MARRIAGE: record Salt Lake County, Utah, Record 14, Number13768, Salt
County Clerk's Office, City & County Bldg. Married 26 Dec 1911 byJohn
Bond, Bishop, 5th Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at
Lake City, Utah. Witnesses: Fred Lindbeck and Magdelena H.DEATH: Obituary Records 42088 of Utah 52 pt 20, Utah AB Drawer, General Section Obituary Deseret News. 13 Jan 1913, Salt Lake City, Utah. Research by Alvin R. Erikson.
Johan Helmer Sandstrom was from Eureka, Juab, Utah.
BIRTH: Ranea Parish Birth rec. GS ser No. 201135, entry 229,Ranbyn,
Norrbotten, Sweden, - 16 Nor 1885, - Alina Kristina Lindback, Tenant
Johnannes Lindback of Ranby and wife, Anna Magdal. Strand. Mother is 27 years.GSF Ser. No. 13475, F Swed. 1, pt 7), Baptized 23 Aug 1918 at Stockhom, Sweden by A. P. Anderson (Swdish Mission President) Confirmed 23 Aug 1918 by A. P. Anderson Record ofMembers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Lulea Branch, Sundsvall Conference, Swedish Mission. Part I. MissionRecs 13415, F Swed 1, pt 7; Record of Members Early to 1922, Libr No.23272, Record of members 1893 to 1904 Libr No. 23271, Records of members No. 41. Research A.R.Erikson, 4 Sep 1965
The surname Lindbeck is spelled Lindbäck in Swedish records and ispronounced in English Lindbeck.
MARRIAGE: Married 26 Dec 1911 by John W. Bond, Bishop 15th Ward, The
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
Witnesses: Fred Lindbeck and Magdelena H. Lindbeck.. Salt Lake
Clerk's Office, City & County Building, Record 14, Number 13768.
Research by A.R. Erikson, 31 Mar 1965.Ranbyn is a farm.
TEMPLE WORK: IGI - Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah,
Ba: H000136, So: 884310-884313, Bapitzed F#: 470996
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, Trokorna, Skaraborg, Sweden. FHL Film #201192, entry 8, Parents Eriksson Erik, Cottager farmer (one who owns a cottage and farms) in Bodahult and Anders Dr. Kristina, Wife, married 11 May 1867. -- 3rd Son, Axel Emil, age of Kristina, 27 years Date of Entry: 17 June 1998
RESIDENCE: Emil Erickson
4608 Pleasant Ave.
Minneapolis,Emigrated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, 17 May 1892. Relatives already were settled there. Became a naturalized citizen in 1896. GS Film 1737821 The eldest brother, Emil, came to America in 1892 before the rest of the family. He settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He came with his mother’s brothers, Karl and Otto Anderson, and several cousins.
!1920 census GS Film 1820839. Axel Emil's name was recorded as Emil E. Erickson. He was a cement finisher.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
Died as an infant.
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, Trokorna, Skaraborg, Sweden. FHL Film 201196, entry 11, Parents Eriksson Erik, Cottager farmer (one who owns a cottage and farms) in Bodahult and Anders Dr. Kristina, Wife, married 11 May 1867. -- 4th Son, Karl August. Kristina's age 28 years. Date of Entry: 17 June 1998
Baptized 1 Aug 1892, Trollhattan, Sweden, by A. O. Johanson
!Confirmed 1 Aug 1892 by C. G. Anderson
!Emigrated 2 May 1895 to Salt Lake City, Utah.OCCUPATION: A Tailor
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
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF KARL AUGUST ERICKSON
(A record of the Erik Erikson family written by Karl August Erickson while living on his forty (40) acre farm he fondly named Rosendal (Valley of Roses) in Archer Ward, Madison County, Idaho. Translated from Swedish by his nephew Alvin R. Erikson in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 10, 1938.
I was born in the lovely home called Stenbron, on Bodahult Estate, where my brothers and I were born. About 1879-1880 the family moved to Stora Bredang, in Bjorke Parish. Brother Emily and I went to Bjorke Folk School. Our teacher was Svante Bjorklund who was related to us on Father’s side. After living here several years, Father sold Stora Bredang and leased a place that lay on the other side of a small river running nearby. While here, we children attended Kolbacken’s Folk School. I was confirmed in the Osaka Lutheran Church by Priest Fjelldal. About this time, I began my apprenticeship in tailoring under Bengt Muvits in Trokorna Parish.
Later, father and the family moved from Skogebo to a place called Haberg Estate where he leased a place call Fahaga. The rent was paid entirely by giving five days labor weekly on Haberg Estate. Emil, Alfred, and Herman took turns in doing the work required before migrating to America.
I didn’t stay at home at this time inasmuch as I was required to stay away from home serving my apprenticeship in tailoring.Alfred, Herman, Matilda, Emma and I became converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commonly called the Mormon Church. I accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ in the year 1892 when I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints on August 1, 1892 by a missionary from Zion, Elder A. G. Johanson from Pleasant Grove, Utah. The baptism took place just below Trollhattan Waterfalls. At that time, I was working as a tailor in the City of Trollhattan.
I was the first of our family to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ known as Mormonism. Shortly thereafter, my brothers and sisters were baptized by the missionaries. Father and Mother were baptized in Archer, Idaho after they came to America. Emil and Anders Johan never became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while they lived. However, Anders Johan would have been baptized a member if his sickness had not ended his life span on earth. While on his death bed, he desired that we be baptized for him which I was able to do for him later in the Salt Lake Temple where blessings, endowments and ordinances for the living and the dead are given and performed.
Brother Emil emigrated to America around 1892 or 1893 settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota where Mother’s brothers Karl and Otto Anderson and several of our cousins were living. I emigrated to America on the 25th day of April, 1895 with Salt Lake City, Utah as my destination. Before leaving Sweden, I had performed missionary labors for The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My missionary labors began January 8, 1894. Alfred emigrated in 1896 and Herman emigrated in 1897 to Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America. Father, Mother, Matilda, Emma, and a neighbor girl, Anna Verner, left Sweden on the 10th day of May 1900 arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah on the 3rd of June 1900. Being recently married, my wife and I were living at 569 East 2nd South Street, Salt Lake City, Utah where our parents stayed with us. We had rented two rooms at this time. Our parents lived with us until the end of the month of July when they traveled to Archer, Idaho with their youngest son, Herman. It was here that I had previously purchased 120 acres of farm land during August of 1899; 40 acres for Herman, 40 acres for Alfred, and 40 acres for myself. This land lay in Archer Ward, which was Fremont County at that time. Part of this county became Madison County in which Archer Ward is now located.
At the time of Mother’s death, my home was in Salt Lake City. I had a four room white brick home built at 377 Fifth Avenue. My wife and I lived here a short time. We sold this place on the 30th day of September 1907 and moved on the 28th of October to our 40 acre plot of land in Archer, Idaho. This land was unbroken and was entirely covered with sagebrush.
On the 26 October 1907, I gave up tailoring for my good employer, O. C. Hansen at 65 West 2nd South Street, Salt Lake City, where I had worked for about 12 years. All the tailors I worked with gave us a farewell party at Hansen’s Shop. That evening at 11:45 p.m. my wife and I left by train for Rexburg, Idaho, arriving there at 11:30 a.m. on the 29 October 1907.
On the 23 November 1907, we moved into a 12 x 12 foot lumber swelling located on our land. We had many hardships and troubles the first part of the time we were there in breaking the land and farming. I do not desire to relive these same experiences or attempt anything like this again, no never.
In the year 1915, my brother Alfred and I were called and labored teaching the gospel as missionaries in the Swedish Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alfred left a few months before I did. I left Archer, Idaho on the 27 November 1915. I traveled through New York City and sailed on the Norwegian Steamer S. S. Kristianiafjord to the City of Bergen, Norway, arriving on 20 December 1915 and then on to Kristiania which city was later named Oslo, Norway. I finally arrived in Stockholm, Sweden at the Swedish Mission headquarters on the 23 December 1915. My brother Alfred and I served on our missions teaching the gospel for over two years. Alfred labored in the City of Gothenburg and I labored in the City Malmo, Skane Province, Sweden. At mission headquarters, in Stockholm, Sweden, we received instruction as to our duties and assigned to our respective fields of missionary labor. President Theodore Tobiason sent me to the Skane Conference or District which took in Skane, Hallan, and Blekinge Provinces in Sweden.
After I had visited a few of my wife’s relatives in the city of Eskilstuna, I went to greet my father.
From my father place, I continued on to Gothenburg, Sweden, arriving there on the 11 January 1916. It was here that I met my brother Alfred, as well as elders Vern Stromberg and Peterson doing their missionary work. I then traveled on to the City of Malmo where I arrived at 12 midnight on the 15 January 1916. No one met me at the railroad station. I was alone, tired, and hungry. The money I had with me had been spent before reaching Malmo, but my good wife soon sent me additional funds to carry on my labors for the Lord. Mission life is wonderful. We must pay our own expenses from our own funds. We traveled and went by foot a good deal while tracting from house to house where we gave out small religious tracts and sold many church books at cost. On 30 Jun 1916, Elder S. P. Nielson and I traveled together to Summer Conference at Mission headquarters in Stockholm where we all received encouragement, instruction, and advice in our missionary duties. During the time we were in Stockholm, we visited many museums of historical interest. We also visited the Stockholm Palace which was a magnificent place to see and admire. Gustaf the 5th was Kin of Sweden at this time.Leaving Stockholm on July 8, 1916 on the way back to Malmo, I visited my wife’s relatives in Eskilstuna and other cities.
