Source of information: From the family record of Alvin R. Erikson
BIRTH; Certificate of birth, State of Utah, County of Salt Lake Registered No. 7426, dated 31 Jan
MARRIAGE: Marriage license #70433, State of Utah, County of Salt Lake.
DEATH: Certificate of death from Hardin, Big Horn County, Montana
He was an accountant.
Alvin served a mission to Sweden about 1929-1931.
Ordained Deacon: 18 Jan 1920 by Earl Guest
Ordained Teacher: 31 Dec 1922 by L. W. Aamodt
Ordained Elder: 15 Jan 1928 by E. Street
Ordained Seventy: 15 Aug 1933 by Levi Edgar YoungDate of Christening: 2 Febrary 1908 by John W. Boud
Baptized 31 Dec 1915 by Nels F. Nelson
Confirmed: 2 Jan 1915 by John L. Johson
Annie served a mission to the Northwest States which included Minneapolis, Winnepeg. She served about 1929-1930.
Christening Mar 1910 by Bishop Joseph Christenson
Baptized 23 march 1918 by John H. Wheeler
Confirmed 31 March 1918 by Carl C. Burton
Social Security #
He was a carpenter. In Norway he was learning the trade of blacksmithing.
Alfred left Salt Lake City on the 12 Jan 1912 for a Scandinavian Mission to Norway. Released the 14 April 1914. Returned to Salt Lake City 10 Jun1914 after visiting his relatives in Trondhien, Norway.
MISSION: The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah Film 26646, 10th Ward Departed Mission Area in 1912, page 107. Mission departure 17 Jan 1912 to Scandinavian Mission, Norway area.
BIRTH: PARISH REGISTER - Den Norske Kirke. Korskirken, Bergen, Bergen, Norway Kirkeboker, 1674-1929 The Family History Library 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah Film No. 1282908, Book B.7, page 271.- ALFRED - Parents, Ole Ingebrigtsen, a stone builder (mason) and wife Anna Lars Datter. Ole's birth year 1847. Anna's birth year 1849.
Date of entry: 20 Jan 1999Information from Alfred Denstad as told to Annie Denstad Erikson on Febrary 1964. Ingebret (Alfred's grandfather) was christened Ingebrith Svendsen and the name Denstad added when he moved to the farm of Denstad where his children were born. The first child of Ingebret was Ole (Alfred's father). He used the name of Denstad and his son, Alfred, remembers only that his father and grandfather were known by the surname of DENSTAD.
Date of entry: 31 Mar 1999SEALED TO PARENTS: The Family History Library 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah Film No. 457560, March 30, 1960
Date of entry: 2 Apr 1999BAPTIZED: The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah Bergen LDS Branch GS 17632 Pt. 2 (old number), pages 14.
Date of entry: 2 Apr 1999Crossing the Atlantic: set sail Sweden 6-15-1904, "Critic" White Star Line, Arrived Boston, U.S.A. July 1904
Arrived Salt Lake July 28, 1904. Alfred met his mother in Liverpool, England. Hand written notes of Alfred Denstad, Annie, word the following note, see emigration record from 1901 to 1920 6185 pt 2
Baptized in Bergen, Norway.
BIRTH: PARISH REGISTER, Den Norske kirke. Korskirken (Bergen), Bergen, Norway. Kirkeboker, 1674-1929. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah Film 278114, page 93, entry 36. Parents, Barber Henrik Bernhard Krogh Olsen and Monsine Olinfine Randine Monsen. Birth years for parents 1858. Date of entry: 6 Nov 1998.
TEMPLE ORDINATIONS: IGI - Family History Library, SLC, Utah, Film #: 457689 (Sealed to Parents). Date of entry: 15 Dec 1998.
ENDOWMENT: The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah Film 1239508, Living Endowment, page 24.
BAPTISED: Bergen, Branch, The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah Film 17632 pt 2, Record of Members 1901-1909, Page 59.
Inga Krog-Olsen Denstad was a great genealogist. Vannett Erikson Seward has the family group records she has researched. She would research cousins to help her find her direct line (our great great grandparents etc). Inga Denstad was born in Bergen, Norway and immigrated to United States about 1904. Inga while living in Utah, she would search through farm books written by people in Norway who lived in certain counties of Norway where her people were living. In 1956 Inga and Alfred went to Norway. They were there for 6 months. During that time she visited all her close and distant relatives on her side and my grandfather's (Alfred) side. She spent time in the church archives finding birth, marriage, and death dates, and names. If she hadn't done what she did, we would not have the information for our ancestors on Inga and Alfred sides. Norway is not an easy place to research. Sweden is easier than Norway. Date of entry: 4 Jul 1999
A lot of Grandma Inga Denstad's work on our direct line and also her great half uncle's family and his relatives (descendants and his father's family) are on our home computer and which disks have been submitted to the Church's ancestral file. Date of entry: 4 Jul 1999
I took a big box of family group sheets of Inga Denstad's distant cousins, aunts and uncles to the Church Ancestral Department which is located on the 6th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (formerly Hotel Utah). I've talked to the lady who is typing up all these sheets for the family ancestral file. Date of entry: 4 Jul 1999
BLESSING: 10th Ward, Liberty State, birth 1911, Film 26,646, page 356 and 357. Blessed by Joseph Christensen.
DEATH: The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, 10 Ward, Liberty State, Film 26646, Record of 1911, page 570 and 531.
BURIAL: City Cemetary, Salt Lake City, Utah. Name registered, Helma E. Desntad. Buried 1911, Deed #6346, Copied from City cemetary records by Annie Denstad Erikson, dated: 9 June 1966
A barber and wig maker
Inga Krogh Olsen researched in the Domkirken's records that Henrik was christened Henrik Bernhard Krogh Olsen. His father Anders was recorded as Anders Olsen.
Hendrik at time of his marriage and birth of his children his name was spelled Henrik Bernhard Krogh Olsen. On his birth record his name is spelled Hendrick Bernhard Krogh Olsen.
BIRTH: PARISH REGISTER, Den Norske kirke. Domkirken (Bergen), Bergen, Norway. Kirkeboker, 1663-1932. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah Film 278099, page 133, entry 93. Parents, Anders Olsen, a fish hook maker, and Ingeborg Cecilia Tomine Hansen. Date of entry: 6 Nov 1998.
