Kenneth and Rose Erickson Wedding Photo

This is a photo of my grand uncle Kenneth Iver Erickson and Rose Margaret Flahive on their wedding day, 14 Feb 1935.

Kenneth Iver Erickson and Rose Margaret Flahive
14 Feb 1935

Anna Christina Nelson Family

This is a photo of my 2nd great-grandmother Anna Christina Nelson and her children in 1940.

Iver Frank Erickson, Selma Finelia Erickson, Anna Sophia Erickson, Anna Christina Nelson,
Esther Ceraphia Erickson, Ewald Walfred Erickson, and Mauritz Emanuel Erickson, 1940

Evelyn Erickson Photograph

This is a photograph of my grandmother, Evelyn Thorst Erickson, taken in 1926.

Evelyn Thorst Erickson, 1926

Iver Erickson Children Photograph

This is a photograph from 1910 of the three oldest children of Iver Frank Erickson and Maude Emeline Covell.

Donald Covell,  Evelyn Thorst, and
  Kenneth Iver Erickson, 1910

Iver Erickson Family - 1940 US Census

Still enjoying the page by page search of the 1940 United States census, I found my great-grandfather Iver Frank Erickson and his family. They are in lines 39 through 45 of the images below (Muskegon County, Michigan enumeration district 61-65, pages 20A and 20B). My 2nd great-grandmother Anna Christina Nelson is also present.

1940 United States Census
Muskegon County, Michigan, ED 61-65, page 20A

1940 United States Census
Muskegon County, Michigan, ED 61-65, page 20B

Lucinda Gregson - 1940 US Census

Still going page by page in the 1940 United States census, I found my 2nd great-grandmother Lucinda Gregson. She is on line 1 of the image below (Muskegon County, Michigan enumeration district 61-65, page 8B).

1940 United States Census
Muskegon County, Michigan, ED 61-65, page 8B

Iver and Maude Erickson Wedding Photo

To celebrate the wedding of my great-grandparents Iver Frank Erickson and Maude Emeline Covell on this date 106 years ago, we have today their wedding photograph.

Iver Frank Erickson and Maude Emeline Covell
21 Jun 1905

Clark and Evelyn Thompson Wedding Photo

Today's photograph is from the wedding of my grandparents Clark Minard Thompson and Evelyn Thorst Erickson.

Clark Minard Thompson and Evelyn Thorst Erickson
23 Dec 1937

Maude Emeline Covell Photograph

Today's photograph is of my great-grandmother Maude Emeline Covell. The photo is undated but may be from the very early 1900s.

Iver Frank Erickson Photo - Young

Today's photograph is of my great-grandfather Iver Frank Erickson in his youth. The photograph is undated but may be from the very early 1900s.

Iver and Maude Erickson Photograph

Today's photograph is a later picture of my great-grandparents Iver Frank Erickson and Maude Emeline Covell.

The R.N. Cornet Band, Fruitland, MI

Today's photograph is of the R.N. Cornet Band in Fruitland, Michigan. My great-grandfather Iver Frank Erickson is standing in the back row, 4th from the left. I can only guess that the date might be circa 1894. Thanks to my father's cousin Judi for sharing this photograph.

Lucinda Gregson and Children Photograph

Today's photograph is of my 2nd great-grandmother Lucinda A. Gregson and her children. The picture dates to 1923 when Lucinda's husband David Wilmot Covell, Sr. had already died. It was sent to me either by my Dad's cousin Judi or Al Covell, first cousin to my grandmother Evelyn Thorst Erickson.

Standing: Maude Emeline; David Wilmot, Jr.; Marvin Leonard;
and Lawrence Gregson Covell
Sitting: Lyman Townsend Covell, Lucinda A. Gregson, Alvin Lee Covell,
Andrew Jackson Covell, and Luella May Covell

Frank Erickson

Frank E. Erickson was born on 09 Oct 1847 in Lindesberg, Örebro, Västmanland, Sweden to Erick Olson [1, 2]. He is the immigrant ancestor for the Erickson line having emigrated from Sweden to the United States in 1871 [3, 4]. He declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States on 04 Mar 1878 [6] and was naturalized by 1910 [4].

Signature of Frank Erickson [6]

Frank's surname has a few variations. The common name used by descendants is Erickson. Naturalization papers state ErickSon (note the capital 'S' implying some type of separation or significance) [6]. His death certificate states Erickson with the father's name as Erick Olson [1]. As hinted at by the naturalization papers, the Erickson surname appears to be a melding of the names of Frank's father: ERICK olSON. Since it was common for immigrants to change or Americanize their names, I have accepted Frank's surname as Erickson and his father's surname as Olson.