My brother Alfred and I served in our respective missionary fields of labor until we were honorable released by President A. P. Anderson, I traveled back to America on the S. S. Bergensfjord from Kristiania (Oslo), Norway on 7 February 1918. Alfred had traveled home to America a few weeks earlier. I arrived in New York City on Monday, 18 February 1918; arrived in Chicago February 23, 1918; reached Salt Lake City on February 28 and Sunday March 3, 1918, I finally arrived at my Rosendal, Archer Ward, Idaho. My wife was not very well when I came home but became better after a short time. I am forever thankful to my wife because she said that I should fill a mission for the Church. She sent me money the whole time that I was away and while she and her brother Bertil were home working and looking after our farm. Her father was also with her for a time. That which my wife has performed for the sake of the gospel is much and the Lord will bless her richly for it. She sacrificed much in the tow year or more that I was serving in the mission field. She has been faithful to her duties in the gospel all her life, having been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since her childhood. During her younger days, she labored for the gospel and its promulgation while she lived in the city of Stockholm, and Eskilstuna, Sweden. The Lord knows that her faithfulness in the gospel is such that she shall be rewarded with blessings.
Well, I was home again after having filled two missions for the Church in Sweden. My first mission was completed before I left Sweden the first time. The second mission being filled from America to Sweden. The total time of both missions was about 3 years 6 months all at my own expense. I have also performed many other church callings and I am now an ordained Seventy having been ordained by B. H. Roberts, in the Presidency of the First Council of Seventy. I was ordained November 18, 1913 in the First Ward Chapel, Rexburg, Idaho. Israel’s God shall have all praise and glory for all that I have received permission to perform in his services. It is now 22 November 1922 and I have labored considerable at farming here in Archer with its many problems and worries.
I was ordained a High Priest November 27, 1917 by High Priest Charles S. Woodward in the Wells Ward Chapel, at which time I resided back in Salt Lake City, Utah at 28 East 17th South Street. I still own the 40 acres farm in Archer, Idaho where my youngest brother, my two sister Tilda and Emma have farms and homes. My brother-in-law, Bertil J. B. Carlstrom, also lives there. We all own farms in the same Archer Ward in Archer, Idaho,
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 1998BIRTH: 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 - Trokorna, Skaraborg, Sweden. FHL Film 201204, entry 34, Parents Eriksson Erik, Brukare (farmer, one who owns a cottage and farms) in Bodahult and Anders Dr. Kristina, Wife, married 11 May 1867. -- 6th Son, Herman. Kristina's 33 years old. Date of Entry: 17 June 1998
Baptized 14 Apr 1895, in Lake Hulsjo. Trollhattan, Sweden by L. F. Christenson.
Confirmed 14 Apr. 1895 by Geo. S. Backman
Emigrated to Utah 18 Apr 1898
Social Security No. 518-14-9362
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.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
HERMAN ERICKSON LIFE by Norman B. Erickson, November 1, 1938
Herman Erickson, was born november 30, 1877, Trokorna Parish, Skaraborg Province, Sweden, the son of Erik Erikson and Kristina Anderson. He was baptised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 14, 1895 in Hullsjo, Sweden and confirmed the same day.
He left Sweden in April of 1898 when twenty-one years of age bound for America to answer the call of the restored gospel. It was the custom in Sweden for the priest (who was Lutheran) to intercede with the king for consent before Herman could leave Sweden.
While crossing the ocean, war broke out with Spain, causing a great deal of excitement among the voyagers. However, the trip was made without a mishap.
Not knowing the English language made living quite miserable for awhile. He was able to procure work from a Mr. Ash, a farmer, of Linden, Utah (near Pleasant Grove) who had a son on a mission. (According to Herman's brother Alfred, Mr. Ash said he was certainly blessed to have Herman come just when he did to work for him.) Herman worked at this place for two years at ten dollars a month. During this time, he learned and mastered enough English to make his wants known. He later received training from his future wife in the English language. A Sunday School teacher in Salt Lake City gave him the Alphabet to study, but Herman said he didn't have time to bother with it. While in Linden, Utah, he helped build their church house.
Dad first came to Archer (then Lyman) in 1900. The first thing he owned was a Barn Wagon which they still have and could still use (Nov. 1, 1938). Herman helped to build in this community, a recreation hall, Church House, school house, Ricks Academy, Rexburg Stake Tabernacle, contributing on an organ for the Archer Ward and finally the construction of the scout house, which was the last addition. Herman had a Mr. Romeish build a fine home and barn which are landmarks of the community.
In 1900, Herman's brother Karl purchased 40 acres for himself;. 35 acres for his brother, Herman; 35 acres for his brother Alfred, and 10 acres for their father, Erik Erikson. Herman has added to his land until he owned over two hundred acres.
A case of Bright's Disease sent Herman to a McFadden Health Institute in Chicago, Illinois where he recovered. As a companion, he had Bert Carlstrom who was almost as a brother. In about 1918, he was quite delireous with the "flu".
While greasing the binder, Dad's fingers went around a cog wheel nearly severing them from the hand when the team moved up.
Herman Erickson married Gladys Edna Blackburn on November 18, 1904 in the Salt Lake Temple. John R. Winder performed the ceremony. Eleven childred were born to this union: H. Eugene, J. Alvin, Henry E., Howard B., Bernarr B., Norman B., Edna, Stanley B., Ada who was accidentally electrocuted on the 7th of April 1929, Olive G., and Phyllis.
A patriarchal blessing was given to him on June 29, 1904.
Although his education was limited (third grade in Sweden, comparable to the eigth grade in America), he reached the position of one of the more successful farmers of his community. Educating himself in the art of agriculture, and in business.
Priesthood, auxiliary and civic positions held by Herman: Deacon, December 4, 1898, Teacher, November 12, 1899, Priest by Geo. Briggs March 26, 1902, Elder by Nephi Johnson April 10, 1904, Seventy by Apostle Anthony W. Ivins December 14, 1913, High Priest by Arthur Porter July 20, 1930. President of the High Priest's Quorum, First Assistant in the Sunday School to Luke Briggs, President of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, Chairman of the Ward Choir, President of Sunnydell Farm Loan Association for twenty-one years, and custodian of Archer Ward Chapel starting about 1918.
HERMAN ERICKSON
By his daughters Edna Briggs & Phyllis Smith
Herman Erickson was the son of Erik and Kristina Anderson Erikson. (When Herman came to America he changed his name from Erikson to Erickson). He was born November 30, 1877 at Stenbron at Bodahult, Trokorna, Sweden. The property of Bodahult Estate was composed of several small farms. This place had been owned by nobility at one time. The home in which Herman was born was called Stenbron on the Bodahult Estate. He was born in the same home in which his father had been born. It was a small house in the woods. It was surrounded by tall firs, beautiful pines as well as the birch, aspen, and other leaf bearing trees and shrubs. Herman’s five older brothers were also born here. They were Ander Johan, Axel Edvard, (died when two weeks old), Axel Emil, Karl August, and Svante Alfred. Two sisters, Matilda and Emma were born at Stora Bredang in Bjork Parish Elfsborge Province, Sweden, where the family later moved. They moved in the year of 1879-1880. The family was growing larger and Herman’s parents decided to buy a larger place. After living there several years his father sold Stora Bredang and leased a place that lay on the other side of a small river, called Skogebo, in Osaka Parish, Elfsborg Province. While living here Herman and his brothers attended Kilbacken’s Folk School. In the summer Herman herded cows for other farmers. The cows kept him pretty busy because the flies really bothered them. He and his brothers went barefoot, even in the wheat stubble and rocks. It was quite painful until their feet toughened up. In the winter they wore wooden shoes. In the spring Herman and his brothers would ‘log roll’ across the river that separated the farms. This was a very dangerous form of sport but boys will be boys. In Skogebo Herman attended school and the school children would fight among themselves just like kids do today. He wasn’t bothered very much because he was larger than most of them. One of the boys at school wanted to have a running race with Herman. His opponent was really tall. His legs seemed to start at his waist. It didn’t seem to help him any though because Herman won the race. Later, Herman’s father and family moved from Skogebo to a place called Haberg Estate. He leased a place called Fahaga. The sons helped pay the rent entirely by giving five days of labor a week. Herman and his brothers took turns in doing the work required before migrating to America. When Herman was 15 years old he attended a Lutheran School to become a member of their church. One day the minister told the students not to get married for if they did they would go to their grave early. Herman didn’t agree with the minister because he knew of many couples who had been married for a long time. One day Herman saw the minister’s wife and thought, ‘My she is ugly. No wonder the minister felt the way he did’. Herman passed the course he was assigned to take. Soon after the Erikson’s moved to Haberg Estate Herman’s brother Karl became acquainted with the Mormon missionaries, and the whole family became interested in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. On one of Karl’s visits home he asked his family if he could bring the Mormon Missionaries to their home and hold a Cottage Meeting. His parents consented and the missionaries came. Herman wasn’t going to listen to the missionaries so he went into his bedroom and shut the door. His curiosity got the better of him and he opened the door a crack so he could hear what they were saying. As he listened he knew what they were saying was the truth because he had heard it somewhere before. A great change took place in Herman’s life from then on. This was the church he wanted to be a member of. He told his parents he had made the decision to quit the Lutheran church. His parents advised him to keep going to church or he would be counted as a heathen. This didn’t bother Herman at all. His mind was made up The people around the area had heard of the Mormons and all their wives and made fun of them. One day Herman was hauling hay for a farmer. The fellow workers knew he was interested in the Mormon Church. They started making fun of him. This made Herman angry. He was on a load of hay and they were throwing the bundles at him. He took it as long as he could, then stuck his fork into the bundles and threw the hay back at them burying them up for awhile. When they crawled out they never made fun of him any more. After accepting the gospel Herman had a sincere inexpressible desire to become united and associated with the Saints. He was baptized a member of the church on April 14, 1895, in Hullajo, Sweden and confirmed the same day. (I remember my Dad saying that he was baptized at night so there would be no on lookers). He was 18 years old. One time he walked many miles in the rain to attend conference at Gotteberg. When he arrived there his collar on his shirt was like a rag around his neck. In order for Herman to come to the United States he had to have the priest (who was Lutheran) to intercede with the ‘King’ for consent to leave Sweden. That was the custom before anyone could leave. His parents gave him the money necessary for the journey to ‘Zion’. He left Sweden on the ship “Furnwisa’ in April of 1898 with a company of saints and missionaries. He was 20 years old. It took nine days to come across the ocean. Spain and the United States were at war and while they were coming across the ocean the Saints on the ship were afraid the ship would be fired upon. The missionaries told everyone the ship would not be harmed because it was an English Ship. The ship landed at New York Harbor through Ellis Island where all emigrants had to go through. Herman went on to Salt Lake City where his brother Karl met him. Karl had come to the United States in 1895 and was a ‘tailor’. Herman’s brother Emil immigrated to America in 1893 settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where several cousins were living. Alfred emigrated in 1896 and settled in Utah. His father and mother and two sisters, Matilda and Emma left for America May 10, 1900 arriving in Salt Lake City June 3rd. Herman’s