Eric Olson

Eric Olson
Born	May 2, 1850(1850-05-02) Myrtissjo, Hassela, Gävleborg, Sweden
Died	February 27, 1915 (aged 64)
Resting place	Moses Hill Cemetery, Phelps County, Nebraska
Spouse	Ellen Marie Anderson (m. 1886) «Did not recognize date. Try slightly modifying the date in the first parameter.»"Marriage: Ellen Marie Anderson to Eric Olson" Location: (linkback:http://jimlindstrom.com/mediawiki/index.php/Eric_Olson)
Children	Anna Christine Olson (1895 - 1973) Elmer E. Olson (1898 - 1949) Ethel A. Olson (1891-1946) Tennis R. Olson (1900 - 1902) Theodore W. Olson (1903 - 1904)
Parents	Peter Olson Carin Eriksdotter

Eric was born in Sweden in 1850. In 1861, Eric's family immigrated to America, settling initially in Goodhue County, Minnesota, then relocating to Holdrege, Nebraska. Eric remained in Phelps County until his death in 1915, and is buried at Moses Hill Cemetery.

Biography

Eric Olson and brother John were born in Sweden. They came first to Minnesota, then to Phelps County.

Each took a homestead. Eric married Ellen Marie Anderson, who had come from another part of Sweden. Converting prarie land to farmland was a termendous struggle. Evidence of those meager days is shown by some soupspoons Eric had hand-carved of wood for his family's use. Eleven children were born, nine growing to maturity. The first six children were girls. They all grew up doing their part to help their parents develop that homestead into a productive farm.

Clara married Oscar Vaughn. They had five children: Lulu, Vernon, Ellen Marie, Raymond and Marshall. They farmed near Overton.

Minnie remained single doing domestic work in homes of the wealthy in Denver, Chicago, and Beveryly Hills, California.

Alice married Frank Edlund. They had five sons: Darryl, Kermit, Lincoln, George, and James. Frank and Alice later purchased the Olson homestead.

Ethel married Ed vaughn, brother of sister Clara's husband. Their four children are Irving, Aline, Kenneth, and Lee. They farmed north of Westmark Church, where Lee now lives.

June married C. Lawrence Hanson. Their son died in infancy. They farmed near Emmaus Church.

Anna married Harry Ostgren and had one daughter, Dorothy. After farming near the old Orphans Home they moved to Colorado. The first son, Elmer, worked for the Union Pacific Railroad at North Platte. He had no family. He died in Colorado from an illness incurred while railroading.

Palmer went to Colorado. He went into the grocery business with his uncle Oscar Anderson. His daughter died in infancy and his widow lives in Denver.

Two more sons, Tannis and Theodore, died in their early youth.

Gladys went to nurses' training in Chicago, where she married a postman, James Lawler. They had two sons, Tommy and John. After moving to Colorado for their sons' health, Gladys retired from nursing and is now widowed and living in Littleton. The courage and perseverance of the Olson family has been an inspiration to me, a great-granddaughter. (Mary Anne Miller Ghumm)

Photos

Eric and Ellen Marie Olson with Clara, Minnie, Alice and Ethel in her mothers lap.	Photo of Anna Christine, Elmer and June Olson. Children of Eric and Maria Olson	From left to right. Eric and Maria Olson. Children Clara Josephine, Hannah Wilhemina, Alice Marie, Ethel Adina, June Matilda, Anna Christine, Elmer Edward, Theodore Palmer Roosevelt and Gladys Catherine Olson

Historical Records

• Eric was born on May 2, 1850, according to the Swedish Church Records. It looks like Eric's parents' names are spelled Per Olofson and Carin Ericsdotter. Per seems to be indicated as a "husman" (meaning: living on a small plot of land) and Carin is listed as "hustru" (wife).

• Eric (age 50) and Maria (age 37) live in Westmark, Phelps County, Nebraska with children Clara (age 14), Minnie (age 12), Alice (age 11), Ethel (age 8), June (age 6), Annie (age 4) and Elmer (age 2) in the 1900 Federal Census
• Eric (age 59) and Ellen (age 46) live in Westmark, Phelps, Nebraska, with children Ethel (age 18), June (age 16), Anna (age 14), Edmer (age 12), Palmer (age 5), Gladys (age 2), and unknown August Monguson (age 46) in the 1910 Federal Census
• Eric's death certificate (1915)

• 1915 Feb. 27: Eric Olson died from a cerebral hemorrhage. His death certificate is on file with the Nebraska Bureau of Vital Statistics (Register #2727). His death certificate indicates that he was born in Sweden, that his father was Peter Olson and that his mother was Karen Ericson. He was a farmer. His brother, John Olson, was the informant for the death certificate. From the Holdrege Citizen:
  • Mr. Erick Olson of Westmark township passed away suddenly at 3:15 o'clock last Saturday at his home from cerebral hemorrhage while doing chores about the barn. He was immediately discovered and taken to the house in a dying condition. Coroner Palmer was called and pronounced his ailment and cause of death. Mr. Olson was a highly respected farmer of the neighborhood and leaves a very nice estate. He leaves to mourn his death, the wife, two sons and seven daughters, a brother John, living near his home and other more distant relatives. Mr. Olson was in his 65th year, was born in Sweden, May 2, 1850 and came to America in 1861 and to Phelps County in 1878, was married in 1886. To this union were born 11 children, two of whom have preceded the father. Short services were held at the home at 12 o'clock and the church services were held at Holcomb, last Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Ohlson. Burial was made at Moses Hill.
  • NOTICE OF PETITION. Estate No. 533 of Erick Olson, Deceased, in County Court of Phelps County, Nebraska. The State of Nebraska. To all persons interested in said estate, take notice that a petition has been filed for the appointment of Ellen Olson as administratrix of said estate, which has been set for hearing herein on Monday, April 5th, 1915, at ten o'clock a.m. Dated March 17th, 1915. L.C. Barr, County Judge.

• 1923 Mar. 19: Maria Helena (Ellen Maria) Anderson Olson died at 1:10 a.m. in Holdrege (Phelps), NE. Her death certificate is on file with the Nebraska Bureau of Vital Statistics. From the Holdrege Citizen:
  • Ellen Maria Olson, nee Anderson was born Sept. 25, 1865, in Vrigstadsocken, Smaland, Sweden. In 1884 she immigrated to America, residing first in Illinois for one year, after which she came to Nebraska and to Phelps County. In 1886 she was united in marriage to Eric Olson on Sept. 22nd. To this union were born eleven children, of whom two are dead. Her husband preceded her to the great beyond some nine years ago, having been buried March 2nd, 1915. Her health has been failing for some over ten years, but she has been about her daily duties till just a few days prior to her death. On Thursday before her death she was in town, but took suddenly sick on her way home and grew worse till the end came. On the 19th of March at 1:10 a.m., she passed away at the Holdrege hospital, where she had been taken with the hope of saving her life. She had attained the age of 58 years, 5 months and 24 days. To mourn her departure are left nine children: Mrs. Oscar Vahn, Minnie Olson, Mrs. Frank Edlund, Mrs. Ed. Vahn, Mrs. Lawrence Hanson, Mrs. Harry Ostgren, Elmer and Palmer Olson and Gladys; her aged father, Jonas Anderson; one brother, Oscar Anderson of Eaton, Colo.; other relatives and a host of friends.