With Courage Across the Sea

Walborg Jansdotter, born 1838, was a courageous woman who married Erick G. Erickson (Erik Eriksson) in 1860 in Sweden, at the age of 22. They had three children: Erik Gustaf, born 1861, Maria, born 1863, and Johan Emil, born 1864, all born in Torsby, Sweden. In 1864, baby Maria tragically died at less than two years of age.

Times were very hard in Värmland, Sweden in the mid-1800s. In 1866, Walborg and Erick decided that their only hope was for Erick to go to America and start over in a new land, with plans to send for Walborg and their young sons when he was able to. Erick embarked on a ship to America on 1866. He found his way to Minnesota, worked on building railroad tracks, and settled in Douglas County. Within two years, he had saved enough money to send tickets for Walborg and their sons to travel on a ship to America.

In 1868, young Erik Gustaf (called “Gust”) was 7 years old, and Johan was 4. Luckily, Erick’s brother Nils decided to immigrate too and travel with Walborg and the children to meet Erick in Minnesota. However, tragedy struck on the journey—Walborg became gravely ill en route and passed away at sea. Uncle Nils and the two little boys continued their journey, bringing the devastating news to Erick. The boys had not seen their father for over two years, and now they arrived without their beloved mother. Erick had to rely on friends to help him care for the boys as he worked long hours every day on the railroad crew.

In this time of hardship, another strong woman stepped into their lives. On 1869, Maria Christina Wahlin immigrated from Värmland, Sweden, at the age of 39. She had never married and traveled with her two brothers, settling in Minnesota. Two years later, on 1871, she married the widower Erick G. Erickson and became a mother to young Gust and Johan. Maria was 8 years older than her husband Erick. She took on the great responsibility of raising two young boys who had lost their mother and soon had children of her own. In 1872, she gave birth to Charles Mauritz Erikson, and in 1877, she had a daughter, Erica Wilhelmina (Minnie), who later became my grandmother. Maria was 47 years old when baby Minnie was born.

Maria proved to be a determined and hardworking woman. Erick farmed in Urness Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, and also worked for the railroad. Together, Erick and Maria bought more land and farmed many acres. Maria supported the family through the challenges of homesteading life while Erick worked to learn the English language. From 1889-1891, Erick served as Douglas County's Treasurer. In 1904, Erick and Maria moved north to Roseau County, Minnesota, where their son Charles was serving as County Sheriff. They bought farmland and built a home in Malung Township.

When Erick suffered a stroke in 1908, Maria's daughter Minnie, her husband Ole, and their six sons moved to Roseau County to help Maria care for him. Two more sons were later born to Minnie and Ole. Even after Erick passed away in 1915, Maria remained on the farm, where she continued working hard and was an active part of the community. Maria lived to be almost 100 years old, passing away in 1929. She was known for her resilience and even in her later years could still dance the polka! Both Maria and Erick are buried in Roseau County, as are Minnie and Ole.

Note from Vågespel: We have chosen to include this story in our project because Norway and Sweden were in union until 1905, a period covering almost the entirety of our focus on Norwegian women emigrating to America between 1825 and 1925. Maria and Walborg's stories highlight the sacrifices, courage, and resilience of the women who made the journey to a new world, often facing immense hardships and uncertainties. Their experiences mirror those of many Norwegian women who left their homeland in search of a better life.

‍

_{Cover image: Erika og Maria; Photo privat}

‍