Brita (Bessie) ERICKSON

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1965-MN-003210
• Occupation: Tailor
• Baptism: 31 Oct 1958, Grace Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota
• Confirmation: 31 Oct 1958, Grace Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota

Notes:

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry calls her “Mårs Brita Bess Erickson,” born on or in Mårs in Rättvik. Greg Loftness also has Bess’s departure as 5 May 1884 from Vikarbyn. That date is based on the family’s entry in “Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books.” She departed with both parents.

Cora called Bess "the best person who walked in two shoes."

Rattvik is located in Dalarna province on Lake Siljan in Sweden's central "lake district." Dalarna is considered the most Swedish of all of Sweden's 24 provinces. From it, Gustav Vasa recruited the army that freed the country from Danish domination in the 16th century. Bess was five years old when her family emigrated from Sweden in 1882 or 1883.

The Ericksons were living at Franklin and Minnehaha when Bess met Al Carlson. Al and Bess were married at the end of March, 1895, in Nelson, Wisconsin, across the river from Wabasha, Minnesota. Bess and Al were in Wabasha when Maurice was born.

Bess and Al ran a hardware store with Maurice near the corner of 38th and Chicago (SE corner, 2nd from the corner, Martin grocery store was on the corner). They were running the store when Maurice and Cora married. About that time Bess and Al moved to Minnetonka. (Maurice and Cora lived with them there for about a year-and-a-half between September of 1916 and May of 1917.) Then Bess and Al moved back into town to 40th and 11th Avenue. From there, in about 1920, they sold everything and moved to California. They stayed in California for less than a year. When they returned, they stayed with Maurice for three years (1921-1924, at 39th and Bloomington?) and then built the houses on Minnehaha Avenue. Bess lived in the Minnehaha house until November of 1960 when she moved to live with her grandson at 2239 East Old Shakopee Road in Bloomington. She spent her last few months of life in a nursing home in Hopkins where she died.

In the 1930 census, Maurice's and Bess's houses are shown as worth $7500 each. Bess was renting out part of her house at $35/mo to Arthur and Violet Nash. He was a school teacher, she was a hairdresser. Bess is shown as having emigrated in 1883.

In the 1940 census, Bess is shown as having no income. Her house is worth $3000. Living with her is Clara Lynch, lodger, a 48 year-old divorcee who worked as a housekeeper in a private home. Living in the other apartment at 4228 Minnehaha was Harold and Ann Cleven, both 30 years old. Their rent was $38 per month.

Cora refers to Bess having a store at the time of the Armistice Day Blizzard in 1940. There is no indication of this in the city directories.

Bess apparently avoided the inevitable divorce from Al as long as she could. Cora says that Bess bribed Al to stay with her.

Bess spent quite some time in the hospital in the spring of 1943.

A photo and article in the Tribune’s 24 Sep 1945 edition had Bess as the president of the Minneapolis Social Club.

In the 1950 census, she lived in the upstairs apartment at 4228 Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis. Living with her in that apartment was Erleida J Holmes (possibly Holmer), a 57 year-old widow born in Norway. Neither Bess nor her lodger were employed. Living in the downstairs apartment at that address was Cecil and Edna Markley. Cecil was clerk at a telegraph company. Bess’s neighbors to the north, at 4226 were the sisters Olga and Jean Westberg. Olga was the proprietor of a beauty parlor and Jean was her employee.

Bess was a piano player and an artist and a "healer." She played the piano in a Swedish ladies' society and at some point played the piano at the Dania Hall on Cedar Avenue near Riverside. She rarely missed a Svenskarnas Dag at Minnehaha Park. She was at Minnehaha Park on June 17, 1956, at the time her son died.

Bess may have been at Minnehaha Park on June 17, 1956, celebrating a “Svithiod Day” outing. This was apparently a mid-summer festival (“dancing, good food, entertainment”) held annually by the Independent Order of Svithiod of which Bess was a member of the Society’s #49 Harmony Lodge. Bess had been admitted as a member of Harmony Lodge on June 6, 1923.

The Independent Order of Svithiod was founded in 1880 and had extensive membership, in the form of lodges, in the Twin Cities as well as the Chicago areas. In 1965, in an issue of its journal that included mention of Bessie Carlson’s death, the Order had a nursing home in Niles, Illinois, and published its journal out of Mount Morris, Illinois. The headquarters was at 205 West Wacker Drive in Chicago.

