LARS ERICKSON1829-

Lars Erickson arrived in America on September 13, 1853, according to his application for naturalization. He was born in Norway on July 9, 1829. His death certificate states he was the son of Eric Jensrud. However, no further information has been found on his parents or his place of birth in Norway.

He came to Minneapolis, which was at that time still St. Anthony, some time between 1853 and 1855. He was married to Troen Jonsdatter in St. Paul on January 4, 1855. Their first child, Josephine, was most likely born in Minneapolis in 1857, and in 1858 they moved to Carver County, Minnesota. Lars purchased 160 acres of land in Dahlgren Twp. In 1858 the East Union Lutheran Church was formed and Lars and Troen were one of the first families to join. Also, listed in the first book of members was an Arne Erickson, who was also from Norway. It's believed that Arne may have Lars' brother, but I have been unable to find documentation to prove it.

Around 1866 the family left Carver county and returned to Minneapolis where Lars established the "Scandia House", located on 3rd Ave and 2nd St. This boarding house was generally frequented by newly arriving Scandinavians coming into the city.

By 1869 the Scandia House had either been sold or closed and Lars worked at other various occupations until 1878 when they moved to Redwood County MN. Lars filed for a homestead in Gales Township near the town of Walnut Grove. For the next few years he farmed and made improvements on the land as was required for 5 years. On December 3, 1882 Troen passed away after having contracted Tuberculosis. She was buried on the farm of a neighbor, Lars Pederson. Two children of the Pedersons were also buried nearby.

Lars remained on the farm in Gales, receiving title to it on September 17, 1883. He had fulfilled the requirements of the Homestead Act of 1862 by building a house (14 x 20 feet and 9 x 10 addition), a granary, stable, and planting trees valued at $300.00. He cultivated 60 acres of the 80.

In 1885 Lars married a widow from Sweden, Mrs. Hanna Lindstrom, who had one child from her previous marriage. She had come to America with her first husband and settled on a farm near Walnut Grove in Springdale twp. Her husband, John Lindstrom, had died the same year as Troen, and according to information provided by her descendants, Lars and Hanna married more for convenience and had a legal arrangement regarding their property and assets to protect their children. Lars moved into Hanna's home in Springdale and Lars' son John ran the family farm in Gales twp. Lars also had income from his work as a salesman, or "peddler" as they were referred to then. Hanna had income from her farm. Click here for additional information on Lars and Hanna Erickson. ( When page is done loading, hold mouse over the document and click on the orange button to enlarge page again).

Lars Erickson passed away on March 8, 1899 from Stomach Cancer and was buried in the Swedish Lutheran Cemetery in Walnut Grove. The headstone has both Lars' and Troen's names on it, but there is no evidence that her body was ever removed to the cemetery. Hanna died May 3, 1918 was buried next to her first husband, John Lindgren.

Mention of Lars' death was published in the Walnut Grove newspaper:

Lars Erickson's death occurred Wednesday morning from cancer of the stomachs. He was formerly of this town.