Björnstjerne Bjöornson, a famous Norwegian playwrite established in Bergen, Norway, the National Scene, now known as Bergen's National Theater, and it was in this theater that the famous stage performers of Norway started their careers. Henrick Bernhard Krogh Olsen, made all the wigs used in this theater over a period of thirty years. He was considered the best wig maker in the Scandinavian countries. His toupees were so much like ones own hair that even on the closest observation one could not detect that the wearer was using a toupee.
A beauty parlor proprietor who took orders for toupees claimed he had them made in Paris, but he brought the orders to Henrik to have them filled. Henrik's work won first prize at the World's fair in Chicago in 1893.
Hendrick is the way his name was spelled on his birth record.
TEMPLE ORDINATIONS: IGI - Family History Library, SLC, Utah, Film #: 184278, P#: 481, O#: 13272 (Baptized, Endowed) Date of entry: 15 Dec 1998.
Monsine Olefine Randine MONSEN
BIRTH: PARISH REGISTER, Den Norske kirke. Korskirken (Bergen), Bergen, Norway. Kirkeboker, 1674-1929. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah Film 278108, page 191, entry 132. Parents, Tollev Peder Monsen and Anna Karine Andreas Dtr. Date of entry: 6 Nov 1998.
Henrik was born in the summer 1884. He lived only 3
BIRTH,DEATH: PARISH REGISTER, Den Norske kirke. Korskirken (Bergen), Bergen, Norway. Kirkeboker, 1674-1929. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah Film 278114, page 222, entry 1. Parents, Barber Henrik Bernhard Krogh Olsen and Monsine Olinfine Randine Monsen. Birth years for parents 1858. Date of entry: 6 Nov 1998.
TEMPLE ORDINATIONS: IGI - Family History Library, SLC, Utah, Film #: 457689 (Sealed to Parents); Date of entry: 15 Dec 1998.
Died at 3 months.
DEATH: PARISH REGISTER, Den Norske kirke. Korskirken (Bergen), Bergen, Norway. Kirkeboker, 1674-1929. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah DEATH DATE FOR SIGNE is shown on her sister, Signe birth record. DEATH DATE, 28 Jun 1890, Film 278115, page 109, entry 62. Parents, Barber Henrik Bernhard Krogh Olsen and Monsine Olinfine Randine Monsen. Birth years for parents 1858. Date of entry: 6 Nov 1998.
TEMPLE ORDINATIONS: IGI - Family History Library, SLC, Utah, Film #: 457689 (Sealed to Parents); Date of entry: 15 Dec 1998.
BIRTH: PARISH REGISTER, Den Norske kirke. Korskirken (Bergen), Bergen, Norway. Kirkeboker, 1674-1929. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah Film 278115, page 109, entry 62. Parents, Barber Henrik Bernhard Krogh Olsen and Monsine Olinfine Randine Monsen. Birth years for parents 1858. Date of entry: 6 Nov 1998.
TEMPLE ORDINATIONS: IGI - Family History Library, SLC, Utah, Film #: 457689 (Sealed to Parents); Date of entry: 15 Dec 1998.
BIRTH: CLERICAL SURVEY. Kyrokbocker, 1675-1891, Svenska kyrkan. Trokorna socken. Clerical Survey, Trokorna, Skarabory, Sweden. Film for the Genealogical Society of Utah. 1956-67. Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158, FHL Film 509825, page 50 and page 30. BIRTH recorded for parents and children. On Page 30 it is recorded that Erik Eriksson's family moved 4 November 1879 to Tornhem just before Child No. 7, Anna Matilda's birth. Date of Entry: 17 June 1998
BIRTH: CLERICAL SURVEY. Kyrkobocker, 1670-1896, Svenska Kyrkan. Norra Bjorke socken. North Bjorke, Alvsborg, Sweden, Film for the Genealogical Society of Utah. 1959-61. Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158, FHL Film 490859, page 22. BIRTH RECORDED for Erik Eriksson, his wife and children. MOVED OUT (away) 10 Nov 1986 to Asaka Date of Entry: 18 June 1998
BIRTH: CIVIL REGISTER - 20 Sep 1875 - The Family History Library, SLC, Utah, Film 201200, Entry 24. Bodahult, Trokorna, Skaraborg, Sweden. Svante Alfred, 5th child of Erik Erikson and Kristina Anders Dotter, married 11 May 1867. Kristina was 31 years old at the time of birth. Trokorna is in District of VISTE, which is in the index at the beginning of the film 201200. Turning the film look for Fodelsebok for Trokorna Annex. Date of Entry: 17 June 1998
Svante Alfred told his children he was born 26 Sept 1875 and that was the birth date observed by the family.
Baptized 2 June 1895 at Trolhattan by Anders C. Bjork
Confirmed 3Jun 1895 by Geo. S. Backman.Emigrated to Utah 25 May 1896.
Place of birth Stenbron at Bodahult, Trokorna, Skaraborg, Sweden. In Swedish birth is spelled FODDA.
Also on the birth records it stated that the father, Erik Erikson was crofter. The dictionary states that a crofter is one who rents and tills croft. A croft is (a) a small enclosed field or (b) a small agricultural
holding worked by a tenant.BIRTH: Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158. Record found under Sweden, Skaraborg - CIVIL REGISTER, Clerical Survey 320629, page 10 Flo Mader - Wane, Skaraborg. Fahaga (a little farm) located on Haberg Estate. Date of Entry: 20 Aug 1998
He was a plumber. Date of entry: 31 Mar 1999
He went on a mission to Sweden during World War I. His father died while he was serving his mission. At the time his Dad was living in Sweden. Date of entry: 31 Mar 1999
My grandfather, Svante Alfred Erikson, was hard of hearing.
SVANTE ALFRED ERIKSON'S JOURNAL
Sweden was the land of my birth, and the home of my childhood. My parents lived in that part of Sweden called Vestergotland. I was born at Stenbrona, our home in Trokorna parish (soken), Skaraborgs province (lan) on the 26th of September 1875. When I was three or four years old, my parents moved from Stenbrona, to a farm called Stora Bredang in Bjorke parish. I vaguely remember moving as if it were in a dream. While at Stora Bredang, I attended the grade schools for a few terms.From Stora Bredang, my parents moved to another place in the neighborhood called Skogebo estate situated in Asaka parish of Elfsborgs province where we stayed for several years. While there, I attended the folk school for several terms. During the summertime, I watched cows in Jungliden. For two summers, I looked after the cows for Anders at Sandvadet., For 7 or 8 years of his youth and until he was 15 years of age, he tended cows and did chores for his folks and various farmers during the summer time.