Bess was also a member of what she and they referred to as the “Swedish Sisters.” This had to be different from the Harmony Lodge because the Svithiod Order was for men and women. Several of the “Swedish Sisters” indicated as such when the entered their names in the guest book for Bess’s funeral. Several members of the Harmony Lodge also indicated as such when they entered their names in the guest book. The Harmony Lodge also sent flowers for Bess’s funeral.

Bess was in charge of various events held by the Swedish Sisters. The group had its “golden jubilee” in late September of 1936 at Eagles’ Hall, 117 4th Street SE.

A thief stole the purses of four guests at Bess’s home on June 25, 1942. The heist also included a diaper bag with 16 changes of diapers. The thief entered through a bedroom window. The purses had next to zero money. The diaper bag had 10 soiled (of the 16) diapers.

She was president of the Minneapolis Social Club, Inc. in 1945.

Received her Social Security number in March of 1943. Applied for Social Security benefits in June of 1962.

Bess moved to the Hopkins Nursing Home at 724 Washington Avenue S. in Hopkins at the end of September, 1964.

Bess came to religion late in life and was baptized in her 80s at Grace Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Pastor Harold Hofstad, pastor of Grace, officiated at her funeral. (Werness Brothers, Minneapolis)

Bess died at Hopkins Nursing Home where she had been for 5 months. She died of pneumonia, a complication of cervical cancer. Her grandson Donald H Carlson was the informant for her death certificate.

  CARLSON, BESSIE  
Minnesota Death Certificate ID# 1965-MN-003210   
Date of Birth: 09/12/1877
Place of Birth: OUT OF STATE
Mother Maiden Name: JOHNSON
Date of Death: 02/22/1965
County of Death: HENNEPIN

Bess’s funeral was at 1:00 PM at Werness Bros. chapel.

Bess’s cemetery plot is Block 7A, Lot 73.

Pallbearers were George R. Booth, Jr., George F. Booth, Durward Erickson, Leonard Reiland, Leonard Reiland, Jr., and Wallace Erickson.

Died:
“Bess died at 3:30 this morning.”

Brita married Johan Alfred CARLSON on 31 Mar 1895 in Nelson, Buffalo County, Wisconsin, and was divorced in Dec 1929 in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Johan (son of Salomon CARLSSON and Emelie/Emmeli Wilhelmina (Emma) LUNDBERG) was born on 12 Mar 1872 in Berghem, Kånna, Kronobergs län, Sweden; died on 6 Jun 1952 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota; was buried on 9 Jun 1952 in Sunset Memorial Park, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Wisconsin County Marriages on FS. As J.A. Carlson and Bessie Erickson. Parents S. Carlson, Emma Carlson, Daniel Erickson, Bessie Erickson.

Divorced:
as Bessie Carlson from Alfred Carlson, reported in the 18 Dec 1929 editon of the Star

1. Maurice Edward CARLSON was born on 30 Aug 1895 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota; died on 17 Jun 1956 in Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota; was buried on 20 Jun 1956 in Sunset Memorial Park, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1910-MN-000189
• Occupation: Mason, Farmer
• Baptism: 18 Aug 1854, Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden

Notes:

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry calls Daniel “Mårs Daniel Erickson,” born on or in Mårs in Rättvik.

The marriage record for Daniel and Brita in Rättvik church book shows that Daniel was born in Wikarbyn 46 and Britta was born in Oja 5. In Bess’s birth record, Daniel’s birth place is Vikarbyn.

The parish record for Rättvik, Kopparberg, Sweden, shows that Daniel and Brita emigrated to the U.S. with one child, Brita. Daniel Erickson is shown as having been born August 11, 1854, his wife Brita Jonsdatter is shown as having been born March 25, 1857, and their daughter Brita is shown as having been born September 12, 1877. An accompanying parenthetical comment that is hard to read suggests that the family actually left the parish in 1883. This is further suggested by the fact that their entry in the parish’s 1884 emigration log does not have a date. The family’s residence is given as Wikarbyn 55. Their folio number in the förhörsboken is 276/2.

In the 1878-1887 Household Examination (at 276 in Vol. 2), the family’s entry contains the note that the family left for Minnesota in N. Amerika. The note seems to indicate that although the household examination says 1884, the out-migration record says 1883. Nevertheless, the last entry for Daniel in the household examination is in 1880. Column 1881 is empty and the column for 1882 says, simply, “i Amerika.” Brita, on the other hand, has full entries for 1881 and 1882. This suggests that Daniel may have emigrated up to two years before Brita and Bess. The 1900 U.S. census shows 1882 as the arrival date for Erik and Betsey.