Frank married Anna Christina Nelson on 30 Aug 1874 at the Lebanon Lutheran Church in Whitehall, Muskegon, Michigan [2]. Anna was born Anna Stina to Nils and Anne Catherine Larsson on 04 Oct 1851 in Nora, Örebro, Västmanland, Sweden [2, 7, 14, 17]. She was christened on 08 Oct 1851 in Nora, likely in the Roman Catholic Church [14]. She is the immigrant ancestor for the Larsson line. She immigrated to the United States in 1874 [3, 4, 15, 17]. She left the port of Göteborg around 17 Jul 1874 destined for White Hall (presumably Whitehall, Michigan) [15].

Signatures of Anna Christina Nelson [14]

As with Frank, a similar name change appears to have happened with Anna, although it has been a harder determination. I have dismissed the surname 'Berglund' that appears on her son Iver's death certificate as I have not seen this name anywhere else in family records. Her death certificate says her father's name is 'Larson' [7] while her marriage certificate and her son Iver's marriage certificate say 'Nelson' [2, 11]. I think this can be reconciled as 'Nelson' appears to be a combination of 'NELs' and 'larSON'. With immigrants commonly changing their name, I think this in one such instance. I have chosen Nelson as Anna's maiden name with Larson as her father's name to remain faithful to both documents with the understanding that the name change was likely due to immigration or Americanization.

Frank worked as a mill worker and a farmer [3, 4, 5]. He died on 28 Aug 1916 in Fruitland, Muskegon, Michigan [1, 16]. Anna lived for a number of years after Frank died, appearing in multiple census records [9, 10]. She died on 27 Dec 1943 in Fruitland [7, 17]. Frank and Anna are buried in Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall, Muskegon, Michigan [7, 8, 17]. Frank's estate is in probate between 30 Aug 1916 and 28 Mar 1917 in Muskegon County, Michigan [16].

Children of Frank Erickson and Anna Christina Larson

1) Hilma Cecelia Erickson [5] was born on 16 Mar 1876 in Michigan. She married Will Anderson. She died on 11 May 1936.

2) Iver Frank Erickson [3, 5, 11, 12, 17] was born on 19 Aug 1878 in Whitehall, Muskegon, Michigan [11]. He married Maude Emeline Covell on 21 Jun 1905 in Fruitland, Muskegon, Michigan [12]. He died on 27 Mar 1957 in North Muskegon and was buried at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall, Muskegon, Michigan [8, 11].

3) Selma Finelia Erickson [17] was born on 29 Mar 1881. She married Frank Swanson. She died on 19 Apr 1970.

4) Esther Ceraphia Erickson [3, 17] was born on 30 Oct 1883 in Michigan. She married Albert Anderson. She died on 04 Oct 1972.

5) Ewald Mauritz Erickson [17] was born on 23 Jul 1885 and died on 15 Aug 1885.

6) Anna Sophia Erickson [3, 17] was born on 13 Nov 1887 in Michigan. She married Harry Tunberg. She died on 22 Jun 1955.

7) Ewald Mauritz Erickson [3, 4, 17] was born on 18 Aug 1890 in Michigan. He married 1st Olive Bergren and 2nd Anna Blue. He died on 10 Jun 1981 in Muskegon, Michigan and was buried at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.

8) Mauritz Emanuel Erickson, Sr. [3, 4, 17] was born on 06 May 1893. He married 1st Nellie Agan and 2nd Ann Rooks. He died on 01 May 1983 in Muskegon, Michigan.

References

[1] Death Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Death certificate for Frank E. Erickson; Book 3, Page 359.

[2] Marriage Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Marriage license for Frank E. Erickson and Anna Christina Nelson; Book 2, Page 69.

[3] 1900 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 81 A.

[4] 1910 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 48 A.

[5] 1880 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 50 A.

[6] Circuit Court Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Declaration of Intention to become a Citizen of the United States for Frank Erickson.

[7] Death Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Death certificate for Anna Christina Larson; Local File No. 12.

[8] Cemetery Records of Muskegon Co., Mich., Volume 3, Muskegon Co. Genealogical Society, 1983. Page 123, Oakhurst Cemetery.

[9] 1920 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 36 B.

[10] 1930 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 79 B.

[11] Death Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Death certificate for Iver Frank Erickson; State File No. 219.

[12] Marriage Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Marriage license for Iver Frank Erickson and Maude Emeline Covell; No. 5598.