As time passed, my parents again moved to a little farm called Fahaga, located on Haberg Estate. this was a Nobleman's estate or fief located in Flo parish, Elfsborg's province where my father continued farming. This was a five day farm or fief for which five days work was performed each week as rent. After my brother Emil had done the required work for three years on Haberg Estate, I did this required labor for the succeeding three years.
While living at Fahaga, I attended the parish school for the purpose of becoming a communicant, and was subsequently confirmed a member of the Lutheran State Church of Sweden during the Summer of 1890 in Sahl's Church in Flo parish by Pastor N. Y. Lunneblad. I was about 15 years of age at that time.
When Savte Alfred or Alfred and Al as he was known by his friends and co-workers was 19 years of age in the year 1894, he heard the teaching of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Elders in the Swedish Mission. I heard the principles of "Mormonism" from the Elders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the first time in about the year 1894. An unutterable and sincere desire came over him to become united with them; and associated with them; and accept their teachings.
Early one beautiful summer morning in the year 1895, he walked a long distance to the beautiful city of Trollhattan, Sweden where he met the missionaries and was baptised and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Staints. The very day that I met them, which was on 2 June 1895, I was baptised by Elder Anders Bjork, who lived in Trollhattan. On June 3rd, Elder George Backman assisted by Elder Anders Bjork, confirmed me a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My brother Karl August Erikson, was the first of our family to be baptised a member of The Church to which I had just been confirmed.
1896
In the year 1896, I emigrated to Utah where my brother Karl had preceded me earlier. In order that I might leave Sweden, I had to obtain a birth certificate from the parish Priest as well as the King's permission to move from the Kingdom of Sweden. In order to obtain the King's permission, I had to obtain my father's help, the spokeman's (Ordforandens) and the church pastor's emigration permits.On 8 January 1896, I sent a letter to the King of Sweden requesting permission to migrate to America which application was subsequently granted. On the 24th of April, I went to the pastor of Flo Church and obtained a certificate granting clearance to leave Sweden. From Flo Church, I went to Grastorp to obtain necessary clothing and luggage for traveling.
On the 11th of May 1896, a beautiful Spring morning, I bade farewell to my father, mother, brothers and sisters. This was most difficult for me to do. My father took me to the railroad station after leaving home at 7:00 a.m. o'clock that morning where I bade him farewell as well as farewell to Sahlsta railroad station and the familiar places of my native Sweden. I boarded the train at 9:30 a.m. and arrived in Trollhattan at about 12:00 noon where missionaries Cederstrom and Amundson met me. That afternoon, I visited Smets at Trollhattan and bade farewell. That evening, we had dinner at Brother Bjork's home.
At 12:30 p.m. on the 12th May, after saying goodbye to the Bjork's, I left Trollhattan on the canal boat Necken arriving in Gothenburg about 4:00 p.m. o'clock. If Elder Cederstrom had not been my companion, I would have had it difficult to determine where I should go. Fortunately Elder Cederstrom was with me and he took me to the "Mormon" Church headquarters in Gothenburg where I obtained lodging the second night from home.
On 13th of May, I bought a 2nd class ticket costing 305 kronar (crowns) or about $100.00 paying my entire transportation from Gothenburg to Salt Lake Caity, Utah.
MY TRAVELS FROM GOTHENBURG
At 1:00 p.m. on Friday the 15th of May, I left Gothenburg, Sweden on the S. S. Ariosto and within one hour Sweden disappeared from view. I shall never forget how the boat began to roll and toll here anda there. Nevertheless, I was able to stand and did not have the slightest feeling of seasickness.The first night at sea, it seemed as though all Hell broke loose as the boat tossed and my knapsack rolled over me. I thought the boat would roll upside down, but it didn't. Saturday, the 16th passed and at 8:00 a.m. in the morning, we landed in Hull, England. It had taken nearly two full days from Gothenburg to Hull.
At 6:00 a.m. on the 18th of May, we left the S. S. Ariosto. The agents of the Anchor Lines and the Star Steamship Lines took us passengers to a restaurant where we had coffee and rolls and a good dinner. From here, we walked to the depot and boarded the train for Glasgow, Scotland, where we arrived at 8:30 p.m. that evening. After leaving the train, another steamship agent gave me lodging at a hotel, together with five other men. I slept there that night with a laplander. However, this was a 3rd class hotel and I should have had second class accomodations.
At about mid-day on the 19th of May, the steamship representative took me to a second class hotel where it was much nicer. We stayed in Glasgow from the evening of the 17th to mid-day of the 21st. We sailed on a small boat for two hours before boarding the Atlantic Steamer, "City of Rome."
At 1:00 a.m. the night of the 22nd, we began sailing acorss the Atlantic Ocean and landing at New York City on the 30th of May at 2:00 p.m. It took nine days in crossing the Atlantic.
In New York City, we received lodging at the Cosmopolitan Hotel for two nights and one day. While there, another boy and I went to Brooklyn by train and walked back over the Brooklyn Bridge. We took the wrong way back but a policeman directed us to the right foot path.
Leaving New York City on the 1st of June, we sailed on the Steamer Roanoke to Norfolk, Virginia where we arrived at Mid-day on the 2nd of June. We left Norfolk that evening at 10:00 p.m. by train. By way of curiosity, I wrote down some of the stations which we passed and they were: Bluefield, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Ogden.
On the morning of the 7th of June, 1896, we arrived in Salt Lake City. Even though arriving at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, my borther Karl together with Robert Nelson and Karl Karlson met me at the station. It took us four days by train from Norfolk to Salt Lake City. That first day in Salt Lake City, I saw and entered the Salt Lake Tabernacle for the first time.
During the first few days, I stayed with my brother Karl who lived on "Grape Street" with a family by the name of Lavin. (Parents of A. George Lavin.) The first job I obtained was in the train repair department of the "Rio Grande" where I worked for two days. I was asked to leave inasmuch as I could not speak English. Later on the 24th and 25th, I labored two nights at the Murray Smelter. I was then staying with a family by the name of Petterson. However, the smelter work did not suite me so I again returned to the City. Leaving at 10:00 p.m. at night, on the last day of June, I rode out to Pleasant Grove with a man by the name of Monson. Arriving on the 1st of July, I stayed at the home of A. G. Johnson until the 17th of July 1896. He was the missionary who had baptised my brother Karl.