EmiHamn has a Daniel Eriksson, b. ca 1855, leaving Grangärde, Dalarna Län, bound for New York, on 16 Jul 1880.

The 1881 Minneapolis city directory includes a Daniel Erickson, laborer, living at 29 20th Ave S.

The 1882 Minneapolis city directory records a Daniel Erickson, stone mason, with his business (and perhaps his residence) at 1825 3½ Avenue S.

The 1884 Minneapolis city directory has Daniel Erickson, bricklayer, residing at 2009 22nd Ave S and a Daniel Erickson, mason, residing at 2009 Franklin Ave S.

In the 1885 state census, he is probably the “D Erickson” living in Minneapolis (no age given but born in Sweden) with “K Erickson”, age 28, born in Sweden, and “Betsy” Erickson, age 7, born in Sweden. The household includes a 28 year-old male, B. J. Johnson. The census-taker was not Swedish.

The 1885-86 Minneapolis city directory records a Daniel Erickson, bricklayer, residing at 237 14th Avenue S.

The 1887 Minneapolis city directory records a D. Erickson, bricklayer, residing at 821 28th Ave. S.

The 1888 Minneapolis city directory records a Daniel Erickson, bricklayer for B Aronson, living at 821 28th Avenue S.

The 1890 Minneapolis city directory records a Daniel Erickson, “mason” living at 2700 East Franklin Avenue.

The 1892-93 directory records a Daniel Erickson, bricklayer, at 2700 Franklin Avenue.

The 1894-1895 and 1895-1896 directories record Daniel, bricklayer, at 1923 Washington Avenue S.

In the 1897 Minneapolis city directory, he is Daniel Erickson, bricklayer, living at the rear of 1416 S 3rd.

Daniel was a bricklayer who worked on the construction of the courthouse in Minneapolis. Construction of the Minneapolis City Hall/Municipal Building began in 1888 and continued through 1906.

All of the Erickson family records were destroyed in a fire.

In the 1895 Minnesota state census, the family is still in Minneapolis, apparently at 1923 Washington Avenue. The household is Daniel, 40, Betsy, 38, Erick, 8, and Daniel W., 6 months. The family had been in Minneapolis for 13 years. Daniel was a brick mason and had been employed for only 4 months the previous year.

In the 1900 census, Daniel and family were living on a farm they owned in the town of St. Francis, Anoka County. The family is listed as Daniel, 45 (born Aug 1854), Betsy, 43 (born March 1857), Erick, 13 (born October 1886), William, 5 (born December 1894), and John, 1 (born May 1899). Betsy had had four children, all still living. Daniel and Betsy had emigrated from Sweden in 1882. Daniel and Betsy had been married 24 years. Betsy is shown as being unable to read or write or to speak English. Daniel was able to do all three.

In the 1905 state census, Daniel and family were living in St. Francis, Anoka County, with a postal address of RFD #3. The family before him on the census form was the Charley and Augusta Youngquist family. One of the families listed not too many lines down was Wiese. Daniel’s family consisted of Daniel, 51, a bricklayer, Bitta, 48, Eric, 18, William, 10, and John, 6. They had been in the present enumeration district for 6 years.

He died from pleuro pneumonia (which he’d had for 7 days) complicated by heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver. Cora said Daniel was a drinker. Judy said he was not. Cora also said that Daniel’s death was precipitated by a fall down his stairs.

Birth:
Wikadyn #36 according to the birth record. An erroneous August 11th or August 14th date appears in some sources, probably because a seven can look like a one or a four.

Buried:
Lot 2, Blk 11, Sec 2

Daniel married Brita (Betsy) JONSDOTTER (JOHNSON) on 28 Nov 1875 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden. Brita (daughter of Jon JONSSON and Brita ERIKSDOTTER) was born on 25 Mar 1857 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden; died on 31 May 1921 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota; was buried on 2 Jun 1921 in Oak Leaf Cemetery, Bethel, Anoka County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1921-MN-018320
• Baptism: 25 Mar 1857, Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden

Notes:

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry calls her “Björk Brita Betsey Jonsson,” born on or in Björk in Rättvik.

Brita Jonsdotter in Bess’s birth record.

An unmarried Brita Jonsdotter gave birth to a son, Carl, on April 1, 1874, in Rättvik. No father’s name shown.