father and mother became members of the LDS Church after they arrived in Archer. They were baptized by Elder Olaf P. Johanson Sept. 9, 1900. Herman’s brothers Emil and Anders Johan never became members of the church but Anders Johan would have except he became very ill. While on his deathbed, he desired that he be baptized. This work was performed for him in the Salt Lake Temple. Herman went to work for Mr. Ash in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He lived in the Linden Ward. The farmer’s son was on a mission so Herman stayed and worked for him until his son arrived home. Mr. Ash told people that he was certainly blessed to have Herman working for him. He worked for two years at $10.00 a month. During this time he learned and mastered enough English to make his wants known. Not knowing the English language made living quite miserable for awhile. His future wife helped him learn the language better. While living in the Linden Ward he helped build their chapel. (One day as I was sitting with Dad on the couch before he passed away he told me what happened to him when he was working for someone. I can’t recall who it was. He said that the people he worked for did not let him sit at the table with the rest of the family. When they were through eating then Dad could eat. They told him they didn’t have much even though’ the others ate ‘high on the hog. They kept all the good food back in the kitchen and gave Dad crumbs. They had him sleep in the barn. I thought this was a little strange because Herman’s parents treated the missionaries with much respect and care. You would guess that they would want to give the same care and treatment to Herman for all his folks did for their sons. Herman’s brother Karl purchased 120 acres of land in Archer in 1899-forty acres each for Karl, Alfred and himself. It cost $150.00 for forty acres. The only thing found on the land was sagebrush. Herman busied himself clearing the land of sagebrush. He and his brothers had many hardships and troubles in breaking the land to farming. Money was in short supply so Herman decided to go back to Utah and look for work. Bishop O. P. Johanson talked to him and advised him to stay. His advice was taken and Herman went back to pulling sagebrush. It was a good thing he stayed because he became one of the most successful farmers in the community. The first thing Herman owned was a ‘Barn Wagon’ which is still on the farm. He had a Mr. Romeish build a fine two-bedroom home and a barn, which are landmarks of the community. Besides the land obtained by his brother Karl, he added to his holdings until he owned over two hundred acres. Herman’s parents later came to Archer and purchased 10 acres of land where they built a one-room cabin with his help. The brothers were very happy to have their parents with them. However, this happiness didn’t last very long. Their mother became very ill. From the rigors of traveling over land and sea she had become weakened and suffered severe colds and much coughing. Emma, the youngest was summoned to come from Salt Lake and take care of her. After five months Mother Erikson died, Dec. 14th 1900 at the age of 56. Her grave is in the Archer Cemetery where her grandchildren and great-grandchildren go every year to pay homage to her. She was a great woman and made many sacrifices to be a member of the church. Shortly before their mother passed away she had a very remarkable vision or experience as she lay on her deathbed. She thought that there was a man who walked around her bed and promised that he would take her cough away and she was so sure of it. About this time, Patriarch Liljenquist came and anointed her with holy consecrated oil and blessed her. Two days later she died quietly and peacefully. (taken from Uncle Karl’s history) Several years later Emma, and Matilda came to Archer and made their home with Herman for awhile. Herman’s father returned to Sweden about three years later because of homesickness. He returned to Archer and stayed for several years then went back to Sweden for the second time. He died there the 26th of April 1917. He was 74 years old It is interesting to note that Herman’s father paid all of his own funeral expenses and had $600.00 left. Each of his children inherited about $100.00 each. At the time of his death his two sons, Karl and Alfred were on missions in Sweden at the same time and were able to attend his funeral. The only thing found on the land at Archer was sagebrush. Herman busied himself clearing the land so it would be farmable. There just didn’t seem to be any money around so he decided to go back to Utah and look for work. Bishop O.P. Johanson talked him into staying. Herman took his advice and went back to pulling sagebrush. In order to obtain extra money Herman worked on the Danish Ditch and later became President of the Danish Ditch Co. It is now known as the Sunnydell Irrigation.. Herman helped build the Ricks College Administration Building. His job was to help carry mortar for the bricklayers up on the scaffolds. There was no way for him to get back and forth from his work so he just stayed in Rexburg, sleeping on a bedroll out in the sagebrush at night. This building is known as the Spori building and is still standing today. (At this point in time they are wondering what they should do with the building-preserve it or tear it down. (1999). The first building on campus was a log cabin built in 1888. Herman served as first Counselor in the Sunday School when Archer was first organized as a ward in 1902. A few years later he was sustained as President of the Y.M.M.I.A. He was a great leader for the young people in both organizations. In the year 1904, Herman became acquainted with a young lady by the name of Gladys Edna Blackburn, from Brigham City, Utah. She visited her older sister, Lulu, many times who was the wife of Charles O. Jeppson. On one of these visits she went to church and met Herman who was impressed with her beauty and charm and fell in love with her and proposed marriage. The young lady must have been smitten with Herman’s fine qualities and good looks too. She went home to Brigham City to prepare for a marriage. Herman took a train from Thornton to Brigham City where he was met by his bride to be and her father, Bishop Thomas H. Blackburn. From there they went to Salt Lake City. These two wonderful people were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple Nov. 18th, 1904. He was 27 and Gladys was 18. On their return home, Bert Carlstrom, met them at the train. When they arrived in Archer he had prepared a delicious meal for them. Bert was a brother-in-law to Herman’s brother Karl, and he was a very dear and close friend. Gladys was a good helpmate and companion. She not only did housework and prepared meals she helped in the fields when she could. Their first child, a son, was born October 11, 1905. His name was Herman Eugene. Ten more children came to bless this union, Joseph Alvin, Henry Erick, Howard Blackburn, Bernarr Blackburn, Norman Blackburn, Gladys Edna, Stanley Blackburn, Ada, (she was accidentally electrocuted on the 7th of April, 1929) Olive Gladys, and Phyllis. Nine years after their marriage Herman had a case of Bright’s Disease. He went to the Bernarr McFadden Health Institute in Chicago, Illinois where he recovered. His good friend Bert Carlstrom accompanied him. When their 5th son was born they named him Bernarr. One day while working on the farm, Herman was greasing the binder and his fingers went around a cogwheel nearly severing them from his hand. The team of horses that were hitched on the binder had suddenly moved ahead a little. Thank goodness no more harm was done. Living on a farm had so many hazards that it is a miracle they could survive some of them. Bulls were a problem, ornery cows, and stubborn horses and miscalculations were a problem every day. When Henry was a youngster he enjoyed playing with the family dog. One day they noticed it was acting strange. Herman talked to the County Physician about it and wondered if it had rabies. The physician said it couldn’t be rabies because there wasn’t any rabies around. One of their cows was acting peculiar so they shot it. One of the heifers started foaming at the mouth. One of the horses would hold its head in the air and make funny noises. It soon died. Henry continued playing with the dog but it did not harm him. One day it ran at one of the older boys with his eyes glowing, so they had to shoot it. It made them all wonder if the world was coming to an end because of the strange behavior of the animals. Although Herman’s education was limited he was highly regarded as one of the more successful farmers of the community. He educated himself in the art of agriculture and in business. He made a great name for himself and people all over the area came to him for advice. He was well respected and admired for his integrity. In 1918 Herman and Gladys and their six sons and daughter moved from their old homestead to where Olive and Eddie now live. It was only a two-roomed house. Herman added a basement, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. A Delco light plant was installed in the basement, which furnished light for the home as well as the old rock church house. He later helped to bring electricity into the Archer area in 1925-26. In the spring of 1939, Herman was elected as a director in the Madison, Teton Loan Association and was given a beautiful framed tribute in appreciation of his long-standing services to the community. He organized the first group known as the Sunnydell Farm Loan Association and was the only President for 20 years. After that three counties joined in what is now the Idaho Land Bank Association. The following information was taken from the records of a former Bishop of Archer, Bsp. O.P. Johanson. A.P. Young and others asked the Bishop if they formed a company and built an amusement hall if it would be all right. The Bishop at that time was George Briggs Jr. He gave his OK and told them that they should go ahead with it. In 1911 the Tabernacle for the Stake was being built in Rexburg and the Bishopric did not feel that they could take the responsibility of raising funds for the two buildings. The Archer Amusement Company was formed with four Squires’ two Youngs’ Herman, George Weekes, Roger Millward, and Carl Johnson. Herman later became sole owner of the hall. Many enjoyable times were had there. C.M. Squires drew the plans for Ricks Academy and also was the architect for the Hall. Henry and DeVeda had their wedding reception here and this is where Phyllis sang her first solo. The following news item appeared in the Rexburg Journal in the fall of 1937. “Erickson Hall at Archer is being torn down and the material will be used for other buildings. For 28 years it has been the place of amusement for young and old” (The shingles were used for years to start early morning fires both in the church and Scout House and at home.) Besides Herman’s civic and community undertakings he held many positions in the church. He was ordained a Deacon, Dec. 4th 1898, Teacher, Nov. 12th, Priest by Geo. Briggs, March 26th 1902, Elder April 10th, 1904, Seventy by Apostle Anthony W. Ivins, Dec. 14th 1913, High Priest by Arthur Porter, July 20th 1930. Herman was President of the High Priest’s Quorum, Chairman of the Archer Ward Choir for years and years. He was first assistant in the Sunday school, President of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association, President of the Sunnydell Farm Loan Association for 21 years, and custodian of Archer Ward Chapel since about 1918. (Around 67 years). That’s quite a record. As well as cleaning, many hours were spent keeping fires going and putting props up for Ward and School plays and other functions. When the Scout House was added Herman kept that up too. (At this time the old Scout House is in Heise above the pool on a hill that overlooks the area. Melvin and Phyllis had their wedding party there before it was moved.) We are all proud of the heritage our parents have given us. Their lives have been examples of industry, thrift, honesty, service, unselfishness, integrity, stick-to-itivness, trust and loyalty. Herman had a strong testimony of the gospel and was a believer in prayer. He taught his children through quietness and never through harsh words. Their home was always open to friends, relatives, and strangers. They were known as “Uncle Herman and Aunt Gladys” to everyone. Herman’s hair was beautifully white and wavy. The little kids thought he was Pres. David O. McKay. The last words spoken by Herman were to his Great Granddaughter, ArLana Youmans as her parents were leaving to go to North Carolina. He smiled at her and said, ‘Nice baby’. Herman was the last surviving member of his family. He passed away quietly at his home, Sept the 4th, 1970. He would have been ninety-three in Nov. 1970 In 1944 Herman had given each one of his children 20 acres of land or property as their inheritance. He requested that the land always be kept in the family and as of this date, 15 years later, all of the land he had is still in the family. How many farmers give land to their kids without any strings attached. He wanted each one treated equally.