On mid-day of the 17th of July, I started working for John Rosengren, another farmer who was a Seventh Day Adventist. He paid me $10.00 a month.
On the 26th of July, I left my membership record and recommend at the Pleasant Grove 2nd Ward, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I stayed with John Rosengren until the 11th of October. On the evening of the 11th, I went back to Salt Lake City where I had a difficult time finding my brother Karl. He had moved from Grape Street to a place on Social Hall Avenue. I could not speak English very well which made it difficult for me to find my way around. Nevertheless, I found Karl and stayed with him that night. The following morning, I went to Murray, Utah to find work at the smelter foreman's farm. I work for five nights at the smelter during which time I stayed with Brother Nilson. After this I did farm work for about one month.
On the 25 of November, I again went to the Smelter to obtain work. After a coupe days, I returned to Salt Lake City for a day afterwhich I went back to the Smelter and then to A. G. Johnson's at Pleasant Grove, Utah.
During the 2nd week of December, I went with John Rosengren to Mercur and Sunshine, Utah to seek employment but found none, whereupon I followed him back to Salt Lake City. Here I celebrated a pleasant Christmas and concluded the year 1896.
1897
On January 3, 1897, I directed my footsteps towards the South. With my knapsack in hand, I headed towards Pleasant Grove. it was bitter cold that morning, and so crisp and fresh to walk. After a while, I decided that this was a hard way to travel so I asked those that were going my way if I could ride with them. Shortly, a man that was driving his wagon to Pleasant Grove, Utah offered to let me sit with him on the drivers seat. I reached A. G. Johnson's that evening where I stayed for a short time.On the 6th of February, I attended my first Deacon's Quorum meeting, and on the 7th, I was ordained a deacon in the Pleasant Grove 2nd Ward by Elder James Cobble, Bishop Alfred Keach, and Elder Ezra E. Walker.
On the 28th of March, I asked William Kirk for work, and on April 8th, I began working for him at $15.00 a month. After a time, I was paid $20.00 a month. I stayed with him for nearly two years working mostly on his farm as well as herding his flock of sheep in Provo Valley and in Rush Valley.
On the 18th of July in 1897, I received my first assignment in Sunday School and I was surely scared. A little later, I took more active part without much difficulty. Christmas of 1897 was celebrated in Salt Lake City.
1898
The year 1898 came and went without much change. During the Spring of 1898, my brother Herman came to Amercia and stayed in Pleasant Grove. I helped him obtain work at Brother Ash's place. The Summer passed by with its ordinary duties such as irrigating, hauling hay, plowing and cultivating. During the winter, I fed sheep. Just before Christmas of 1898, I was hauling ice for William Kirk. He let me go to Salt Lake City on Christmas Eve. Herman did not want to go. After celebrating Christmas, I returned to Kirk's.1899
On the evning of January 6th, after a full days work hauling ice, I wanted to dry my wet gloves but Kirk wouldn't let me. After an exchange of words, I was laid off for which I was not sorry. After being with Herman a few days, I stopped at Gustaf Johnson's until March. I then worked a few weeks for Joseph Vadley. After leaving Vadley's, I rode my bicycle to Mercur looking for work. I left Lindon in the morning and arrived at Mercur by mid-day after riding through Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, and Camp Floyd. The roadway was fair in some places and in other places it was sandy, rocky or too steep to ride.I stayed at Mercur mining camp for one day and one night seeking work. Not finding anything suitable, I left the following mid-day on my bicycle ridiing through Rush Valley, Willow Valley (likely Tooele Valley) and Salt Lake Valley arriving in Salt Lake City at 8:00 p.m. that evening. That night, I stayed with my brother Karl. I then worked three weeks for a scrap iron dealer.
For a short time from the 10th of May, I worked for A. G. White. On the 22nd of May, I began working for A. Speirs, a blacksmith. Not receiving sufficient pay to meet living expenses, I left him.
I worked for Frank Tett in a stone quarry from the 8th of July until the 9th of September. For the balance of the year from the 11th of September, I again worked for Fred Roberts, a scrap iron dealer. At one time, I worked at one of the lime burning kilns which can still be seen on the foothills near Warm Springs. I had also worked at the cement plant in Salt Lake City for a short time.
The following outstanding incidents occurred during the year 1899. My brother Karl married Anna Karlstrom during the fore part of June. In September, Karl went to Idaho and purchased 120 acres of farm land of which Herman, Karl, and I were to farm 40 acres each. During the month of October, my brother Anders Johan Erikson died.
1900
The year 1900 was a bit more steady than the year 1899. On the 10th of March, I left my brother Karl's home where I had boarded since last June when he was married. Nevertheless, I continued my employment in the Silver Brothers Foundry. On Friday the 6th of April, I left Silver Brothers for the purpose of working on the land we had purchased in Idaho. On the 10th of April, I took the train from Salt Lake City to Rexburg, Idaho arriving there aboaut 11:00 a.m. the next day. Brother Mattson met me at the station with his horses and wagon. I stayed and worked tih John Mattson for eight days.Not having any farm equipment and only my two hands, I couldn't do much with our land. I then began working for Mr. Cleveland on the 26th of April at $25.00 per month where I was to have worked for six months. I didn't thrive there as his wife was a Mormon-eater. Putting up with conditions there for only three months, I terminated my employment. I received two horses for my work. To me farming is surely hard and difficult work.
On the 22nd of July, I took my belongings and went home to father and mother who were then living in Lyman, Idaho which area later became Archer, Idaho. They had moved there from Salt Lake City on the 20th of June in the year 1900. Father, Herman and I went to the timbers and chopped the trees from which father built his home.
I left Idaho on the 1st of October after saying farewell to father, mother, and brother Herman, reaching Salt Lake City on the 2nd of October. I then worked for Silver Brothers Foundry for the remainder of the year 1900.
During the year 1900, Father's sister, Anna Katrina Anderson (born Erikson) died in Sweden. My dear darling mother died in Archer, Idaho on the 14th December 1900 at the age of 56 years, 5 months, and 21 days.
On the 8th October, 1900, I was ordained an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints by A. C. Sorenson. At that time, John A. Evans was the Elders Quorum president. Charles E. Peterson was the secretary.
During they year 1904, I built a home at 1045 Pierpont Avenue in Salt Lake City in the 15th Ward. At the time, I was working at the Oregon Short Line Railroad shops (now the Union Pacific Railroad shops).
