SOURCE: Commemorative biographical record of the west shore of Green Bay, Wisconsin 
Microfilm of original published: Chicago : J.H. Beers, 1896. 718 p. : ports.
LDS Microfilm #0924759     Pages 601 - 602

Erik P. LAUGESEN, hardware merchant of Florence, Florence Co., Wis., was born in 1858, in Denmark, and is a son of L.C. Eriksen, and Mary Eriksen (Sorensen), who were both born in Denmark.  The mother died in 1876.  L. C. Eriksen was a miller by trade.  The family consisted of four children--one son and three daughters, namely: Erik P. is the subject of this sketch: Mariane, the wife of Peter Nielsen, is living in Denmark; Core died in Denmark in her young age; Sorine is yet in that country.  L. C. Eriksen, the father of Erik P., came to this country in 1890 to live his last days with his son, and is still here. 

Erik P. Laugesen was reared in Denmark, educated in the schools of thatcountry, and learned the trade of blacksmith, working at that some three and one-half years.  In 1879 he embarked for the United States, and landed in New York, thence taking the train to Philadelphia, Penn.  From there he journeyed on foot to Chicago, Ill., the journey taking seven weeks, from April 1 to May 18, and came to Rolling Prairie, near Laporte, Ind., got a job, and his first work in this country was farming;  He worked at that till October, and then went to Chicago, where he worked some in a lumber-yard. But the lumber business stopped and starvation stared him in the face; however, he met a friend from Denmark, who lent him money enough to take him to Wisconsin.

The first place in this State he reached was Appleton, Outagamie county, and then into the employ of the Milwaukee and Lake Shore Railway Co., who were then building the road to Wausau, Wis., to which place Erik P. followed up the job.   He then went to New London, Wis., where he followed his trade for nearly two years, there working for John Friburger.   From New London he went to Waupaca, Waupaca Co., Wis., where he also worked at his trade for P. A. House; in 1882 he established his own blacksmith shop at Ogdensburg, Wis., and later moved his whole works to Symco, Waupaca  county, where he afterward went into the hardware business, which he sold out in 1887.

In September, 1882, Erik P. Laugesen was united in marriage at New London, Wis., with Miss Ane Maggie Nielsen, who was born in Denmark. Her parents, Christian and Cora Nielsen, came to this country in 1872, settling in Wisconsin, where, in  Deer Creek, Outagamie county, they bought a farm, and have since resided there.  The family of Mr. and Mrs. Laugesen consisted of four children, namely: Mary, Laura, Emme and
Christ.   On July 25, 1895, Mr. Laugesen lost his beloved wife, who for thirteen years had been his true helper, a loving mother to her four children, and a most kind wife; she was thirty years old when she died. 

In  1887  Mr. Laugesen engaged in the general mercantile business at Crandon, Forest Co., Wis., and later, in December, 1890, sold out at that place, and moved to Florence, where he again embarked in the general hardware trade with a small capital of not over $500, which he has since increased; so that at this writing he carries a  stock to
the value of from $5,500 to $6,000; he now buys for cash, and sells for cash.  He handles farm machinery, shelf hardware, mining supplies, paints and oil. He devotes his entire time to his business, and speculates in nothing else.  When he came to this country our subject borrowed his passage money from the man that learned him his trade in Denmark.

Out subject is a Republican, politically, but holds no public office, nor seeks any, and he belongs to no secret order of and kind.   He goes to the Christian Missionary Church in Florence, and believes in the Bible and in the works of God. He is recognized by all who know him as a thorough, practical, self-made business man, and as such has the respect and esteem of the entire community.  During his sixteen-years' residence in Wisconsin he has naturally seen many of the changes and improvements which have taken place in that locality, especially in his own section.