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1907 Past and Present Biographies

H. C. Erickson

H. C. Erickson, who is engaged in farming on section 17, Paton township, his residence in the county continuing here from an early period in its development, was born in Sweden on the 11th of November, 1850, and his parents, George and Catherine Erickson, were also natives of that country. The father emigrated to the United States with his family when his son H. C. Erickson was only six years of age and they settled upon a farm in Webster county, Iowa, where for some years George Erickson carried on general agricultural pursuits, but both he and his wife are now deceased.

H. C. Erickson was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the labors incident to the cultivation and development of the fields. His education was acquired in the public schools and after he put aside his text-books he continued on the old homestead for some time, but in 1883, thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial than those of the farm, he established an implement business in Paton. For several years he carried on business there and for two years was a partner of J . F. Johnson. They built the store building now occupied by the firm of Paterson & Stribling. In 1901 Mr, Erickson resumed the occupation of farming and bought a tract of land southeast of Paton. In 1904 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres known as the J . H. McLaughlin place. It is well improved and is a tract of rich and fertile land, which responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it. It is situated on section 17, Paton township, and everything about the place is indicative of the care and labor of the owner, who is practical and progressive in his methods.

In 1878 Mr. Erickson was united in marriage to Miss Ella Wise, a native of Cedar county, and a sister of Harvey Wise, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Four children have been born to this union: Jessie, George, Nellie and Kate, all still under the parental roof. Mrs. Erickson is a member of the Presbyterian church and an estimable lady who presides with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home.

In politics Mr. Erickson is a republican, but has never sought nor desired office, his time and attention being fully occupied with his business affairs. He is a self-made man and whatever prosperity he has enjoyed is attributable to his own labors. Fully realizing the fact that success comes only as the reward of perseverance and diligence, he has utilized these qualities in winning the prosperity that now classes him with the substantial agriculturists of his community.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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