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I am going to say a few words about my Dad. There is hardly a day goes by but what I think about this great, kind, gentleman. Tears well up within my eyes just thinking of the sacrifice he made to come to America and the hard, hard work he did on the land to get it ready for farming. He wasn’t a complainer or a quitter. He helped to make Archer what it is today. He had the first Holsteins, the first electricity, the first radio, the first player piano, the first phonograph and he always provided his family with the things they needed. His hobby was ‘work’. He always did his best no matter what. His rows of plowed ground were straight like his character. He was a man whose ‘word was as good as his bond’. I’ll never forget the happy hours spent listening to him sing as I played his part on the organ or piano or combing his hair as he read the evening paper or the walks down the lane to the ‘Old Place’. To me-next to the president of the church or nation there is not a greater man than ‘My Dad’. (The poem enclosed explains my Dad to a ‘tee’.) (Edna put together Dad’s history and Phyllis added a few things)
Gladys Edna Blackburn Erickson
By her daughters Edna Briggs & Phyllis Smith
Gladys Edna Blackburn, daughter of Thomas Henry Bark Blackburn and Roxcy Lucina Bigler, was born September 1, 1886 at Brigham City Utah, Box Elder County. She was born Sept. 1, 1886 at Brigham City, Utah. She was the sixth child in a family of nine. Her brothers and sisters are Roxcy Lucina (Lulu), Thomas Henry, Joseph Gerald, Claudius Eugene, Genevieve Ann, Alva Jepthah, Alice Leal, and Geraldine. The following note appeared in the ‘Salt Lake Herald’ written by Gladys’ father: A NEW ARRIVAL Editor, Herald.-An immigrant arrived at this port the other day, and is being at present detained on her journey, owing to not being in a condition to help herself. On landing, she was found to be entirely destitute of money and clothing, not having even shoes or stockings. It is not likely at present that she will be sent back to the old country, as her journey hither has rendered her too feeble. Her weight on arrival, was ten pounds, and until she is able to help herself, it is expected that she will be watched over and comfortably provided for by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Henry Blackburn. She is number six that has arrived at this same port in about the same condition, and through good treatment all are still living and apparently well prepared to continue their journey through this state of mortality. Yours, etc., Thomas Henry Blackburn. Gladys was born into a religious family where prayers were said and ‘going to church was a privilege and opportunity for testimonies to grow. Love was abundant and everyday life was filled with work and great times. Gladys had a natural gift of music and took music lessons at a young age. Before she was 6 years old she would come home from Sunday School- sit down at the piano and play by ear all the songs she had heard that day. She was envied by all her sisters because they couldn’t play the piano like she did. As she grew older her favorite pieces on the piano were the‘Black Hawk Waltz,” also “Ben Hur Chariot Race.” They were both hard to play but she mastered them both beautifully. She loved to play and sing ‘Down Went McGinty. Her mother sang in the ward choir and her younger sisters loved to sing too. They always had music in the home. As a young child Gladys and her sister Genevieve contracted the dreaded disease of diphtheria. Serum was made available to them and their lives were spared. Gladys’ favorite friend was Millie Boden. She was a favorite to all the family. In the summer she would come to visit early in the morning and stay all day. They didn’t know if she had a coat or not because she always wore a shawl. One of Gladys’ jobs was to comb Leal and Geraldine’s hair every morning. She pulled so hard that by the time their hair was combed they were out in the street but she got the job done. When Gladys was 12 years old her mother passed away. Her Mom had a bad fall that resulted in the birth of a stillborn baby and blood poisoning set in. A doctor was called from Ogden and he did all he could to help her but in vain. She died at the age of 42. Before she passed away there were two grandma’s living in their home-- Nancy Ann Keller the 4th wife of Jacob G. Bigler, Roxcey Lucina Elliot Keller, first wife of Alva Keller. They were living in the Blackburn home because of polygamy persecution. Four generations were living under one roof and living happily. This family of Blackburns really demonstrated well the commandment “Honor Thy Father and Mother”. The grandmothers did all they could to help, but because of their health and age it made quite a burden for them. Two of Glady’s mother’s cousins Juliana and Edna Lambson became the wives of President Joseph F. Smith. Gladys knew Joseph F. Smith as Uncle Joseph. At times he had visited in their home. Gladys’ Grandfather, Jacob G. Bigler’s sister, Bathsheba, was the fourth General President of the Relief Society organization. She was married to George Albert Smith 25th.July 1841. She died 14th August 1910. Thomas Henry remarried, June 13, 1900 to Alvira Reese. She was a schoolteacher in her early 40’s. The children all grew to love her. They called her “Aunt Vie” A year later a daughter was born to them whom they named “Elva”. Everyone was so proud and happy with this little new addition to the family. Needless to say there were plenty of willing baby sitters. Thomas Henry went on a mission to England. There were 6 children at home during this time. His letters to his home were full of love and anxiety for his family. He gave words of counsel, advice and encouragement. When Gladys was in school her older sister, Lulu, was her teacher. One day Lulu asked her to do something in class. Having a stubborn streak she said she wouldn’t do it and sat down on the floor. She thought she didn’t have to obey her sister. (who has a little of this in their systems)? Gladys had a principal she didn’t think much of either. He must have given her a mean look sometime or another. She said she wasn’t going to go back to school anymore but with a little persuasion from a stick she went back the next morning. The girls had to pick peaches when they were in season. They also had grapes, pears, apples, cherries, apricots, raspberries, dewberries, currents, gooseberries and strawberries to provide work and provisions for a large family. They always had a large garden so everyone had a job to perform. They had walnut trees in front and so had plenty of nuts to cook with or just eat for the fun of it. They hung up their stockings at Christmas. Her Dad kept the presents in the store until Christmas Eve and then the older girls got to help carry them to the house. This was an exciting time of year. Gladys graduated from the eighth grade. She was five feet and four inches tall. She had dark brown eyes and dark brown hair. (Her hair didn’t have much grey in it at the time of her death). She used to wear her hair in a ‘bob.' Her hair was so long she could sit on it. As she grew older she kept it shorter. She truly was a beautiful woman. Many of Gladys’ descendants inherited her dark eyes. Most of her children had brown eyes except Eugene, Edna and Ada. They were blue like Herman’s. Her favorite food was bread, milk and cheese. Aunt Leal said it was a favorite with the whole family. Gladys was pleasingly plump and Aunt Leal said Gladys would not wear a corset. It was the style but she would not indulge in the ‘fad’. She hated them. Like her Mother, her disposition was of a jovial disposition and loved a good clean joke. Gladys’ oldest sister, Lula, was married to Charles O. Jeppson and they lived in Idaho. Whenever their sister Lula was expecting a new baby, their father would let one or two of them come to Archer, Idaho, to help their sister. It was on one of these trips that Gladys met Herman Erickson at church. Her sister Leal said she remembers Herman coming to get Gladys in a horse and buggy. They all thought he was so handsome. Herman must have thought Gladys was beautiful and charming that summer of 1904 when Gladys came to visit her sister Lula. He must have proposed to her because she went back to Brigham City to prepare for marriage. They were married November 18, 1904 in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent their entire married lives in Archer and brought forth eleven children to bless their home. They are Eugene, Alvin, Henry, Howard, Bernarr, Norman, Edna, Stanley, Ada, Olive, and Phyllis. Six boys were born before they had a girl. Herman was 27 years old and Gladys was 18. Shortly after they were married Gladys walked over to where her sister Lula lived. She was gone for an hour or two just enjoying her visit with her sister. Herman and Bert thought she had been gone long enough. They hitched up the horses to the buggy and took Glady’s suitcases to her. Mom got the hint so she went back with them. Gladys not only kept her home clean and meals prepared, but she helped with the farm work when needed. When babies were born during these years they did not have enough doctors available so midwives assisted in the births. Margaret Briggs assisted Gladys with nine of her children’s births. A month after Eugene was born; Gladys was sustained as 3rd. President of the Archer Ward Primary. She served in this position for three years. Gladys was organist of the Relief Society for seventeen years and four months. She was Secretary of the Relief Society for twenty-one and a half years. Part of this time her sister Lula was President of the Relief Society. She was also a Sunday school Teacher. Having her children during this time didn’t stop her from doing her church work. She possessed a firm testimony of the Gospel. She never asked to be released when her children were born. Herman always had the team hooked up and ready for her so she could get to her meetings. Gladys kept good records of the family births, blessings, ordinations, baptisms and marriages which has been a blessing to the family for genealogy purposes. Mom kept a lock of hair of each child and put it in a locket box to give to them later as a memory. If anyone wanted information we would go to Mom’s blue book with an elastic band around it. Gladys and Herman lived in a log cabin just south of where the homestead is now. Herman and his father built it. It had two rooms. After the family moved to the present location the home was used to store grain. This is the place where all the harvesting of hay and grain took place for many years. This was called “The Old Place”. The new home had only two rooms for 9 people. Herman added on a basement