In EmiHamn, she is probably the Brita Ericsson, b. ca 1858, leaving “Gagnef Dalarna Län” for “Anoka” on 18 Nov 1881. If true, that is in conflict with a later record showing the whole family leaving in 1884.

At the time of the 1910 census, Betsie is still living on the farm in Bethel. The farm is mortgaged. Betsie, 54, is now a widow living with her sons William, 15, and John, 10, and daughter Mamie, 8. Betsie is shown as having had 6 children, 5 still living. Betsie is shown as having emigrated in 1878.

In the 1914 plat map of Bethel Township, she may be the “B.E.” shown as owning a ten acre farm in Section 31. Specifically, it is the eastern 10-acre quarter of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 31. It’s about half a mile southwest of Minard Lake.

In the 1919 Minneapolis city directory, as Betsy Erickson, she lives at 3146 Bloomington Avenue. She is the widow of Daniel.

In the 1920 and 1921 Minneapolis city directories, as Betsy Erickson, widow of Daniel, she lives at 1822 S 5th.

At the time of the 1920 census, Betsy Erickson was living at 1822 5th Street in Minneapolis with her son John and three boarders: her daughter May, May’s husband Stephen, and a man named Oscar Dahl. Shown as having immigrated in 1882 or 1883. {Listed as Beaty Erickson in the 1920 Census index in Ancestry.com.}

From the city directories, it appears that Daniel moved his family to a farm in St. Francis in Anoka County in about 1898. Betsey, now widowed, returned to Minneapolis in 1917 and lived at several addresses, with John and Mayme, until her death in 1921. In 1917, she and her children were at Flat 3, 904 21st Avenue South. In 1918, they lived at 3840 29th Avenue South. In 1919, they lived at 3146 Bloomington Avenue. And by 1920, they were at 1822 South 5th Street where she lived until her death. Her death is mentioned in the 1922 city directory in which it lists the death of a Bettse Erickson on May 31, 1921, at age 64.

Referred to in the death notice in the Minneapolis newspaper as Bettse Erickson, 64, 1822 5th St. S. That was also her address in her death certificate. Al Carlson was the informant for her death certificate.

She died of intestinal cancer. She had had an exploratory operation shortly before her death.

Birth:
Öja 5

Baptism:
No date was given but this is the date of the baptism of the previous entry in the birth register.

Died:
St. Mary’s Hospital

Buried:
Lot 2, Blk 11, Sec 2, as “Betse”

Notes:

Married:
As Daniel Ersson and Brita Jonsdotter. The entry for Bess’s birth record erroneously shows 22 Nov.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 22 Aug 1819, Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden

Notes:

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry calls him “Mårs Erick Erickson,” born on or in Mårs in Rättvik.

Presumably, he is the Erik Eriksson listed above, and on the same page as, Daniel and Brita in the 1878-1887 Household Examination. His wife is shown as Brita Hansdotter and they have a daughter, Anna, b. 1851, living with them.

In the 1868-1877 Household Examination he and his family are listed at 274/2, Wikarbyn No. 46.

The 1878-1887 Household Examination (Rättvik, 276/2, Wikarbyn) says that Erik left for North Amerika on 21 Apr 1886, out-migration record number 24. Presumably Erik left with his wife. The last entry in the household examination is in the 1886 column.

In the Out-Migration book in the Rättvik church records, he and his wife are entry 24 for the year 1886. The are shown as leaving Wikarbyn for Minnesota in N. Amerika on 21 Apr 1886. Leaving with them are his son Hans Ersson, b. 10 Mar 1849 and Hans’s wife Kerstin Olsdotter, b. 8 Jun 1850.

The Minnesota state census of 1895 appears to have him and his wife living in Wyanett in Isanti County.

A different Erik Erickson died in Iowa 1912. His probated will in Franklin County refers to his sons Carl and Emil as his heirs.

Eric married Brita Hansdotter BEYER on 26 Dec 1841 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden. Brita (daughter of Hans DANIELSSON and Brita ERICSDOTTER) was born on 14 Dec 1818 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden; died on 3 Aug 1906 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 14 Dec 1818, Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden

Notes:

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry calls her “Mårs Brita Hansdotter,” born on or in Mårs in Rättvik. He also has her dying in Rättvik on 3 Aug 1906, consistent with “Sweden, Indexed Death Records.” She must have returned to Sweden after emigrating to Minnesota with her husband and son in 1886.

Referred to as Brita Bizer on Daniel’s death certificate. Another interpretation of that last name (in FamilySearch) is Bijes.