On the 26th of March 1906, I was ordained a Seventy by Bishop John W. Boud, and became a member of the 2nd quorum of Seventy in the 15th Ward.
It was during the year 1906, that I took up the plumbing trade working for Backman.
On October 24, 1906, I was married to Beda Amalia Lindbeck in the Salt Lake Temple. Beda was baptised and confirmed a member of The Church on the 12 of April 1903 in Lulea, Sweden.
We were blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter who were all born at 1045 Pierpont Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah. Alvin Ragnar Erikson was born January 6, 1908. Alfred Joseph Erikson and Hyrum Benjamin Erikson, twin sons, were born on Febrary 8, 1909. Ruth Beda Erikson, our daughter was born on August 8, 1912.
During 1915 at the time of World War I, I accepted a call from The Church to fill a mission to Sweden where I labored as a missionary of The Chruch teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ from June 26, 1915 to January 2, 1918. Beda and the children were greatly blessed during the time I was away and were well when I returned home. 1915 his eldest child was 7 and the youngest not quite 3.
In the Spring of 1919, we bought an acrea of land at 3075 South State Street, where we lived in a small three room frame home for a while which Alfred had the present home built. . In about 922, we had John A, Runswick build us a brick bungalow. When our families were younger, we had John A. Runswick's family for dinner and they in turn had our family to dinner.
We were active in the Miller Ward located on 33rd South Street, between Main and State Streets. At one time I was on the ward finance committee. On several occasions, I was called to do stake missionary work for a number of years.
In 1928, our son Alvin Ragnar Erikson was called to fill a mission to Sweden where he labored from March 1928 to July 1930. In 1933 the twins, Hyrum Benjamin Erikson and Alfred Joseph Erikson, were called to fill a two year mission to Sweden where they labored until the Summer of 1935.
We bought a 1935 Ford car in Detroit, Michigan that year when Beda went back to Detroit and met the twins and drove home with them on their return from sweden. On their way home, they stopped off and visited with Beda's sister, Anna Lindbeck Nordstrom. Later, Ruth filled a two year mission in the Northern States Mission with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. She had the opportunity to visit with Anna and Alfred Nordstrom, and her cousins Dorothy and Allan Nordstrom.
In 1932, I had a severe heart attack, afterwhich, I could not do any heavy extended labor. I was able to be up and around doing small chores about the house and light gardening.
When I was a young boy doing farm work in Sweden, a farmer for whom I worked became irritated and hit me across my right ear causing partial loss of hearing.
Our children have all been married in L.D.S. Temples, and raising their own families. They and their families are all active in the Church, and are all living in Salt Lake City, Utah. (July 1, 1946)
At about 10:00 a.m., Septembe 26, 1947 on his 72nd birthday, he had a severe heart attack and died at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, September 27, 1947
At the Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City I was told what and how the name Lindback originated. Lindback is a military name. When a man was in the military they were assigned a new last name. The military would use a combination of two nature names. Lind means Linden Tree and Back means Brook. Then I was told sometimes people would choose their last name. Lindback name could be anywhere in Sweden.
BIRTH: The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah -- GS ser no 201133, entry 222, Ranea Parish. Ranbyn Ranea, Sweden. The top of the page the heading is Fodelsebok for RANEA Norrbotten. Her father and mother were listed on the birth records as Farmer, Johan Lindback and Anna Magdalena Strands of Ranby. Mother was25 and Father was 28 yrs.
-- 17 Dec 1883, Dotter Beda Amalia.In Sweden for birth records they are located in the Civil Register. Register were made during certain date period. If the birth record is these dates, records can be found in the Parish records. At the beginning
the microfilm which is searched there is a statistical summary listing county's parishes on the left side.Emigration Records LDS Swedish Mission (GS ser. no 6185, pt 2)Swedish Mission Records (GSF ser. No 13475, pt 7) Lulea Branch, Sundsvall District or Conference.
!The surname Lindbeck is spelled Lindbäck in Swedish records andpronounced in English Lindbeck.Ranbyn is a farm.
Beda Amalia Lindback, Baptized, 12 Apr 1903 at Svartostaden (Lulea) by James P. Olson; Confirmed 12 Apr 1903 by James P. Olson; Emmigrated to Utah 2 Jul 1904 in full Fellowship. Swedish LDS Mission Record of Members, Lulea Branch, Sundsvall Conference 1893-1904. Library 23171 (GSF 13475, F Swed. 1, pt 7, Rec. of Members No. 20. Research by Alvin R.Erikson 9-3-65.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BEDA AMALIA LINDBECK ERIKSONThis autobiography of Beda Amalia Lindbeck Erikson was related to the family of Alvin Ragnar Erikson, her son, on December 3, 1947 and January 14, 1948 at their home at 2753 Chadwick Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.
I was the third child of thirteen children in the family of Johannes Lindbeck and Anna Magdalena Strand. I was born December 17, 1883 in Ranea, Norrbotten, Sweden, a small community not far from Lulea, Sweden. Our frame home had a foyer, kitchen, living room, and small bedroom. Father built us bunk beds in which to sleep. Three slept in the lower bed and three slept in the upper bed. the mattresses on our beds were made of straw which were nice and soft when newly made but they were hard after we had slept on them for some time. During the Summertime, we slept outdoors in the barn. Rag rugs were placed on the kitchen floor which were cleaned every Saturday.
It was my duty to carry in wood and water. Water had to be carried from a well or lake about one quarter block away. There was no well on our place because our lot was solid rock under a thin covering of soil, which made it difficult and costly to dig a well. During the winter time, these wells would freeze and it would be difficult to obtain water. Even as late as Midsummer, the 24th of June, there could be a rim of ice in these wells and very little water could be dipped out. Ice could also be found on the ground underneath a thin layer of straw or grass. During the winters that we were home there was lots of snow on the ground which was blown into extremely high drifts.
When I started school at eight years of age, I was advanced to the second grade. This rapid advancement made it difficult for me to learn the lessons. While in grade school, I went through three grades. At eleven, I went to high school. When children learned to do arithmetic, read and write, and become acquainted with geography, they were considered educated. We had to buy our own school books.