then living room, kitchen and a porch. When electricity arrived he added a bathroom. The boys slept in the barn above the cows and horses. Their rooms were warmed in the winter by the heat from the animals below. The house was still not big enough for 13 people. If the barn could talk it would have many stories to tell about the boys. Aunt Geraldine and Aunt Leal liked to come to Archer whenever a need arose. They met their future husbands here, married and settled down close to their sisters. Aunt Leal married Clarence Cheney and Aunt Geraldine married Carl Johnson. Gladys’ father made many trips to Idaho to see his daughters. Work began on a new church across the street from the Erickson home in 1913 and was completed in 1919. It was made of rock. There were no drinking fountains or telephones or inside toilets. The children and adults used ‘outhouses’ but a lot of the time they came to the Erickson home to use their facilities. Someone commented one day, “Gladys I just can’t understand how you can put up with this on Sundays and with kids all over the place on Primary days.” Gladys just smiled and said, “I don’t mind”. Whenever a new baby was born in the ward Gladys would have the boys hitch up the horses to the buggy or wagon. Many times Gladys took the younger children with her to visit the Mother and see the new baby. She always took a 2 qt. Bottle of fruit or jam for the family. Her children enjoyed playing with the other children so it was something they looked forward too. Gladys had a wonderful sense of humor and understanding. The neighbors and friends loved to be around her to hear her wonderful philosophy. If any were sad when they came to visit, by the time they left they were smiling and laughing. Many times she didn’t feel good herself, but she didn’t say anything about her problems. Her children liked to confide in her too because they knew she would understand and never make fun of them no matter how trifle their problems were. They knew they could trust her not to tell others. Gladys did ironing for her neighbors whenever they were sick and stayed overnight with them when necessary. Their home was always open to anyone. One time Gladys and Herman felt sorry for some missionaries of another faith. They invited them into their home for meals. Later on these men helped in the fields. They were called ‘Wagon Missionaries because they lived in an old sheep camp. With all the kindness they received they still were not converted to Mormonism. Who knows maybe a seed was planted. Gladys and Herman had a hugh raspberry patch. They invited neighbors to come and pick on ‘shares’. The rows were so long you wondered if you would ever get to the end. Raspberry shortcake was a favorite of all. The people who came to help in the harvests enjoyed the berries too. Herman owned a small wheat grinder run by a gasoline engine in the top of the barn where the boys slept. The neighbors would bring their grain to have it ground. Many times Gladys served whole wheat mush for breakfast but the best breakfasts ever were hotcakes and at other times rice pudding. She could make the best of everything even whole wheat flour mush. She was known all over the area for her whole wheat bread. She baked 12 loaves of bread every other day. It didn’t last long. As soon as it came out of the oven the boys were there with butter and honey ready to have one of the best treats they could ever imagine. Herman could make bread too on occasion. When Henry and Howard were younger they helped with chores around the house and helped with baking and cooking. Eugene and Alvin helped their Dad in the field. When Edna was older she helped her Mom with the cooking and all the boys worked outside. Gladys and Herman were the first to have a phonograph, player piano, and radio. Many people came to listen to all three. Herman had the first Holstein cows in the country. He almost had the first of everything. Herman rented some of his ground that was still in sagebrush to Elof Nelson to keep his Bee’s and beehives. The family called this place the ‘Wild Cat College’. At one time there had been a school on this property. Mr. Nelson gave the folks ten gallons of honey each fall for the rent. The children ate so much honey that during a particular winter they broke out with a rash. Gladys took one of the children with her to the doctor. She was informed the child had the seven-year itch. The doctor said consuming too much honey would cause the rash and itching. You can bet the children let up on their honey intake. They certainly didn’t want to itch for seven years. The kids at school razed them. The rash and itch soon cleared up and they didn’t pass it on to anyone else. When electricity was just new in Archer, Herman bought Gladys a Maytag Washer. It was a welcome item to the household. No more taking turns pushing and pulling the wooden handle on the old tub washer. Gladys invited Geraldine to come and do her washing. The children always enjoyed those wash days playing with cousins. She also had Aunt Emma come and do her washing until they could get electricity. Aunt Emma’s husband, Elisha Grover had an icehouse where they stored ice for summer use. So on wash days everyone enjoyed Mom’s home made ice cream. Mom was a pro at making vanilla ice cream. Aunt Emma helped Gladys with her sewing. She was also really good at cutting the girls and boys hair too until Eugene took over. When Herman harvested grain the threshers came and Emma let her older girls come to help with the cooking. Emma could see Mom needed help with all the men to feed. Aunt Matilda and Uncle Hilary had one of the first cars. It was a model ‘T’. When Uncle Hilary was learning to drive it you had to make sure you were off to the side of the road when you saw him coming. Someone told Phyllis that one time Herman broke his arm or leg (can’t remember) and Aunt Matilda came to take him to the doctor in their car. The doctor put a cast on and sent him home. When Herman got home he tore the cast off and went to work in the field. Norman said the first family car was a 1917 Studebaker. Bert, his neighbor had to crank it for them to get it started. In 1932 Dad purchased a model ‘a’ Ford. During school days the children felt fortunate living so close to the school. When lunchtime came they could go home for nice warm meal that was always waiting for them. Herman had twelve or more cows so everyone had all the milk they could drink. They made butter and cottage cheese out of the cream. They butchered their own meat. Gladys bottled it and made sausage and hamburger and stored it in big crockery containers in grease. She stored these in the basement. She made scrumptious Chow Chow. She did lots of canning and made trips to Brigham City for peaches every summer. She stocked up on walnuts too. The children were kept busy in the winter cracking them. When Gladys was expecting her 11th child she didn’t tell her sisters Leal and Geraldine. Both of them were pregnant also. One day they were visiting with Gladys and complaining about how miserable they felt. Gladys didn’t feel so good either but she didn’t let them know. The next morning Gladys called them to tell them of the safe arrival of another baby. Gladys said that sometimes there is an advantage to being plump. Aunt Lula would let her older daughters help whenever Gladys needed help with cooking, washing, and tending the children. She lived quite close too. Many choir parties were held at their home. A big swing was popular for grandkids and cousins. By this time Herman and Gladys had water in their home but Aunt Lulu still had the fascinating well outside. Sometimes it was fun to have to carry water into the house. When Mom was quilting one day in Relief Society there was two Stake Board visitors present. No one was talking. Gladys decided to see if she could help everyone feel more at ease. Gladys said, “Did any of you know that Lindbergh (who flew over the Atlantic Ocean) had to have an operation after flying across the ocean?” Everyone said, “He did. What was his trouble?” Gladys answered, “He passed too much water.” The two Stake Board members didn’t crack a smile, but knowing Gladys the sisters in the ward started laughing. It eased the tension and everyone started visiting. Norman tells about a woman visiting in Relief Society. She came in wiping her nose. She was trying to find her hankies she had tucked in her bosom. In desperation she said ‘I thought I had two when I came in.’ The MIA put on lots of plays. In one play Gladys and sister Hacking were Negro (black) mammies. They did their parts really well. When Gladys went home to nurse her baby the baby started screaming. With all that black stuff on her face the baby did not recognize her mother. Gladys had to turn the light off in order to quiet the baby down before she would have anything to do with her. When Phyllis was three years old she had an accident with some hot boiling fudge that Edna was making. The handle was easy for her to reach and she pulled it down from off the electric stove. The boiling mass went all over her face. Gladys took many precautions and washed as much syrup from her face as she could with soda water, then put consecrated olive oil on. It left a very small scar on her face but went on down to her neck where it left quite a scar. Phyllis does not like to wear low-necked dresses or shirts. It was about this time Henry was called to go on a mission to Sweden, the place of his father’s birth. The Bishop then was James R. Smith. Herman said that while Henry and Norman were on their missions his cows gave more milk than any other time. The money made from the sale of the milk kept them on their missions. Henry was on his mission when his little seven-year-old sister was accidentally electrocuted when an electric heater toppled into the bathtub where Ada was taking a bath. The heater was being used to heat the bathroom. It sat on top of the washing machine. Just minutes before all four girls were in the tub together. She died instantly. Isabel Nelson, a nurse, was summoned to give her mouth to mouth resuscitation but to no avail. It happened on a Sunday morning about 8:a.m. It wasn’t long before friends, and neighbors were on the scene offering any assistance that was needed. Ada was seven and in the first grade. Her teachers were Talitha and Alvin Teuscher, Antone Romney, his wife and Ollie Davis. These same teachers taught Olive and Phyllis, too. Ada was a very good student. She was obedient, neat and clean. When they cleaned her desk at school it was full of handkerchiefs. She had many friends but Doris Carlstrom was especially her favorite. She was missed by all. Henry knew that something had happened at home and could feel Ada’s presence with him. (Mom said in a letter