Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Eriksson, August 1854 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 10, 2007, 1:04 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

AUGUST ERIKSSON. The results of unflagging perseverance, prudent economy and 
investment, and good habits, probably find no better exponent in the city of 
Joliet than in the above-named gentleman, whose portrait is presented on the 
opposite page, and who is the proprietor of a fine stone quarry, being also 
engaged in contracting and building. The Eriksson stone quarry is located at 
the foot of Bowen Avenue on South Richard Street, and has a four hundred foot 
face; flagging stone from two to ten inches in thickness is gotten out, 
seventeen hundred carloads having been cut in the past year, and the best 
steam appliances being used in the quarry. Mr. Eriksson was born in Sweden, 
January 7, 1854, was reared upon a farm, and came to America in 1876, without 
a trade upon which to depend, but full of pluck and energy. His first place of 
abode was Des Moines, Iowa, where he remained about three years, after which 
he returned to his native land. Having already with his own empty hands made a 
start in life, he embarked in business, but in April, 1881, decided to return 
to America. Crossing the Atlantic, he traveled westward to Joliet, Ill., where 
he began working for Sanger & Moody, soon getting into mason's work, but being 
a non-Union man, he was obliged to stop working, and he was thus forced into 
contracting. His principal contract was a three-story business block which he 
put up in 1882. The first large contract of Mr. Eriksson was with George H. 
Munroe for the Munroe Block, and the second for a Catholic school at Lemont; 
the next large contract was for the Lombart and Bishop Wire Mill, and in 1883 
he put up a block for Ed S. Munroe. In December, 1883, he bought the stone 
quarry described above, which in connection with his building, gives 
occupation to from fifty to one hundred men at different seasons of the year. 
In the summers of 1888 and 1889 he contracted for the office building and for 
the Fox plant for the Illinois Steel Company, the latter a $22,000 job, and 
also the Atheneum Building. He now has the contract for the stone work for the 
new Masonic Temple and the new Presbyterian Church. Besides the business 
enterprises mentioned, Mr. Eriksson is also building up a fine farm, having in 
the fall of 1887 bought twenty-five hundred acres in Greeley County, Kan. Its 
improvement was begun in the spring of 1888, and during the two years that 
have passed seven hundred acres have been placed under cultivation. He also 
builds and sells houses. All his worldly possessions, with the exception of 
$2,000 received by him three years since, have been earned by his own 
exertions and saved by his prudence. Few, if any, men of his years can show so 
good a record financially speaking, or have a higher standing among their 
fellow-men for manly character and upright habits. In the winter of 1882, Mr. 
Eriksson paid a second visit to Europe, and in 1885 spent the Christmas 
holidays in his native land, accompanied on this occasion by his family. He is 
a stockholder in the Borrowers' and Investors' Association, of which he was 
one of the organizers and is now a Director. His vote is always given to the 
Republican candidates, as he is a firm believer in the principles of that 
party. He and his wife belong to the First Lutheran Church. Mr. Eriksson found 
a worthy companion and helpmate in Miss Anna Christine Anderson, a native of 
Sweden, with whom he was united in marriage in Chicago, December 6, 1881, the 
ceremony being performed by the Rev. C. B. L. Boman. Her wise oversight of 
household affairs, her intelligent mind and pleasing disposition make the home 
a pleasant one. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of four 
children, the three now living forming a bright and interesting group. They 
are named respectively: Frank A., David Alfred and Carl Antonias. The deceased 
child, who was the second born, bore the name of David Abiel.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/eriksson591gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 4.7 Kb