At thirteen years of age, I worked for the Fellenius family, a well to do family in Ranea. After working at this place for a whole year, all that I received was two aprons and material for a black dress. I read the catechism in church before the Priest of the Lutheran Church. At one time, I needed new shoes but did not have half enough money for a new pair. I cried when I had to carry shoes for this family as I could not pay for my own shoes. During the time that I worked for this family, I had to haul wood uphill on a sleight from the shed to the house. I had to keep fires going in eight rooms of this home. I was stronger at thirteen than I was at twenty years of age. I carried the wood into two rooms upstairs and six rooms downstairs. They also had ten cows and heifers which I milked in the Summertime after which I herded them to pasture two miles away. In the evenings, I would bring them back for milking. I don't know how I did all that work. I also worked in the same house that my sister Alina Lindbeck Sandstrom has since bought and she now lives there. At fourteen years of age, I worked as a nurse maid which was not nearly so hard to do as the work at the Fellenius family. The people I worked for had a bakery but they were stingy with their food. There was continual quarreling among the two girls at this place, but they wanted me to stay another year.
One comical incident occurred during my second grade in school. An older girl was very critical of the clothes worn by her school mates. One little girl was the baby of her family and was dressed like a doll. One day my dress got caught in a school bench and tore. This older girl got the whole class of girls to crowd around me when she asked me who had the prettiest dress, little Fredrica or my dress, I told them that I had. She became furious and gave me a piece of her mind. Then I said, "Well, I guess Fredrica has."
When I was fifteen years old, my mother had twin boys, Albert and Arvid, so I helped at home. I was very fond of Albert who died at 17 years of age. Brother Arvid has lived in Chicago, Illinois, Salt Lake City, Utah, Butte, Montana and back to Chicago (1955).
When I was sixteen years of age, the baker's family and the Fellenius family wanted me to work for them. I accepted work at the Fellenius family where I received 100 kronor a year. When I told the baker's family my decision, they never spoke to me again. My sister Ida was married to Arvid Hellstrom in Sweden. They moved to Svartestaden, Lulea, Sweden.
At seventeen, I was recommended by Mrs. Forsberg for work with the Johnson family in Lulea. He was a brewer. I worked for them for one year and received 185 kronor for the years work.
At eighteen, I worked for the Brenstrom family. He was a civil engineer. They had four boys and one girl. There were always twelve at the table. I was up at six o'clock every morning to get the boys ready for school at 7 o'clock. The other maid left them and then I had to cook for all twelve people. I did two girls work for the pay of one. Bertha Stenberg ( a priest's daughter) was the 2nd girl and was little better than a hired girl. We became such good friends. Mrs. Brenstrom was good hearted but quarrelsome. One day, I went to the door and locked it so that I would not hear her talk. She knocked at the door until I thought she would surely break it down. I only worked one year for these people.
At nineteen, I worked for the Lindval family in Boden. There were two in this family I was their cook. They also had one house girl. I was never so sick of a place. The lady of this house was the most conceited woman for whom I had ever worked. I went out with the girls in Boden.
I went on an outing to an island with five families where there were a number of boys from a nearby saw mill. I met one of the boys and he fell for me. Later when I told him that I was interest in the so called Mormon Church, our engagement was broken. It seemed as though a mountain had come up between us.I was religiously inclined and went out with girls of similar tendencies and likes. As a young girl, I went to many churches seeking religion but could not find anything that was satisfying. I always believed in Jesus Christ. During my youth, I remembered that they preached that belief in Jesus Christ would save one. I prayed about this as I was puzzled. One day I received a letter from my sister Ida telling me that her husband, Arvid, had joined the "Mormon Church", which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sometime before Victor Arvid Hellstrom met the L.D.S. Missionaries, he had an experience which gave him a strong testimony. One day as he tried to arise after resting, he could not move because he seemed to be paralyzed. He then prayed to the Lord and promised Him that if he would relieve him, he would serve him the rest of his life. A short time later, when he was leaving his father's home, his stepmother felt remorseful and asked him to forgive her if she had done him any wrong. He said no, and that he would never forgive her.
At the time he found himself paralyzed, he prayed to the Lord and called out, "God show me the way." In Sweden, they had tile heaters in the corner of every room. It was very common the have embroidered band about seven feet long and six inches wide hanging from the dampers extending out near the top of the heaters. As he look up from where he laid, he saw the words "Heliga" meaning saints in gold lathers on this particular band. There were many more letters but they were taken away before he could read them all.
One day as he was out walking, he passed a house where he saw the name of the church in Swedish, "Jesu Kristi Kyrka av de Sista Dagarnas Heliga." The name contained the word which he had previously seen after he had prayed for help. he contacted the Elders and subsequently asked for baptism. (He worked as a baker at the time. Simon Holstrong was also a baker with him. He also became a member of the Church and came to Salt Lake City, and never married.) He, Arvid, was baptized in the wintertime. In preparing for baptism, they had to chop a hole in the ice to water. When they had chopped a hole through the ice, there was no water below. When Arvid saw that there was no water in which to baptize him, he remembered that he had told his stepmother that he would not forgive her. He promptly went to see her and extended his forgiveness to her. When they again met for the baptismal ceremony, the hole was full of water and he was baptized. These experiences were a testimony to him of divine help and guidance.
Shortly after Ida had written, she called me on the telephone asking what I thought about Arvid joining the "Mormon Church". I told her that he must be sincere to have taken such a step. The following day she sent me a package of tracts which I read. They made everything seem clear to me. I read them all and thinking others would see it the same as I did, I read them to some religious girls that lived nearby. They were puzzled and could hardly sit still one minute for fear that false prophets should come and mislead them.
I was employed in Boden, Sweden when all this happened. Shortly after, I went over to Svartestaden, where Ida and Arvid Lived. I was baptized here at 5:00 a.m. o'clock Easter morning, April 12, 1903 by Elder James P. Olson from Brigham City, Utah. We jumped down into the icy water which came up under our arms. Ida and I were baptized that morning. I then returned to Boden where I continued doing house work. There were no members of the church in Boden and it was pretty lonesome. I received a strong testimony at once, but I had the hosts of Hell after me in Boden. I felt evil spirits and people come as if inspired of Satan. I started tracting everyone I contacted. This gave me strength and peace. I did a lot of praying.
