr. Erickson continued to reside in 
Bergen for many years, but in 1890 crossed the Atlantic in order to live with 
his children, who had located here. He was a representative and enterprising 
business man and a good citizen, and he and his wife were consistent members 
of the Lutheran church. He died in Chicago, at an advanced age.

Peter Emil Erickson, the subject of this review, obtained a good education in 
the schools of Bergen and in early life worked in his father's brewery. In 
1860, when about sixteen years of age, he crossed the briny deep to the New 
World, sailing from Bergen to Quebec, where he landed after a voyage of twenty-
one days, which was considered very quick time. He had been a passenger on the 
good ship Norge, under the command of Captain Jetmonson, reaching Quebec in 
the latter part of May. He immediately proceeded by rail to Chicago and thence 
to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he lived with his uncle, I. C. Alested, a farmer. 
While there he attended school for three months to learn the English language. 
Subsequently he engaged in farming and the following spring went to Chicago. 
After sailing upon the Great Lakes for a short time he removed to Morris, 
Illinois, and in that locality was employed at farm labor.

In the meantime hostilities between the north and south had been continued 
until the country was precipitated into civil war, and on the 1st of March, 
1862, Mr. Erickson responded to the call for aid, enlisting at Morris as a 
private of Company H, Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, under the command of 
Captain McClenehan. He was to serve for three years or during the war and at 
the close of the struggle he was honorably discharged; but he, however, re-
enlisted as a veteran at Hebron, Mississippi, in the spring of 1864. After the 
surrender of Lee and hostilities were over, he received an honorable discharge 
and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. The regiment, however, was 
disbanded at Chicago, in 1865. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg 
Landing, the siege of Vicksburg and was in the Atlanta campaign, being under 
fire for four months. He was also with General Sherman on his celebrated march 
to the sea. While at Jackson, Mississippi, where the regiment lost heavily, he 
was taken prisoner, but was soon released and took part in the march to 
Washington and the grand review in the capital city. He participated in many 
hard-fought battles and received slight wounds and cuts in his clothing, but 
was not seriously injured. Ever found at his post of duty, he loyally defended 
the old flag and throughout the days of peace he has been as true to his 
country as when he wore the blue.

When the war was ended Mr. Erickson returned to Wisconsin to see his uncle and 
then came to Morris, Illinois, where he engaged in farm labor. In 1867 he 
rented land in Greenville township, near Gardner, and began farming on his own 
account. On the 30th of May, 1869, at Gardner, he married Celia M. Olsen, who 
was born in Bergen, Norway, July 15, 1849, a daughter of Neils and Susan 
(Olsen) Olsen. Her father was a merchant of Bergen and in 1858 came to the 
United States, first establishing his home in Wisconsin, whence he came to 
Illinois in the early '60s. He then located in Morris, where he followed 
various business pursuits. He was a member of the Lutheran church and lived to 
an advanced age. In his later life he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
wild land in Greenville township, placed it under a high state of cultivation 
and extended the boundaries of his farm by the purchase of forty acres 
additional. His well directed labors, careful management and enterprise 
enabled him to work his way steadily upward and he became one of the well-to-
do farmers of the community. During the civil war he served for three years 
with the Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, and previous to that time responded to 
the call for three-months men. On one occasion he was injured by being thrown 
from a horse, and was sent to Chicago, where he served with the invalid corps 
engaged in guarding prisoners. No land has ever furnished more loyal citizens 
proportionally to this republic than Norway, and among this number may be 
classed Mr. Olsen, who was a faithful defender of the Union cause. His 
children were Ole, Ben, Celia and Josephine.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Erickson located on a farm in Greenfield 
township, Grundy county, but afterward removed to Montgomery county, Iowa, 
where he purchased eighty acres of wild land, which he transformed into a good 
farm, erecting substantial buildings and making other improvements. After four 
years, however, he sold that property and removed to Kearney county, Nebraska, 
where he took up his homestead claim, residing thereon for two years. On the 
expiration of that period he returned to Greenfield township, Grundy county, 
Illinois, where he rented land until 1890, when he purchased his present farm, 
comprising one hundred and twenty acres. But few improvements had been made at 
that time, and there were no buildings or trees, but his efforts have wrought 
great changes and he now has a very desirable country home. The residence is 
neat and pleasant, good barns and outbuildings furnish shelter for grain and 
stock and the latest improved machinery is used in the cultivation of the 
fields.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Erickson has been blessed with the following 
children: Neils E., Severn E., Susan J., John, Andrew, Emil, Eliza, Cornelius 
and Sarah. Two others, Sarah and Martin, died in early childhood. In his 
political views Mr. Erickson is a Republican and in religious faith he is a 
Lutheran. He belongs to Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., of Gardner, and among his 
army comrades delights in recalling reminiscences of the old days around the 
camp fires upon the tented fields. He deserves great credit for the success he 
has gained in life, for he started out empty-handed and has worked his way 
steadily upward, overcoming many obstacles and difficulties. He is now 
numbered among the substantial farmers of Grundy county, and as such is well 
known to the residents of this section of the state.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p664-667

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