From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 666.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 666.

H. Erickson, one of the substantial and leading agriculturists of Madison township, was born in Norway on the 7th of April, 1848. His father was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in Norway. Mr. Erickson was reared under the parental roof and obtained a common-school education, but his opportunities in that direction were limited, for the schoolhouse was so far distant from his home that regular attendance was out of the question. On attaining his majority he determined to test the truth of the reports which he had heard concerning the many advantages to be enjoyed in the new world and in 1869 crossed the Atlantic to the United States. During the summer of that years he worked as a farm hand in Mount Carroll, Carroll county, Illinois, and in the fall went tip the Mississippi river on a flat boat to the northern part of Iowa, renting a farm in Winneshiek county. Two years later, in association with his two brothers, Oliver and Erick, he purchased an eighty-acre tract of grub land for one thousand dollars. The three brothers cleared the land and soon developed a good farm which they successfully operated for about four years, during which time they kept "bachelor's hall." In 1875, H. Erickson and his brother Oliver came to Jones county, leaving Erick in Winneshiek county. Mr. Erickson of this review purchased a farm of eighty acres in Madison township, on which he made his home for about nine years, when he took up his abode on a tract of eighty acres cornering on the former place. Subsequently he bought a third farm of eighty acres, erected thereon a modern and substantial residence and barns and removed to the place in 1907, since which time it has remained his home. He has met with a gratifying and highly creditable degree of prosperity in the conduct of his agricultural interests and has long been numbered among the prosperous, enterprising and representative citizens of the community.

In 1878, Mr. Erickson was united in marriage to Miss Helen Anderson, who was born in Fulton, Illinois, but was residing in Madison township, this county, at the time of her wedding. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been born three children, as follows: Elsie, the wife of Harry Manuel, of Madison township, Jones county: Zachariah, who wedded Miss Geneva Rolfshus, of Mabel, Minnesota, and cultivates his father's old home farm of one hundred and sixty acres; and Herman, a graduate of the Wyoming high school, who is now teaching school and preparing for a college course.

In his political views Mr. Erickson is a stanch republican, but he has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Both he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, and though he started out in life empty-handed he has gradually worked his way upward, enjoying the advantages offered in this country, which is unhampered by caste or class.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 111.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 695.

Charles Wilbert Eye attended the common schools from which he received fair instruction in the rudimentary branches of English education. He worked with his father during vacations, so that when twelve years ago he decided to engage in farming for himself, he was not unprepared for his responsibilities. It was in 1897 that he rented a farm in the neighborhood in which he had grown to manhood and four years later he assumed the management of his father's place, while in 1907 he purchased the land on which he lives and works today.

It is a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, well improved, and cultivated in a way to obtain the largest harvests possible. In addition to the raising of cereals, Mr. Eye has engaged extensively in the stock business for the last four years making a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle. In the fall of 1909 he had two carloads ready for the market and as they were fine animals, he disposed of them with a handsome profit to himself. His income, sufficient to permit his enjoyment of many of the luxuries of life is earnest of the industry with which he has pursued the calling to which he has devoted himself.

In 1896 Mr. Eye was united in marriage to Miss Bertha N. Wright, of Wyoming, and they now have two sons and a daughter: Charles H., Joyce 0. and Loyal E. He and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Since he has been of an age to exercise the franchise right of every American citizen he has cast his ballot invariably for the candidate of the democratic party, as he places the utmost reliance in the ideas promulgated by it. He has never sought official preferment for himself, however, although the success which he has won in his work and the strong qualities of his personality would naturally suggest him to the minds of his fellows as an efficient trustee of the people's interests.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 573.

Being the oldest of this family W. W. Eye bore his share of the early hardships of the family, assisting in the farm work even during his school days. He received a fair education from the popular institutions of instruction and remained with his parents until he became twenty-five, when he married and started in life for himself. At first he rented his father's place and later bought the farm on which he now lives. It consists of one hundred and fifty-two acres on which he carries on general farming, with a success that has made him one of the substantial agriculturists of Wyoming township. His fields are well improved and cultivated to a high degree, in their appearance evincing the skill and thrift of their owner.

On the 5th of March, 1881, Mr. Eye wedded Miss Ellen Taylor, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, a daughter of James and Lucina Taylor, both natives of Kentucky. Of this union twelve children were born: R. W., who is living in South Dakota; Albert W., who is now in Idaho; Lucina M., who is the wife of P. W. Bodenhofer, of Moline, Illinois; L. Maude, Ora E. and William A., who are at home; Verna T. and Vera M., who are twins; and four who have passed away. Mrs. Eye died March 15, 1903, and was buried in North Mineral Cemetery, Wyoming.

Mr. Eye is a democrat in his political views, but he has never sought nor held any office within the gift of the people. He gives his religious adherence to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was a devout member and in whose work he takes a deep interest.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 152.