Erick B. Erickson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 27-28 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ERICK B. ERICKSON. 

	Erick B. Erickson, a well known farmer of Clay county, was born 
in Sweden, August 12, 1862, a son of Andrew B. add Bertha (Jens) 
Erickson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The father's birth 
occurred July 12, 1835, and in May, 1860, in his native land, he was 
married. Nine years later he came to the United States and a year later 
was followed by his family. Upon their arrival a removal was made to 
Sioux City, which remained the family home for two years. In 1872 they 
emigrated to Dakota territory and Mr. Erickson homesteaded land 
southwest of Beresford, this state, where he resided for forty years. 
In 1912 he retired from active farm work and removed to Beresford, 
where he lived at the time of his death, which occurred October 17, 
1913, when he was seventy-eight years old. He was one of the first to 
settle in that part of the state and experienced all of the hardships 
and privations incident to making a home in a pioneer region. He was 
not discouraged and was rewarded by achieving personal success and by 
witnessing the rapid transformation that made of wild prairies 
cultivated farms and thriving towns. To him and his wife were born ten 
children: Erick B., of this review; August, who is farming near Newell, 
this state; Gertie, the wife of Ed Cambell, of Beresford; Charles, 
deceased; Alfred, of Clay county; Albert, residing in Beresford; Erika, 
deceased; Minnie, the wife of August Danielson; and two who died in 
infancy. 

	Mr. Erickson was seven years old when he accompanied his mother 
to this country. He had only attended school one week in his native 
land but after the family home was established in Sioux City he 
attended the public schools there. Subsequently his father removed to a 
farm and he then was a student in the country schools. However, he had 
but limited opportunities to secure a scholastic education as he was 
the oldest in the family and was compelled to work much of the time 
even during his boyhood. He put aside his text-books when sixteen years 
of age and began working for others at farm labor, being so employed in 
various states. After his marriage he rented a farm for two years and 
then homesteaded land in Lyman county, this state. He relinquished his 
homestead after residing thereon for three years and for about eight 
years rented land, after which he engaged in the livery business at 
Mission Hill for three years. At the end of that time he returned to 
Lyman county and homesteaded another quarter section but sold his 
improvements thereon after a short time. He went to Yankton, South 
Dakota, and after living there for a time purchased forty acres near 
that city and rented it for the first year. Be then operated it himself 
for a year, after which he returned home and purchased the homestead 
from his father. The latter lived with our subject for fifteen months 
and then removed to Beresford, where he resided until his death. Mr. 
Erickson of this review still owns in addition to the home place of one 
hundred and sixty acres forty acres adjoining Yankton. He does general 
farming and the sale of his crops yields him a good sum of money 
annually. He has also given considerable attention to the stock 
business and finds that quite profitable. 

	Mr. Erickson was married on the 25th of June, 1890, to Miss 
Louisa Anderson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Andrew S. and 
Carolina Anderson. Both of her parents were born in Norway and passed 
their entire lives there. The father was a farmer by occupation. Their 
family numbered eight children: John, of Norway; Louisa, the wife of 
our subject; Rika and Edward, who are residing on farms in Norway; 
Christian, of Portland, Oregon; Olina, who married Victor Bloomquist, 
of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mary, of North Dakota; and Julia, who is 
still living in Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson were born four 
children: Anna, a public-school graduate and the wife of Chris 
Steinbach, a merchant of Mission Hill, South Dakota; Esther, who is a 
graduate of the Yankton schools and is residing at home; Edna, at home; 
and one who died in infancy. 

	Mr. Erickson is a democrat and although not an office seeker is 
at present serving as constable. He was formerly identified with the 
ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America but 
has severed his connection with those organizations. In all that he has 
done he has displayed the pioneer spirit, brooking no obstacles that 
might be overcome by determined effort and, believing always that 
industry, good judgment and perseverance would bring success, his faith 
has been justified and he is now numbered among the prosperous 
agriculturists of Clay county.