to Henry that Phyllis expected Ada to come back with him when he came home from his mission. Herman and Gladys taught their children the value of work. It was a practice of Herman and the boys to take a nap after dinner. They would sprawl out on the front room floor or out on the lawn in the summer time. Gladys taught her daughters to clear the table right after each meal, and sweep the floor before going off to play. In the evening when the chores were done the boys enjoyed boxing. They had two pairs of gloves. They were given to the boys by Grandpa Blackburn. He also gave the family a crokinole (carom) board. Many fun times were had playing this game around the kitchen table in the wintertime. They played Dominoes too and Old Maid. This was the only card game allowed in our home. The girls as well as the boys played marbles. The boys became good wrestlers also. When Dad bought the player piano for Mom my how the whole family enjoyed its wonderful music. All you had to do was pump the pedals and the most melodious music would eminate from the ivories. The children would gather around the piano and sing along to the words written on the paper rollers. The song that got played the most was “In the shade of the old apple tree”. Herman finally got rid of some of the paper rollers because the kids wouldn’t practice their lessons on the piano. When Gladys became depressed or just plain irritated with all the noise she wouldn’t scold but quietly leave the house and go for a walk. When she came back a little later she felt refreshed and in good spirits. The children soon realized why she came up missing at times and would try to quiet down by the time she came back. In the evenings Herman would play his violin. The children enjoyed listening to him play their favorite tune, “Pop goes the Weasel”. Gladys played the piano while Herman sang. He was always singing his Old Swedish songs. This was pure heaven when they were singing and playing together with the rest of the family joining in. Gladys taught the boys how to play one little piece on the piano with one finger called “A Plump Little Robin”. Alvin was the first to be married. He married Althea Haws August 20th. 1927. Their first child and Gladys and Herman’s first grandchild was born premature and because of complications he only lived to be a month and 8 days old. A year later their second child (Maurine) was born. Whenever they came to see the family they had plenty of baby sitters for her. They all had to take turns, even Grandma. Henry and DeVeda Nelson were married next on Jan. 24 1929 Bernarr and Mattie (Martha) Jackson were married next on Bernarr’s birthday Nov. 15 1933. Eugene and Viola Rawls were married on Herman’s birthday, Nov. 30th. 1934. Howard and Frona Rawls were married on Sept.12, 1941. Norman and Bessie Small married on April 10, 1936. Edna and Earl Briggs married on April 9, 1941. Stanley and Ethelyn Thompson married on April 3, 1946. Olive and Eddie Smith married civilly and then sealed in the temple on Aug 28, 1951. Phyllis and Melvin Smith were married on Sept 18, 1946. All children married in the temple. This kept Herman and Gladys busy for a few years. They got to take a lot of trips to the temples. This is a dream all parents have of seeing their children marry in the right way and in the right place. All the grandchildren loved their grandparents dearly. Whenever Eugene’s, Bernarrs or Norman’s kids came up missing they knew where to find them. They were always at Mom and Dad’s. Gladys had health problems later in life. Doctors didn’t know how to control high blood pressure. For 4 or 5 years she was quite miserable. One thing the doctor told her was to lose weight which helped her a lot. Someone told her that garlic pills would help her. She took them for awhile but they made her breath smell. She wouldn’t take them when she knew she had to go somewhere. She went to Dr. Green in Rexburg (chiropractor) and the adjustments he gave helped her to relax and brought her blood pressure down. In June 1941, Gladys, Herman, Phyllis, Edna and Earl went on a trip by car to visit Alvin and Althea and family at Magee. Edna and Earl said it was their honeymoon. They had a most wonderful time. Alvin took them for rides through the mountains and trees in his four wheel-drive jeep. They went through creeks, steep hillsides and the fishing was unbelievable. In one place all you had to do was reach down in the water and grab a fish if you could hang onto it. They were so thick in the streams. They had to make sure a game warden wasn’t watching. The altitude at Magee was higher and made Gladys feel light and airy. She and Herman walked to the top of a mountain close by Alvin’s. Gladys said she hardly got out of puff. Mom suffered a stroke at her home Jun e 30th. 1942. Dr. Green was called in but he could not help her. She lived 21/2 days. She never regained consciousness. Her son Alvin was called home from Magee. The rest of the family that lived close came and sat with her. Alvin arrived on the second day. Her two sisters, Leal and Geraldine were there to help. The next morning she died, July 2, 1942. She was 55 years old and would have been 56 in two months. Her little daughter Ada preceded her in death. She left her husband and 10 children. Gladys and Herman had 19 grands at this time. Gladys was missed very much by her husband, family, grandchildren, friends and relatives. We know she is going forward beside Dad to prepare a place for all of us to return to. It’s my prayer we will remember the lessons taught us and the examples they have given us. They are happy where they are and are waiting for the time when we will all be together again. This really gives us something to strive for. At this time Eugene, Alvin, Henry, Bernarr, Stanley and Ada have passed on to the other side. Althea, Deveda, Mattie, Ethelyn, Eddie, and Earl have all passed on too. As of this date March 28, 1999, Herman and Gladys have 554 descendants. With their eleven children they have 56 grandchildren, 240 great grandchildren, 233 great- great grandchildren and 14 great- great- great grandchildren and lots more on the way. We were blessed to have such a good loving, caring Mother. There aren’t words to express our gratitude for all the things she did for us and for the things she stood for. We all inherited many talents that we have used throughout all our lives and now we can see them coming through in our Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren.
Anna Matilda Eriksson Payn: Diary " I was baptized Saturday, 5th of August 1899 by Elder John W. Larson and confirmed a member in the church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints on the 6th August 1899 by Elder Alfred Andersson (married to Hackings sister) in Trollhattan, Sweden.
BIRTH: Civil Register, Bjorke, Alvsborg, Sweden. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158, FHL Film 200787, entry 8, Parents Erik Eriksson, a bonde (famer) and Kristina Anders Dr. of St. Bredang. Kristina age, 36 yrs. -- Dotter, Anna Matilda 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: 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
Ernest Payn 8-9-09 Archer, Idaho. Baptized 7-16-21 Married Irene Dexter Payn 6-9-36 Superior Wyoming. Endowed 19 May 1942.
Social Security No. 519-64-2887
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANNA MATILDA ERIKSON PAYN: On the 10th day of November 1899, I bought my diary book from a door to door salesman.
When Matilda was 10 years old in Sweden, one evening she went out to the barn to do the milking. She was milking one cow when it suddenly decided to kick and fidget. Mother tried to make it stand still, but it wouldn’t mind. This made her plenty angry so she up and whammed loose at the cow with her foot. Her wooden shoe came off, however, and hit the top of the barn with a dull thud. When the atmosphere had cleared of straw and dirt, to mother’s amazement she saw a packet of letters laying at her feet and upon investigation found them to be love letters of a girl who had lived on this place before grandfather, Erik Erikson bought it. This ends the tale of the wooden shoe episode.
O Sweden, you are my dearest homeland, May I never forget my father's home.
So dear, near, and grand, I remember my mother so kind.
Our home was warm and good, secluded and beautiful she stood.Anna Verner, a neighbor girl returned home from Stockholm on Thursday, 22 Feb. 1900 On Wednesday, 27 March 1900, we moved temporarily to Verner's, inasmuch as we had previously completed arrangement to emigrate to United States.
Saturday, 31 March 1900, Emma and I walked to Kryklehult, and visited all our relatives in Trokorna. We also walked home over a distance of several miles.
Sunday, 8 April 1900, Anna visited Selma. It snowed that afternoon making it unpleasant outdoors.
Saturday, 14 April 1900, Mama and Papa walked towards Trokorna. 18 April 1900, the weather began to be good and it was grand outdoors.
Monday, 30 April 1900, Papa traveled to Gothenburg, and returned home on Thursday evening.
1 May 1900, it snowed and the weather was terrible.
2 May 1900, the weather was grand.
Saturday, 5 May 1900, I and Anna bade farewell to Sara Werner. Mama, papa and I visited Grastorp, Sweden and Augusta’s for the last time.
On Sunday, we were home for the last time at Fahaga. We bade farewell to the Ting’s.
Sunday, 6 May 1900. We all went to Flo Church for the last time except Papa who went to Tengened Church. He also went to Eklanda and bade farewell to our aunts who were sick.
Monday, 7 May 1900, we baked lunch bread and packed our trunks. The weather was good today.
10 May 1900, we left home at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. Karl and Anders took us to Trollhattan where we arrived at 7:15 a.m. We left Trollhattan at 10:30 a.m. after visiting the missionaries in Trollhattan, the missionaries (Anderson and Quint) who took us to the boat. We met Anna Verner in Trollhattan.
Thursday at 2: a.m. we arose to get ready for traveling. We had previously set the clock to ring. Anna awakened first, Augusta arose first, and then I; later Emma and then papa and mama, and then we organized ourselves. Then Karl came in and had coffee and food. We put our coats on and said adjo (good-bye). Manda cried. Augusta followed us to Nygal. Emma, Anna, and I went in at Nygal and bade farewell. Anders was not dressed when we came. We bade farewell to Anders. Karl came and stayed with Anders Petters from Sandbrolet until Anders and papa came. We left, however, before they took us. Anna rode with Karl, papa, and mama. Emma and I rode with Anders. We left home at 3:00 a.m. where we got out of the wagons. Elders Alfred Andersson, Pond and Quint were in Trollhattan during the summer of 1900 when we left Sweden.