[14] Birth records of Nora Bergsförsamling Parish, Örebro, Sweden. Volume C:9B, Births 1843-1856, record #179 for 1851, (entry for Anna Stina daughter of Nils Larsson).

[15] Swedish Emigration Records, 1783-1951 (Emigranten Populär 2006), The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Entry for Anna Christina Nilsson (Archive Call Number 8:327:10248).

[16] Probate Court Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Probate case No. 5661, Frank E. Erickson. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18

[17] The Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan. 27 Dec 1943, page 14. Obituary for Anna Christina Erickson

Iver Frank Erickson

Iver Frank Erickson was born on 19 Aug 1878 in Whitehall, Muskegon, Michigan to Frank E. Erickson and Anna Christina Nelson [2, 7, 21, 22]. He married Maude Emeline Covell (daughter of David Wilmot Covell, Sr. and Lucinda A. Gregson [10, 11]) on 21 Jun 1905 at the First Congregational Church in Fruitland, Muskegon, Michigan [7]. Iver and Maude had 11 children with two being a set of fraternal twin girls.

Signature of Iver Frank Erickson [18]

Iver did not serve in the military, but he is seen registering for the World War I draft on 12 Sep 1918 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan, USA [1]. He is described as short with a medium build, blue eyes, light brown hair.

Iver worked as a rural mail carrier for most of his life [3, 5, 6, 8, 9]. He was apparently an avid and talented bowler who also enjoyed a round of golf.

He died of a heart attack at his home (1715 Ruddiman Drive, North Muskegon, Michigan) on 27 Mar 1957 [2, 18, 22]. He was buried in Oakhurst Cemetery, Whitehall, Muskegon, Michigan on 29 Mar 1957 [2, 4]. His estate was in probate in Muskegon County, Michigan between 03 Apr 1957 and 21 Nov 1957 [18].

Iver Frank Erickson

Children of Iver Frank Erickson and Maude Emeline Covell:

1) Donald Covell Erickson [6, 19, 22] was born on 09 Aug 1906 in North Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan. He married Dorothy Marguerite Sanford on 31 Jan 1927 in North Muskegon. He died on 28 Jan 1977 in Whitehall, Muskegon, Michigan.

2) Kenneth Iver Erickson [5, 6, 19, 22] was born on 30 Mar 1908 in North Muskegon. He married Rose Margaret Flahive on 14 Feb 1935 in Muskegon. He died on 25 Oct 2004 in North Muskegon.

3) Evelyn Thorst Erickson [3, 5, 6, 19, 22] was born on 29 Nov 1909 in North Muskegon [3, 14, 15, 16]. She married Clark Minard Thompson on 23 Dec 1937 in Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware [17]. She died on 06 Sep 2007 in Louisville, Boulder, Colorado and was buried on 15 Sep at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston, Harris, Texas [15, 16].

4) Olive Irene Erickson [5, 6] was born on 21 Feb 1912 in North Muskegon. She drowned in Lake Michigan on 03 Jan 1934 and was buried on 06 Jan at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.

5) Dorothy Maxine Erickson [5, 6, 19, 22] married Charles Fremont Latimer, Jr. on 26 Dec 1935 in North Muskegon.

6) Norval Lyman Erickson [5, 6, 19, 22] married 1st Wilma Frances Long on 14 Aug 1939 in New Martinsville, Wetzel, West Virginia and 2nd Ethel R. Olson on 25 Apr 1988 in St. Ignace, Mackinac, Michigan.

7) Maurine Liberty Erickson [5, 6, 19, 22] married Ralph William Rea on 24 Dec 1936 in Muskegon.

8) Lucille Pamela Erickson [5, 19, 22] married Charles Edward Katzenberger, Sr. on 26 Sep 1946.

9) Geraldine Ann Erickson [5, 19, 22] was born on 17 Jun 1922 in North Muskegon. She married John Max Schuster on 24 Jul 1943 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. She died on 13 Sep 1984 in Detroit and was buried at Laketon Township Cemetery in Laketon, Luce, Michigan.

10) Lorraine Jean Erickson [5, 19, 22], fraternal twin of Elaine, married Edwin Mallard Brearley on 10 Aug 1946 in North Muskegon.

11) Elaine June Erickson [5, 19, 22], fraternal twin of Lorraine, married Jack Roger Goudzwaard on 28 Jun 1947 in North Muskegon.

References

[1] United States Military Draft Records. World War I Draft Card, Iver Frank Erickson, Muskegon, Michigan.

[2] Death Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Death certificate for Iver Frank Erickson; State File No. 219.

[3] Birth Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Delayed Registration of Birth for Evelyn Thorst Erickson.