FamilySearch has her as Brita Maria Hansdotter, b. 26 Jan 1817, d. 1880.

Notes:

Married:
Date from the 1868-1877 Household Examination.

Notes:

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry calls Jon “Mårs Jon Jonsson,” born on or in Mårs in Rättvik.

Betsy’s death certificate, for which Al Carlson was the informant, gave her father’s name as Johan Johnson.

Betsy’s birth record shows her father as “Björk Jon Jonsson.”

In the 1847-1857 Rättvik Household Examination, he and his family were listed with his wife’s family at 228/1 Öja 5 Ingeborgs. The note for him in the Ankom column seems to say that he came to Öja from Wikarbyn 12 or 92 in 1849.

In the 1858-1867 Rättvik Household Examination, he and his family are listed at 213/1 for #5 Björk, Öja.

Birth:
the date is unclear but Greg Loftness agrees; Vikarbyn

Died:
per Greg Loftness

Jon married Brita ERIKSDOTTER on 30 Jan 1842. Brita (daughter of Erik ERSSON and Brita ANDERSDOTTER) was born on 24 Sep 1819 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden; died on 18 Oct 1893 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 26 Sep 1819, Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden

Notes:

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry calls her “Björk Brita Ersdotter,” born on or in Björk in Rättvik.

Her birth record in the church book (Births, C:7, p. 150 of 396) shows her father as Ingeborgs Eric Ericsson Öija and Brita Andersdotter, age 35.

Her daughter Betsy’s death certificate, for which Betsy’s son-in-law Al Carlson was the informant, shows Betsy’s mother’s name as Britte. There was a question mark after it so Al may have been unsure (but he was right).

Betsy’s birth record shows her mother’s name as Brita Ersdotter.

Died:
per Greg Loftness and “Sweden, Indexed Death Records”

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: May 1787, Vikarbyn, Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden

Notes:

Geni World Family Tree says that Eric was born 17 Aug 1787.

In the birth record for his son Eric, he is referred to as “Mårs Eric Jonsson i Wikarbyn.”

Birth:
Eric G Bostrom’s Bostrom, Frank Family Tree has him born 17 Aug 1787.

Eric married Brita ERICSDOTTER in 1812. Brita (daughter of Erik ERIKSSON and Margareta ANDERSDOTTER) was born on 8 Aug 1794 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden; died on 21 Aug 1876 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Info from Eric G Bostrom’s Bostrom, Frank Family Tree.

Birth:
Stumsnäs; other sources say 8 July

Died:
Vikarby

Notes:

In the 1818 birth record for his daughter Brita, he is referred to as “Carles Hans Danielsson i Wikarbyn.”

Hans married Brita ERICSDOTTER. Brita was born about 1787. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the 1818 birth record for her daughter Brita, she is referred to as 31 years old.

Notes:

Called Björk Jon Andersson by knowledgeable sources such as JoanErickson82.

Jon married Kerstin ANDERSDOTTER about 1810 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden. Kerstin was born about 1781 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden; died on 30 Jun 1855 in Mora, Kopparbergs län, Sweden. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

JoanErickson82 has Kerstin having a daughter Landbo Brita Ersdotter in 1796, father unknown.

Died:
JoanErickson82

Notes:

Nancy E calls him Ingeborgs Erik Ersson (1784-1867) and that the parents of that Erik were Erik Andersson (1755-1790) and Brita Ersdotter (1747-1810).

Nancy E also has the 1784 Ingeborgs Erik having a son Ingeborgs Anders Ersson (1807-1867), brother of Anna.

Greg Loftness’s family tree on Ancestry incorrectly calls him Erik Andersson, b. ca 1790 in Sweden.

Erik married Brita ANDERSDOTTER on 1 Feb 1807 in Rättvik, Dalarnas län, Sweden. Brita (daughter of Anders ANDERSSON) was born about 1784. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Nancy E says that the mother of Anna Ersdotter Oja was Brita Andersdotter (1784-1862), daughter of Anders Andersson.

Greg Loftness, as well as Dean, incorrectly call her Stina Greta Mattsdotter (b. ca 1768, d. 1860 in Rättvik), daughter of Mats Mattson (1735-1773, b. and d. in Vikarbyn) and Malin Danielsdotter (1738-1818, b. and d. in Vikarbyn).

Notes:

Married:
Vigsel E:1, p. 81 of 104: Eric Erson of Öija and Brita Andersdatter of Westbjörka; standing in for the groom’s deceased father was his brother Jon