I had an experience which I have held sacred to myself. One evening while outside, I looked up to the skies and wondered if the Lord had accepted and acknowledged me and if I meant anything to him. When I went into the house and walked about the middle of the room, a whispering voice came to my right ear saying, "Have peace my soul". this was not a dream as it was early evening. I have been filled with the spirit of the Lord around me many times during my life. I was nineteen years old when I was baptized a member of the Church o Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After learning that I was a member of the so called "Mormon Church" (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) the family for whom I worked told me that they didn't want me to work for them the next year. However, I received many good offers of work in Boden, Sweden. I did not accept any of them as I had planned to emigrate to Salt Lake City, Utah. Instead, I went to Lulea to help my sister Ida. Arvid Hellstrom had sold his bakery business to his brother before leaving for Salt Lake City, Utah
Ida rented a room where we lived. My sister, Ida, knitted woolen goods and I went out selling the goods and taking orders. I was quite successful in making sales, but certain dealers who setup their stands every payday at the Altapen Saw Mills were very angry with me when they saw me going from house to house. The last day, I was there and on my way home, I met a woman who asked me if I had sold out all the knit goods as she was very anxious to buy a pair of stockings. I opened up the package I carried and asked her how she would like the only pair I had to show her. She said that was just what she wanted.
I stayed with Brother and Sister Lindgren who became dear friends to me and they were very faithful members of the church. Brother Lindgren had a pair of shoes to be half-soled at the shoemakers. When he got the pair back, there was a small tract in the shoes. He read the message contained in this tract as printed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints and started to investigate the teachings of the Church. Upon further study of the principles of the gospel, he asked for baptism. He was engaged to a girl at the time. She told him that she could forgive anything except him becoming a “Mormon”.
One day he boarded a boat which he thought was going South, but instead he found that he was on a Northbound ship. He decided to stay on the boat and see the country. While there, he met a lovely girl whom he married. She did not want to come to America because she was afraid of the water. One night, their daughter Anna Lindgren had a dream. She dreamt that all the home and the sawmill burned to the ground. They did not take much heed of it. Their neighbors took out fire insurance. A fire finally came and the Lindgren’s lost all that they had in this fire.
Mary Lindgren Anderson, another of their daughters is my closest friend. She and her husband recently returned from a three year mission to Sweden. And will complete another mission to Sweden in the year 1956.
Brother Lindgren, the Father, died while in Sweden. Sister Lindgren finally came to Salt Lake City, Utah with her son Rudolf and their youngest daughter.
At one time, Mary was afflicted with a hip disease and there were no Elders around to administer to her. While she was bedridden, a messenger came to her and told her to read the scriptures. The family started reading considerably from the scriptures and the gospel messages of the Church. In time, Mary became well enough to be up out of bed.
Mary and her sister, Anna, finally came to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1915. Mary stayed with me at our home on 1045 Pierpont Avenue during her first year here. My husband, Alfred, had just left for his mission to Sweden. She was a good friend to me and was very helpful. Their entire family were good faithful member of the Church.
When Arvid Hellstrom first came to Salt Lake City, he worked for Applequist Bakery. The Applequist’s sent me money so that I could travel to Salt Lake City. This I later repaid.
I went back to Ranea to say goodbye to my mother, father, brothers, and sisters. Mother was very worried. One day I was helping mother to mangle the clothes. She said, “It’s awful how everybody hated the Mormons, God help me from ever being a Mormon.” I told mother my experiences with them and that I found that they actually taught the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I also told mother, “Blessed are ye when they persecute you and say all manner of falsehoods about you, then you may know that you are not of the world. The Mormons hate nobody.” Mother looked very astonished. My mother was a very good mother and she laid the foundation of the gospel in my heart. However, she never became a member of the Church during her lifetime.
While visiting in Ranea for the last time, I explained the gospel to two girl friends and was with them until 1:00 a.m. o’clock. I saw the sun rise and heard the birds singing beautifully that early in the morning. The hyacinths were blooming and all nature was beautiful that summer.
We left Svartestaden, Lulea, Sweden for Trondheim, Norway to board our boat bound for the United States on our way to Salt Lake City. While in Trondheim, we bought buttons and visited with the missionaries. A steamboat took us across the North Sea to Hull, England. The North Sea was extremely rough while we were crossing and most of the passengers were seasick. My sister, Ida, had her two year old daughter Siri and seven months old son, Nori Jacob Hellstrom to care for during our travels to Salt Lake City to meet her husband.
Hull, England was an awful looking place. The people were most untidy. There was a Swedish boy also traveling to America. He commented that it appeared as if he were a “Mormon” among so many women travelers. My sister, Ida, told him that she and I were “Mormons” and then he surely was surprised.
We traveled to Liverpool, England and rode second class on the S. S. Lusitania to America, in July of 1904. The Atlantic was smooth as a mirror. While on the boat, I played games with the missionaries. I also took care of Siri. My sister, Ida, had a chore with the children, especially with a sick baby. At times it appeared as if she were bossy and cross towards me. When we landed, I was carrying Siri and the immigration officer said that my papers did not show that I had a child with me. Ida spoke up and said that the child was hers. They looked at the contents of our trunks and then let us enter. After landing in Boston, Massechusets, we went by train to Niagara Falls, New York. From Niagara Falls, we went to Chicago, Illinois where we stayed during the day waiting for the train. The people appeared much better mannered here than in England. From Chicago, we traveled to Denver where we bought clothing for the children as we had lost one of the containers at the station where we were being helped.
After leaving Denver, we traveled through the mountains and I thought that they were wonderful and beautiful. When we reached Salt Lake City, Utah, it was very beautiful with many trees. I have always been happy here and have never had the desire to return to Sweden except possibly for a visit.
Arvid Hellstrom met us at the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad depot in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 28, 1904 at 11:00 a.m.. He had rented a place next to Applequist’s. The place was awfully dirty. I had to scrub the floors the first night we were there. They had bought a second hand bed, and I slept on the trunk and chairs. At night the bed bugs started crawling. While traveling, I had caught head lice in my hair and it was an awful job to get rid of them.
Soon after arriving, I went to the employment office to apply for work. A Danish lady at the employment office asked me if I was a “Mormon” to which I answered yes. I was then employed at the Eldredge home. The Eldredges were the parents to Apostle Reed Smoot’s wife. We were required to turn out the lights at 10:00 p.m. and be up at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. Upon arising, the sink would be full of dirty dishes. I was paid $2.50 a week.At the place where May Lou worked, they needed another 2nd girl. I told the Eldredges that I was leaving them for a place where I would receive $4.50 a week. Mrs. Eldredge said they could pay it. When I was about to leave, Mrs. Eldredge threw the last $2.50 due me on a shelf without handing it to me. Mrs. Eldredge was mean towards me. Her daughters got after their mother because of her ways. She was afflicted with arthritis.
