Peter E. Erickson Biography


	This biography appears on page 1031 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and 
	was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				PETER E. ERICKSON. 

	Although he has attained the age of three score years and ten 
Peter E. Erickson, a farmer and stockraiser residing on section 1, 
Garfield township, is still an active factor in the world's work. He 
was born in Sweden in 1844 and in 1868 emigrated to America. His father 
passed away when he was but twelve years of age and his mother died in 
Sweden several years later. 

	After coming to the United States Peter E. Erickson made his way 
to Illinois, where he lived for some time, but later went to Michigan, 
working there on the construction of a railroad. In 1872 he removed to 
Clay county, South Dakota, and was there employed on the building of a 
railroad. In September, 1872, he filed on a claim and began to develop 
and improve his place. He had several bad years on account of the 
plague of grasshoppers but did not allow himself to become discouraged 
and when the crops failed utterly supported his family by working upon 
the railroad during the winter months. His faith in the future of the 
state has been justified and he is now in comfortable financial 
circumstances and derives a good annual income from his work as a 
farmer and stockraiser. His place is well improved and the excellent 
condition of the buildings and the well kept fences testify to the 
enterprises and industry of Mr. Erickson. He also owns four hundred 
acres of farm land in Colorado and twenty thousand shares in gold mines 
in the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

	Mr. Erickson was married in 1881 to Miss Delia Borglund, who was 
born in Sweden, as were her parents. The family eventually became 
residents of Clay county, South Dakota, where the father, Michael 
Borglund, took up a homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have become the 
parents of three children: Mary, the wife of Victor Ankor, of Montana; 
Annie, who married Fred Griswold, of Sioux City, Iowa; and Emil E., who 
is at home and does the greater part of the farm work. 

	Mr. Erickson is a republican with liberal tendencies and in his 
religious belief adheres to the Baptist church. He is a loyal member of 
the local organization of that denomination and can always be counted 
upon to do all in his power to advance any good cause. He is thoroughly 
identified with his adopted land and has never regretted his removal to 
South Dakota.