[4] Cemetery Records of Muskegon Co., Mich., Volume 3, Muskegon Co. Genealogical Society, 1983. Page 133, Oakhurst Cemetery.

[5] 1930 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 273 B.

[6] 1920 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 66 B.

[7] Marriage Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Marriage license for Iver Frank Erickson and Maude Emeline Covell; No. 5598.

[8] Muskegon City and County Directory, 1921, R. L. Polk & Co., Detroit, MI, 1921. Page 365.

[9] 1910 United States Census. Muskegon County, Michigan, Page 150 A.

[10] Birth Records of Oceana County, Michigan. Birth certificate for Maude Emeline Covell, Record Number 9.

[11] Death Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Death certificate for Maude Emeline Covell; State File No. 157.

[12] The Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan. 04 Jan 1934.

[13] Grand Rapids Herald, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 04 Jan 1934.

[14] Thompson Family Dictionary.

[15] Death Records of Boulder County, Colorado. Death certificate for Evelyn Thorst Erickson.

[16] The Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan. 12 Sep 2007; Obituary for Evelyn Thorst Erickson.

[17] Marriage Records of Delaware. Certificate of Marriage for Clark Minard Thompson and Evelyn Thorst Erickson, 1937 / #1559.

Richard Comfort, Sr.

Richard Comfort, Sr. (Erickson line) was born on 15 Aug 1745 in Fishkill, Dutchess, New York [1, 2]. He married a woman named Charity whose surname is believed to have been either Young or Perkins. Charity was born on 22 May 1748 [1, 2]. Richard and Charity are my 5th great-grandparents.

During the American Revolution, Richard served as a private in the Captain Thomas Storm Company of the Colonel Abraham Brinkerhoff Regiment (Second Regiment), Duchess County, NY militia [3]. He is also listed in the Ulster County Militia for the 3rd Regiment [4].

Richard signed a will on 20 Jan 1815 in Tioga County, New York [5]. He died on 06 Mar 1824 in Southport, Chemung, New York [1, 2] and was buried in the Wellsburg Baptist Church Cemetery in Wellsburg, Chemung, New York [1]. Charity died soon after on 11 Jul 1815 in Tioga County, New York [1, 2]. She was buried next to her husband [1].

Richard's estate was in probate on 13 Mar 1824 in Tioga County, New York [5].

Regarding Richard's vital statistics, the Bible record or its transcription incorrectly has Richard Sr.'s birth date listed as his son Richard, Jr.'s. It also states his death date as 17 Jan. I have assumed the grave marker and the cemetery book transcription are correct.

Children of Richard Comfort, Sr. and Charity Young:

1) Edward Comfort [2] was born on 17 Nov 1770 [2]. He died on 06 Jan 1852 [2].

2) Robert Comfort [2] was born on 16 Aug 1772 [2].

3) Elizabeth Comfort [2] was born on 11 Aug 1773 [2]. She died on 17 Jan 1852 [2].

4) Jacob Comfort [2] was born on 08 Jan 1775 [1, 2]. He married Lydia Owens. He died on 21 Sep 1812 and was buried at Wellsburg Baptist Cemetery in Wellsburg, Chemung, New York [1, 2].

5) John Comfort [2] was born on 21 Oct 1776 [2]. He died in Apr 1851 [2].

6) Sarah Comfort [2] was born on 02 Aug 1778 [2]. She married Philip Depuy. She died on 05 Oct 1837.

7) Mary Comfort [2] was born on 10 Sep 1780 [2].

8) Hannah Comfort [2] was born on 29 Aug 1782 in New York [1, 2, 6, 7]. She married Jeremiah Coleman, III about 1803. She died on 22 Apr 1857 in Chemung County, New York and was buried at Wellsburg Baptist Cemetery in Wellsburg, Chemung, New York [1].

9) Benjamin Comfort [2] was born on 21 Oct 1784 [2]. He died in Apr 1851.

10) Richard Comfort, Jr. [2] was born on 17 Apr 1787 [1, 2]. He married Hannah DeVad on 12 Aug 1807 [2]. He died on 13 Nov 1840 and was buried at Wellsburg Baptist Cemetery in Wellsburg, Chemung, New York [1].

11) Charity Comfort [2] was born on 31 Jan 1789 [2].

12) Mercy Comfort [2] was born on 07 Dec 1790 [2].

13) Thomas Comfort [2] was born on 30 Apr 1794 [2]. He married Abigail Davids.

References:

[1] Tice, Joyce M., Tri-Counties Genealogy and History. Cemetery Record for Wellsburg or Baptist Church Cemetery, Chemung County, Page 2.

