Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-George Erickson
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
GEORGE ERICKSON. Hayes Township, Clay County, has many citizens worthy of representation in a volume of this nature, but none more so than the Rev. George Erickson, who is one of the early settlers therein, and who is not only a successful agriculturist, hut is also engaged in the local ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has for many years labored to win souls to Christ. He was born in Sweden, April 27, 1831, and is the eldest son of Hokan and Anne Erickson, both of whom were natives of the same country in which he was born. He grew to manhood on a farm, receiving a good education in his native tongue, being mainly self-educated in English, of which language he has acquired a good knowledge.
lu the spring of 1853 Mr. Erickson took passage at Guttenburg on a sail vessel, and after an ocean voyage of six weeks and three days, landed in New York City. For several years he was a resi�dent of Knox County, Ill., going thence to Henry County, where he remained till 1870, when he came to Kansas. Selecting Clay County as his future home, he cook up a homestead of 160 acres where he still resides, and which forms a part of his present fine estate of 320 acres. When he landed in America he had but $6 in money and from this small beginning has grown his present excellent financial standing, a monument to his energy and good management. Like all the pioneer families, he and his passed through some of the hardships usual in getting a start on the frontier, but have been well rewarded for their honest industry.
The first marriage of the Rev. Mr. Erickson occurred on Dec. 23, 1854, in Illinois, the bride being Miss Christine Moden, who bore one son, John, who is now deceased. His first companion having been taken from him, Mr. Erickson was again married, the second ceremony taking place April 1, 1855, and the bride being Miss Martha Moden. Ten children were the result of the second alliance. Anne A., is the wife of Charles Samuelson of Denver, Col.; Emma is the wife of John Buorke. of this township; Esther E. is the wife of Andrew Danielson, of Nebraska; John W. and Nora are at home; Walter, George, Ida H., George W. and Matilda S. are deceased.
The Rev. Mr. Erickson has served as Justice of the Peace since 1874, his continual service having been performed in a satisfactory and creditable manner. He has also been Clerk of the District School Board for a number of years. He is interested in and identified with the various movements for the intellectual, moral and spiritual advancement of the county of which he has so long been an honored resident.