Missionaries Andersson and Quint helped us to the boat and waved farewell from the docks as the boat left Trollhattan at 10:30 a.m.
While in Gothenburg, Emma Anna, and I went to the meeting hall of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where a meeting was being held. All the Elders spoke well, and so did Emma and Anna, but I dared not speak. We left before the meeting finished that evening, and we reached our quarter at 8:30 p.m.
We left Gothenburg by boat at 1:00 p.m., Friday, while it was snowing. Our boat landed in England at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
On Sunday, while sitting on the boat, I wrote these lines while the people danced on the platform. There were many Englishmen standing around and looking on. A preacher said dancing was forbidden. Frans Johanson, from Smaland was on the boat.
We left England after 12:00 o’clock on Monday for Glasgow, Scotland. All went well with our company.
In Glasgow, we stayed at a hotel. Having just been out to eat and coming back to the hotel, I did a little writing. We have a small room, and we sleep two in each bed. They say that we must be in Glasgow for four days. We have a lady with us who is from Smaland, Sweden. Between Hull and Glasgow, we traveled through eight tunnels. Today, Friday, 18 May 1900 at 3:25 p.m., a doctor looked into our eyes but he didn’t examine papa and mama. He put a finger over the left eye. My, but there surely is a lot one must go through. The food we received to eat here is bad and hardly edible, but lying in bed is surely grand. There are so many mean looking people here and they smell awfully uninviting to be around.
My, it has been extremely lonesome and tiresome here in Glasgow for the past four days. Today, Thursday 19 May 1900 at 9:15 a.m., we left “dark” and “miserable” Glasgow by train to the Ancor Steamship piers. (A Brother Janson was to meet us at Gote but the boat came ahead of time and we missed him. When we arrived at our destination, we went to the steamship office. Papa went in first and the rest of us waited outside. At last they came and asked us to go in. We didn’t wait long. Anna and I went to the boat to see if Selma Svanson was there. When Anderson and Christenson, the missionaries arrived and asked if we were the Erikson girls to which we said yes. Elder Anderson went to the steamship office while Elder Christenson, Anna and I watched our baggage. An hour later, we were permitted to board a small ferry boat. It sailed at 10:10 a.m. We didn’t go far before reaching the large steamer “City of Rome”. As we boarded that steamer, there were men (or doctors) that looked into our eyes. One of them touched or poked a pimple I had by my right eye and I began to cry. At 12:00 noon, the large ship began sailing. The day was grand but we sailed against a little wind. It is much finer here than it was on the S. S. Ariosto. All five of us are in one cabin as well as a lady from Smaland, Sweden. Each of us have individual bunks. When we came to Ireland on Saturday, everything went well. That evening they took more people on board. The boat turned a bit and met another little boat that brought more people. I was sleeping while these people came on board, but I awakened and went up on deck before the boat left.
We slept well that entire night and in the morning I was well when I awakened. As I was dressing myself, I became dizzy and I vomited that entire Sunday. Mama and Papa were not seasick but Emma, Anna, and I were seasick Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. I began to be a little better and was able to be up. I didn’t vomit, but I wasn’t exactly well. Wednesday, I felt much better and was able to be up, but I didn’t eat anything. That day, the medical attendants examined us for smallpox, vaccinating them that they called. This all occurred on Wednesday, 23 May 1900. It rained and blew all day and was most unpleasant to be up on deck. Below it smelled so bad that I became sick again. As writing at a table in our cabin, I am aware of the bad odor from the hold of the ship and I tried to become accustomed to it.
Our cabin is located in the 3rd class. This Wednesday, the odors were so bad in our cabin that I nearly passed out. They had spread some kind of white material on the floors causing the ship to smell badly. On Thursday morning, I vomited most of that day as I lay in my bunk. Friday, I was up on deck and was as good as well. They said that we should be up on deck because the doctors were examing the cabins. The ship sailed much more smoothly Friday evening. A girl by the name of Hildur and one named Alma sang songs. When they had finished, Anna and I sang a few songs. We sang “Da Dagen Flyr” (When the day disappears) As we sat, we listened to a talk. After this was over, we went to bed.
Saturday morning, I wrote while on deck as it was grand spring day and the boat sailed gently, but not as smoothly as yesterday. That evening we sat in the dining salon with a large gathering of people. Anna and I attended the activities, but mama, papa, Emma and a lady companion have gone to bed.
At 1:00 p.m., Sunday 27 May 1900, we arrived in America. The weather was very grand and beautiful today as we talked and walked on the boat’s deck. There are also many other people walking and visiting on deck and the boat is docked. They are unloading a number of trunks from the boat’s hold.
At 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning, 28 May 1900, we were permitted to land from the large S. S. City of Rome. In the building on the dock, we went through the toll inspection. They looked through all our baggage one after the other.
After the inspection, we received a clearance ticket for our baggage. Then we were permitted to go back and were classified alphabetically. There being 30 people under each alphabetical letter who received slips on which the alphabetical classification appeared. We with the “C” group and Anna with the “D” group where upon we were permitted to go up on the deck of the boat again from which we went onto another little boat where they received us according to our alphabetical classifications. Here we were assigned to cabins for the night.
After leaving the boat on Tuesday, 29 May 1900, we ascended the stairways to a division in order to meet legal regulations. At last we came down to a room where we were to remain until we appeared before the judge. This place was full of people and was crowded, and almost made us dizzy. After a short time we were presented to the judge. They didn’t seem to concern themselves much with us. We had hardly been able to sit until we were required to return to the room from which we came. Another man came and inspected our papers and asked us what our destination was to be. He told us that we should have had a statement or letter from the boys stating that they would receive us, which of course we did not have. Papa said we had sufficient money, but he said that did not help. We had to stay at the port of entry and could not travel that day. Tuesday afternoon, because there were so many ahead of us, Anna was permitted to go through and travel alone. We were greatly disappointed and embarrassed. We received food and were put on a boat which took us to an island (Ellis) where we were permitted to board a boat which we were allowed to lay on bare iron beds that night. There were so many sick on this boat and we therefore, dared not sleep that night. As we boarded the first boat, we were so very disappointed that Emma and mama cried, but I tried to control myself as well as I could. At that time, we did not know what would become of us, and we felt lonesome.
Everything went well on Tuesday morning and we were permitted to go back to the same place and were directed into the same room in which we were the day before. We were required to sit and wait that entire morning as we did not know what to do, or to whom we could turn. There were no Swedish people here other then one family who were from Helsingland with whom we associated. The officials in charge called those that were permitted to go but there were not many who were chosen from the great number present. We sat and listened to hear them call us but we didn’t hear our names called. They talked only in English which we did not understand. At last, a Swedish L.D.S. Missionary came and helped us which made us glad. He provided the necessary papers and we received his address; after he went into the authorities, and he came back shortly, and took us into the officials. They took a slip of paper which papa had. We were then permitted to go before the judge where we sat a moment. We were required to stand up at a table where a Bible was on the table. Papa and mama placed their hands on the Bible. They then asked our names, how old we were, and where we were traveling. The writing the man required the day before was not called for today by the other man. We were then permitted to go into another room and the L.D.S. Missionary again helped us through and exchanged papers at two different places and in the last place, we received tickets which completed everything. This lightened our problems very much, and relieved us of a great burden for which we were thankful to the L.D.S. Missionary who helped us from room to room with the least delay.
At last, we were permitted to board a boat or ferry which took us a short distance in about 10 minutes. On arriving at 1:30 p.m., we were informed that we had to wait until 9:00 p.m. in the evening before we could board the right train. That Tuesday evening at 9:15 p.m. the train pulled away from New York. At 9:30 p.m., we came into a place called Visinton junct. Where tow men boarded the train. One of them sold magazines and books and from the other papa bought a cup of coffee for 10 or 15 cents. After the train started again, it went through two tunnels. At 10 minutes after six the train stopped in Washington, D. C. On Wednesday morning, I saw the first African-American (black) while on the train between New York and Chicago.
On Wednesday 30 May 1900, we rode through 10 tunnels between New York and Petersburg. When the train turned into another direction, we rode through 15 more tunnels.
On Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m., we arrived in Chicago. We stepped off the train on which we had been riding for 1 ½ day between New York and Chicago. After getting off the train, we were required to go a short distance and after climbing a stairway near a tall chimney, we boarded a carriage which was waiting for us. There were four other people on board, and they took us to another place where we again climbed another stairway to a waiting room. While sitting and waiting here, many African-Americans (blacks) passed in and out. We washed and cleaned ourselves while waiting. We waited until 10:30 p.m. in the evening before boarding our train. The time surely dragged. The train we boarded left Chicago at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, 31 May 1900. When we boarded the train, a Negro came and assisted us. Many men boarded the train and only a few women.
We have now traveled one entire night and nearly the entire day since leaving Chicago. The weather is grand today as we pass through the United States. In our travels, we have seen many strange things which we had never seen before, and it seems that here there is general peace and contentment among all animal life. Horses and cows are in the same pasture, as well as sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys and black pigs pasturing in large herds. This train ride is very tiresome as the train makes many stops. In some places where the train stops there are many people and in other places there is hardly a house.
On Friday, 4:10 p.m., we arrived at the City of Omaha where we change trains. After stepping off the train and entering the station, two Salvation Army officers asked if we were Swedish and papa and mama answered yes. There were two other Swedish people that were also on train and we met three more while we were waiting. The Salvation Army officers were very kind to us and helped us to the train which was very crowded. As there was a man sitting on a bench back of us, a person came up to us, and told us to take our baggage back to where we were sitting, otherwise someone could take them without our knowing it. We accepted their advice.