[2] Ibid. Comfort "Bible" Record.

[3] Roberts, James A., New York in the Revolution as Colony and State, Second Edition, Press of Brandow Printing Company, 1898. Page 136, Dutchess County Militia - Second Regiment.

[4] Ibid. Page 195, Ulster County Militia - Third Regiment.

[5] Tice, Joyce M., Tri-Counties Genealogy and History. Tioga County, NY Wills for early Chemung Residents.

[6] Tice, Joyce M., Tri-Counties Genealogy and History. Miller-Coleman Bible Record.

[7] 1850 United States Census. Chemung County, New York, Page 327 A.

The Frank Erickson Family

Today's photograph is of the Frank Erickson family of Muskegon, Michigan from circa 1908. It was sent to me by either my Dad's cousin Judi or a more distant cousin named Al Covell.

The Frank Erickson family, circa 1908

Standing (left to right): Ewald Walfred Erickson, Mauritz Emanuel Erickson, Anna Christina Larson, Selma Finelia Erickson, and Esther Ceraphia Erickson

Sitting (left to right): Anna Sophia Erickson, Frank Erickson, Hilma Cecelia Erickson, and Iver Frank Erickson

Jonathan Covell

Jonathan Covell (Erickson line) was born on 14 Feb 1748/9 in Dover, Norfolk, Massachusetts to James Covell and Sarah Grover. He was christened on 26 Feb 1749/50 at the South Killingly Congregational Church in Killingly, Connecticut. He married Mary Pickens in 1773 in Dover, Dutchess, New York, USA. Jonathan and Mary are my 5th great-grandparents.

Mary was born about 1747 in Massachusetts [1]. Nothing is known of her parentage or ancestry.

During the American Revolution, Jonathan served as a private in the Captain Samuel Hodges Company, Colonel Lewis Van Woert's Regiment (16th Regiment), Albany County Militia [2]. He is also listed in the Albany County Militia Land Bounty Rights for the 14th Regiment [3]. After the war he settled in Washington County, New York and according to census records lived there the rest of his life.

Mary died on 22 Aug 1816 in Hartford, Washington, New York [1]. She was buried in the Old Hartford Cemetery [1].

After Mary's death, Jonathan remarried to Patience Mercer on 21 Jun 1817 in Troy, Rensselaer, New York.

Jonathan signed a will on 30 May 1829 [4] and died on 24 Jul 1831 in Hartford, Washington, New York [1]. He was buried next to his first wife Mary in the Old Hartford Cemetery [1]. In Aug 2008, a grave marker for Jonathan could not be located. Only a marker for Mary was found. His estate is in probate on 15 Oct 1831 in Washington County, New York [5, 6].

Children of Jonathan Covell and Mary Pickens:

1) Sally Covell [4] was born in 1774 in Hartford, Washington, New York. She married John Cummins. She died before 1860 in Ridgebury, Bradford, Pennsylvania.

2) James Covell, Sr. was born on 08 Mar 1777 in Washington County, New York [7]. He married 1st Rebecca B. Pierce about 1797 and 2nd Hannah Scribner Courtwright after 1848. He died on 21 Mar 1865 in Bentley Creek, Bradford, Pennsylvania and was buried at Ashland Cemetery in Wellsburg, Chemung, New York [7].

3) John Covell was born in 1779 in New York. He died after 22 Feb 1804.

4) Mary Covell [4] was born on 02 Sep 1781 in Bennington, Bennington, Vermont. She married Calvin Townsend. She died on 31 May 1867.

5) William Covell [4] was born on 26 Feb 1783 in Westfield, Washington, New York. He married Elizabeth Pickens. He died on 24 Sep 1843 in South Hartford, Washington, New York and was buried at Old Hartford Cemetery [1].

References

[1] Cemetery Records, The Town of Hartford, Washington County, New York, Historical Data Services, Queensbury, NY. Page 58, Old Hartford Cemetery.

[2] Roberts, James A., New York in the Revolution as Colony and State, Second Edition, Press of Brandow Printing Company, 1898. Page 131, Albany County Militia - Sixteenth Regiment.

[3] Ibid. Page 235, Albany County Militia Land Bounty Rights - Fourteenth Regiment.

[4] Probate Court Records of Washington County, New York. Will Book A1, page 270.

[5] Ibid. Will Book A1, pages 271 and 272.

[6] Ibid. Will Book A2, page 158.

[7] Tice, Joyce M., Tri-Counties Genealogy and History. Cemetery Record for Ashland Cemetery, Chemung County, Page 4 (Comstock to Dean).