BIOGRAPHIES: Anton ERICKSON, Cumberland Township, Barron Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Transcribed by Kate Wilson. Edited and submitted by Vic Gulickson 14 September 2003 ************************************************************************ Anton Erickson, for nearly forty years one of the well-known and influential men of the northwestern part of the county, and now the owner of a good farm in Sections 30 and 31, Cumberland Township, was born in Sweden, May 5, 1859, the son of Erick and Anna (Wickstrom) Erickson, who spent the span of their years in that country. He attended school in his native land, and as a youth and young man was employed there. In 1882 he came to America, landed at Quebec, Canada, and came directly to Barron County, where he found employment in the mill owned by the Sprague Sawmill Co., in Crystal Lake Township, not far from Comstock. In 1887 he bought 80 acres of wild land in Section 31, Cumberland Township. He put up a set of buildings, established his home here, and started clearing the land. His first set of buildings were burned down. He at once replaced them, but that set, in turn, was also burned. Then he built the present set, sightly in appearance and adequate for all his needs. He has stumped and cleared about 70 acres, and has a well-kept place in every particular. In 1913 he bought an additional 40 acres in Section 30, making him a total of 120 acres. Here he carries on general farming and dairying in a modern manner. He has a good herd of Holsteins, headed by a pure-blooded sire. Mr. Erickson's talents have a number of times been called into requisition by the public for public service. In 1905 he was appointed road commissioner and served for fourteen years. In 1919 he was elected town supervisor and did most admirable work. For nearly twenty-five years he has been the efficient director of his school district, and the school has prospered under his sensible care. His holdings include stock in the Cumberland Creamery. All in all, Mr. Erickson is a useful, active citizen, whose work and worth has been important in the story of the growth and progress of the township, and who has always been willing to do his share in every worthy project. Mr. Erickson was married at Cumberland to Louise Larson, who was born on Aug. 25, 1860, in Sweden. She died Aug. 5, 1896. This union was blessed with three children: Jessie, who was born Feb. 29, 1888, and is now the wife of Gust H. Olson, of Cumberland Township. Arthur V. was born Aug. 17, 1889, and is in Cumberland City. James was born July 2, 1891, and is at home. Mr. Erickson was married to Johana Drumdahl, who was born in Norway, Nov. 27, 1865, the daughter of Hans and Ellen (Engebretson) Drumdahl, both of whom are now deceased. This union has been blessed with seven children. Walter was born March 16, 1898; Mildred E. was born Oct. 21, 1889; Enoch W. was born Sept. 1, 1901; Edna J. was born Dec. 30, 1903; John A. was born April 1, 1906; Anna O. was born April 10, 1908; and Violet H. was born Nov. 13, 1911. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church. --Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 441-442. © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm