Volume 10 , Issue 41

Alva (OK) Pioneer - Francis Marion Erikson

On page 207 thru 209, of northwest Oklahoma's history book entitled Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County, had the following information about the ERIKSON family legacy:

John Dedric Erikson came to the USA from Bergen, Norway. he worked his passage over on a cattle boa landing in New York City, when he was a teenager. Jon was a cabinet maker by trade and had his apprenticeship certificate. In pursuit of opportunity he traveled west making his home in Putnam County, Missouri. Included in the accomplishments of his labors as a cabinet maker are several houses still in use there. his houses could hardly be torn down due tot he unique construction of pinning, tongue-groving and being morticed in an unusual manner.

Jon Dedric married Elizabeth A. Erikson and had three children including Plummer Jones Erikson.

Plummer married melinda Harlan and established a home in Sidney, Missouri where he was a farmer and trader. he moved to Iowa later and sponsored a show with a magic lantern, phonograph and French harp, traveling to schools to entertain the students. he spent his latter ears in Florida where he died in 1930. Plummer is buried in Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Francis Marion Erikson, born Dec. 28, 1883 in Putnam county, Missouri, was the eldest son of the Plummer Eriksons. At the age of only 15, Francis Erikson left Missouri to feed 300 head of steers for a Mr. Crumpacker in Nebraska. He undertook the total ranch operations. He cooked for himself in a dugout on the spread and was a part-time boarder with a family nearby.

Francis Marion Erikson married Myrtle Violet Moore, born in Skylar County, Mo, April 4, 1887 of English-Dutch descent. Myrtle's parents, William H. and Mathilda Moore, had come to Oklahoma in a wagon and homesteaded 28 miles northwest of Alva on the present day Eugene Moore place.

F. M. and Myrtle met on the Jim Holmes ranch when she was hired to assist Mrs. Gibson. The couple were married on Jan. 7, 1904 in the Renfrew building in Alva. For a wedding present her father gave them 12 laying hens and the couple often boasted of getting 12 eggs a day. At the time of their marriage R. M. ad acquired a herd of 50 head of cattle and several horses.

When F. M. and Myrtle were first married both worked for George Hodges north of Aetna. Francis then homesteaded a quarter section directly north of what is now the Hill Ranch house, but was then being proved up by Henry Reutlinger. Francis added to his property by buying out another homesteader. The Eriksons made their home in a dugout on the claim where their oldest daughter, Opal violet, was born. He later sold the half section to Henry Reutlinger.

Erikson later bought a homestead in the yellowstone area directly north of Faulkner, 26 miles northwest of Alva, now the Howard Erikson ranch, from his father-in-law.

Francis and Myrtle's children were: William Herbert "Buck", mabel Calre, Irene Ruth "Babe", Pearl Marie, Howard Plummer "BunK", Virgil V. "Buster", Irish, Earl Elwood "Wienie", Francis Marion Jr., Lorna Dee, and Georgia Elaine (who died Oct. 14, 1929).

Frncis & Myrtle's son, Virgil V. "Buster" Erikson, married Rosie Mayes and lived in rural Alva. They ad a son Larry, born October 11, 1938 and died February 8, 1944.

Francis Marion (F.M.) Erikson was fond of horses and at one time had a herd of 40 head. His main goal in life was for his children to get an education. Myrtle V. Erikson died March 13, 1949 and F. M. Erikson, Oct 14, 1963.
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