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, USA. Eric relocated to Holdrege, Nebraska and in 1886 married Maria Helena Andersson. Eric remained in Phelps County until his death in 1915. He is buried in 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 (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)