We left Omaha at 5:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. This train doesn’t go any faster than the others did. There are so many different kinds of foreign people on this train: Italians, Negroes, Chinese, Americans, Swedes. On this Saturday morning, we rode through farm land country. There is only a house here and there and tents at other places. At some of the places, there are horses and cows. Today, we have traveled through barren tracts of land. We have also seen mountain, valleys, plains, and snow in the higher mountain.
Sunday morning at 5:15 a.m., we were not required to change train in Ogden, Utah. At 6:00 a.m., we left Ogden. Today we traveled through greener tracts as compared with yesterday. We saw mountain covered with snow, while riding nearer to Salt Lake City and to where Karl, Herman, and Alfred lived. On the 3 June 1900 at 6:30 a.m. we arrived in Salt Lake City. As we stepped off the train, Herman met us and took us in to the station to wait for Karl who was coming on the street car. However, he and his wife, Anna, had walked to the railroad station. Later, we rode the street car home to Karl’s place. That same day in the afternoon, we girls followed Karl to the Salt Lake Tabernacle where it was grand and awe inspiring. There were many people present and they were so grand; and there were many women folk. It appeared like a field of flowers; they sang very well, but we did not understand anything that they sang. Brigham Young, Cannon and another whose name I did not know, spoke at the meeting.
I went to my first place of work on Friday, 16 June 1900. Karl’s wife, Anna, went with me to that place.
Mother died of pneumonia on Friday, 14 December 1900 during the daytime. She was buried Tuesday, the 18 December 1900 in the Archer Cemetery, Archer, Madison County, Idaho. She was 56 years, 5 months and 21 days old.
BIRTH: Civil Register, Bjorke, Alvsborg, Sweden. The Family History Library, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158, FHL Film 200793, entry 5, Parents Erik Eriksson, a bonde (famer) and Kristina Anders Dr. of St. Bredang. Kristina age, 38 yrs. -- Dotter, Emma Maria 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
Social Security No. 519-44-2120
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
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF EMMA MARIA ERIKSON GROVER
AS RELATED TO HER DAUGHTER, ELSIE GROVER WILCOXEmma was the youngest of eight children. Her brother Anders Johan died of consumption at the age of 25 years.
Emma was born in a little house as she remembers but little. Later the family moved to Skogebo (farm name) in Elfsborgs Lan (Parish). Here they lived in a log house. It had three large rooms and a large hallway. Later they moved to Haberg.
At the age of seven, Emma started school. The school was red brick built on a little hill among the rocks. It was two miles North of their home and Emma walked alone morning and night through the forest which was sometimes frightening to her. The older brothers and sister attended school about five miles south of their home. Emma attended this school later. She studied Swedish, spelling, arithmetic, reading, geography, history, drawing, music, and for one hour each day they had Bible study. They did not hold school during the coldest part of the year. It started in September and continued until around December and then started again in march and would to until July.
In the summer the children would go barefoot and in winter wooden shoes were worn.
The favorite sport for the Erickson children and a neighbor girl, Anne Verner, was playing Hide-and-Seek in the rocks and timber of the surrounding hills. These hills were beautiful with green grass, hardwood trees, and wild flowers.
Emma and Matilda had to herd cows a great deal of the time in these hills. On Sunday afternoon, Emma disliked the cow herding job and many times ran away to play with neighbor children leaving Matilda to herd the cows. Matilda didn’t like this at all as she would much rather read her Bible.
The Erickson family attended the Lutheran Church. While living at Haberg, Mormon Missionaries visited in their home. They came twice a year and stayed a few days each time holding meetings in the Erikson’s home with a few friends and neighbors. Emma remembers very little about these first missionaries.
The eldest brother, Emil, came to America in 1892 or 1893 before the rest of the family. He settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He came with his mother’s brothers, Karl and Otto Anderson, and several cousins. Emma never saw Emil again after he left their home Sweden.
Karl came to America in 1895 and Alfred in 1896. These brothers came to Salt Lake City, Utah to be with The Latter-day Saints as they had joined the L.D.S. Church.
The remainder of the family wanted to join the brothers in America and also to come to Salt Lake where there were L.D.S. people, so on May 10, 1900, Emma, Matilda, and their parents and Anne Verner left Haberg, Sweden and came to American. Everyone got seasick while crossing the North Sea from Sweden to England, and while waiting at Glasgow to take the boat to start their journey across the Atlantic. Emma writes: “We are all feeling bad and are still seasick, the Atlantic is not too inviting”. It was no better than had been anticipated as they were all very seasick while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was crowded and they did not enjoy their nine days on the water. Emma writes: “While sitting in the dining room of the ship some of the kids are fighting, running, and making noises. Anne, Matilda, and some other folks are polishing silver. They say in the morning we will be in New York.
Shortly after arriving in New York they had inspection. “That was alright. When that was done we were sent to Castle-age and here we were held up because our parents are old and the authorities say we don’t have enough money.” The authorities called Salt Lake City to see if Karl and Alfred would be responsible for their parents. “While we waited for some to call Karl and Alfred, we laid around where it was dirty. Filthy women did some fighting. Here they look us all over (physical examination) and everything if a mess. The man that looked in our eyes knocked some of our hats off. I am feeling so scared.”
We left New York at 9:15 Monday evening. We were on that train until Wednesday morning when we arrived in Chicago, and here we are waiting again for a train, and I’m telling you that we are tired and it is a long time to wait for a train until ten o’clock tonight with nothing to do but sit.”
Now we are leaving Chicago and I see the funniest thing. There is a cow, pig, chicken, and turkey all in the same pasture. If that were in Sweden, they would all be killed by the cow with her longhorns. Now we are getting to a place called Omaha.”
“When they were going through Nebraska, all they could see was desert land. There had been a bad storm and some buildings had been blown over. Emma was tired, homesick, and disappointed and she writes: “Seeing so much desolation, I would be glad not to see any more. The animals are laid dead and houses are blown over. Here we get to stay in a nice railroad station. Here we meet other Swedes and it’s so good to see them and talk. Here two Salvation Army boys are kidding Mom and Dad about not letting the Mormons get away with their nice daughters. On our way out of Omaha, we are having a lot of music. Some are playing on a harp, some singing, and some just hollering. There are Chinese, Italians, Germans, Swedes, and Americans in here. Now we can see nothing but hills and I am awful glad to get through with these desolate looking places.”
“We are to arrive in Salt Lake, June 3, in the morning. This fun is all over. hallelujah!”
Emma says she was so tired on arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah that it made her tired reading her notes to me (Elsie) and recalling their experiences. She read these to me April 7, 1956, about 56 years after their arrival in Salt Lake. She had to translate her notes from Swedish to English. She told their experiences as she remembered them after arriving in Salt Lake.
“In Salt Lake, Karl met the family and took us to his home on Second South. He was married. We stayed there two weeks and rested, then I started looking for a job. I worked in several homes as housekeeper. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t understand a word of English and I had an awful time. Karl took me to one place and the lady asked him if she took the broom and pointed at the floor if I would have enough sense to sweep the floor.”
“I longed to be outside in a yard or pasture, and find a cow or two. I was so unhappy and so lonesome for my home and friends.”
“We attended church at the 13th Ward where the Swedes congregated. Sometimes we went to the 14th Ward and here swedes from all around Salt Lake met for meetings and parties.”
“I was baptized in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on September 29, 1900. I can’t remember who baptized me, but Bishop Empey of the 13th Ward confirmed me. He was so kind to us. I was the last of the children in our family to be baptized in The Latter-day Saints Church. Mother and Father were baptized in Archer, Idaho.”
Mother and Father stayed in Salt Lake about three weeks then they went to Archer, Idaho to live with Herman on his farm, Mother became very ill about two months later and Herman called us and it was decided that I should quit my job and go to Archer and care for her. I came to Archer, Idaho in October 1900. Mother continued to get worse and died in December. She is buried in the Archer Cemetery. I was really saddened but being with Dad and on the farm made thins a little hopeful. I stayed with Dad until the next Fall, then I went back to Salt Lake and worked about two years doing house work. I got so tired of being tied down to housekeeping and cooking that I went to different homes and just did washing and ironing.
“I returned to Archer, Idaho to live with Herman and Dad. It was here I met Elisha Grover. One night after church, Herman, Minnie Johnson Williams and I were walking home and he gave us a ride in his sleigh. He had a team of sporty black horses and we really traveled. I really thought those horses were pretty.”
“This was the beginning of going to church, dances, and parties with Elisha. We had such good times. We always went in a nice sleigh or buggy with fancy horses. Minnie Johnson went with us many times.
On November 22, 1904, Emma was married to Elisha freeman Grover at St. Anthony, Idaho by Victor Hegsted, Bishop of Salem Ward and Auditor and Recorder of Fremont County, Idaho. They made their home in Archer, Idaho, first building a two room house on their forty acre farm. Her Father lived with her for sometime then he made his second trip to Sweden. While there, he became ill and died and was buried in Sweden. Later, they bought more land and built a new home. Their home was indeed a home for their family and friends, always room for one or more whether at play, at the meal table, or an extra bed or two.
Emma made a wonderful wife and mother, helping someone all the time and ofttimes depriving herself of many things and pleasures so that her family could have the things they needed and wanted to help them in school, church positions, or other things.
Always as a Mother she has been a source of inspiration and encouragement. “Never so bad that it couldn’t be worse,” is her motto.
She has seven sons and four daughters: Marshal, Samuel, Agnes, Edna, Elsie, Stephen, Mark, Carl, Dayton, Zola, and LaVar.
On July 11, 1950 Emma and Elisha received their endowments in the Idaho Falls L.D.S. Temple. This was a joyous occasion for them.
On September 17, 1951, her husband and companion died suddenly of a heart attack. She has a little home on her farm now owned by her youngest son, LaVar. She is visited often by her family and friends.