I then went to work for Mrs. Downey in their home at 808 East South Temple Street. There were three in this family. Anna Olander also worked here. Mrs. Downey bragged about the girls that worked for her as being the best in Salt Lake City. I was called Bennie in place of my name “Beda”. Everything that I did here was okay. These people were not members of the church. Mrs. Downey’s husband was Major Downey. One day I was asked if I was planning to get married inasmuch as she, Mrs. Downey, had dreamed that I was to be married to a man who owned a house.
The second time I met my husband was at Pehr and Ulla Nelson’s. A group of us Swedish young people were playing games. Dad was it, in the game last couple out. As I was running, dad set out for me. I ran but was caught. We had a good time singing and visiting at the Nelsons. I again me Alfred Erikson in a Swedish meeting. I was afraid he would fall for one of my girl friends.
Linus Thorell was engaged to a Norwegian girl which was broken because he had joined the Church. He was very comical.
One time when the Downey’s were in California, Alfred and Linus Thorell were up for dinner. In the dining room they clowned and acted clumsy. Thorell was going to blow the lights out, and while he blew, Alfred was in the hall where he turned the lights out. We all had a good time over that. On Sundays, we went to the Assembly Hall to meetings. When I shook hands with Thorell, and I let go, he would shake his hand and ask why I squeezed his hand so hard that it hurt. He did this to make Alfred Jealous.
When we moved to our 3075 South State Street (3 room home), I felt somewhat embarrassed when I saw Linus Thorell get into a swell car. One day I met Thorell in town when I had the twins with me. The twins were small. We were standing in front of a saloon and the twins were looking in. He commented jokingly that, one could see where they wanted to go.
It was in April 1906 that I met my husband to be, Svante Alfred Erikson. In Sweden about that time I gave up my boy friend, I had a dream of a man with curly hair and I was told that he was meant for me and he had the same faith as I. This encouraged me very much. At the time I came to Salt Lake City, Alfred was engaged to a girl. He said that he saw me coming into the Swedish meetings, and he thought I looked so happy and rosy cheeked. Well, something came between him and his girl friend so that he was free to get me although we did not know it then. I watched him before I met him. I thought he must be a returned missionary. He looked so nice, but it was not until we started to go steady that I remembered the dream I had in Sweden. Alfred was a Seventy in the Church when I met him and we always saved so that he could go on a mission. He was just the king of boy I wanted. He was faithful, clean in thought and action. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple on the 24th of October 1906 and were blessed with four lovely children: Alvin Ragnar, Alfred Joseph, Hyrum Benjamin, and Ruth Beda. They were well formed babies. Time went by and everything was well in our home at 1045 Pierpont Avenue. We were out of debt with the 72 Gerard Avenue adobe duplex fully paid. Dad bought himself two suits and a bicycle to go to work. He used to come home and hug me and was so loving that it frightened me. I wondered what was going to happen. I hoped that he would never get killed with that bicycle. One evening during the year 1915, Bishop John W. Boud of the Fifteenth Ward called and wanted him to attend a special meeting. After the meeting, he came home and told me that they wanted him to go on a mission to Sweden. This was during the 1st World War. They wanted six men to go and help take care of the Swedish Mission as they had previously called home all missionaries due to the war in Europe. I was rather sickly at that time and people told him it was not right for him to leave me when I was not well and with four small children. He asked me what to do and I told him if he stayed home for my health that I would not live two years but if he went, I would live until he came home. That settled it and he stayed on his mission 2 ½ years. He left on June 26, 1915 and came home January 2, 1918. On May 6, 1918, we moved from 1045 Pierpont Avenue to 3075 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. We first lived in a 3 room frame house which still stands in the rear of our present home on State Street. During the year 1922, we built a new brick house in which we still live. Alvin was then fourteen years of age and he paid for the shingles on the house. He worked for Fredrick Pinchin, a florist at 3391 South State Street. The twins picked cherries and had a paper route so they paid for their school fees and some of their clothing. We had the home paid for when Alvin was 20 years of age. He was called on a mission to Sweden at that time and left in April 1928 and returned home in July 1930. The twins, Alfred and Hyrum were also called to the Swedish Mission in October 1932 and were gone from October 27, 1932 to about July 11, 1935. Ruth left April 1939 to fill a mission in the Northern States Mission and came home in November 1940. This made the 5th mission filled from our family.
I worked in the Religion classes for ten years. I also worked in the Primary Organization of the Church for two years. In September 1930, I was called to work as a first counselor in the Relief Society with Annie Spencer as President of the Relief Society in the Miller Ward. I was her counselor for 11 years. Miller Ward was divided at State Street and with us being on the East side of the street, we were in the Eldredge Ward. Miller Ward took in the homes West of State Street. Mable Bricker was called to be President of Relief Society in the Eldredge Ward and I became 1st counselor in September 1941. In 1942, I was called to be President as Mable Bricker moved from the ward to live elsewhere. I served until 1947 when I was released on account of my health.
On September 27, 1947, my beloved husband died in the L.D.S. Hospital of a heart attack. We had a nice home and worked in unity. The children have always been good to me.
On March 30, 1935, Alvin Ragnar Erikson, my eldest son married Annie Henriette Denstad, a returned missionary from the North Central States Mission. Alfred Joseph Erikson married Marion Davies a returned missionary from the Southern States Mission. Hyrum Benjamin Erikson married Winifred Atkinson who lived in the Hillcrest Ward, Grant Stake. Ruth Beda Erikson married Maurice Myers from Evansville, Indiana of the Northern States Mission. They were all married in the Salt Lake Temple except Ruth who was married in the Logan Temple. My patriarchal blessing says, “You shall be one of the happiest Mothers in Israel on account of the purity of your childrens’ lives. They will be the diadems in they crown if you are faithful to the end.I was the daughter of good and honest parents. They had thirteen children. I remembered mother and father’s kind love and affection towards us.
I have gone through the Temple for nearly 300 names. I had an experience when I first started to go and work in the Temple. One day my grandmother was around me all the time. When we were prepared to go through the veil, I saw an old lady facing me and I looked at her and I thought she looked just like my grandmother. Why was she around me so much today? As I looked at the name for which I was proxy in the Temple that day, it was my grandmothers name. She was a good little woman and mother to thirteen children.
Annie served a mission to the Northwest States which included Minneapolis, Winnepeg. She served about 1929-1930.
Christening Mar 1910 by Bishop Joseph Christenson
Baptized 23 march 1918 by John H. Wheeler
Confirmed 31 March 1918 by Carl C. Burton