The Vice-President of our Veterans’ Association, E

E.T. Erickson

Earliest Vice President

Veterans’ Association of the Chicago & North Western Railway

Little is known about the first Officers of the Veterans’ Association, but E.T. Erickson is one exception. Erickson was elected Vice President at the founding meeting of the Veterans’ Association on December 9, 1924 and served on the initial slate of Officers.

Erickson was born near Christianssund, Norway on July 30, 1861 and came to the United States with his parents in July 1867, settling on a farm near Calamus, Iowa. He was first employed by the Chicago & North Western Railway during the winters of 1877, 1878 and 1879 under Foreman Mike Waters to shovel engine sand in cars from the gravel pit near the Wapsie River, west of Calamus, Iowa,. Later, he worked as a section laborer under Foreman Waters at Wheatland in 1881 and the early part of 1882. He again worked as a section laborer under Foreman Reynolds at Gilbert, Iowa during the summer of 1886 and winters of 1886 and 1887.

He began studying telegraphy with Agent W.L. Marshall, of Gilbert, in November 1886, working on the section during the day and studying telegraphy and station work in the evenings. His first employment as a night telegrapher was in April 1887 at LaMoille, Iowa, which at the time was a stop for all trains. A great many train orders were handled at this station, and Mr. Erickson stated that due to not having a great deal of experience in handling station wire work, he had difficulty at times in following the dispatcher. He discovered that in order to become proficient, it was necessary to practice continuously: he did so, and it was not long before his wire troubles ceased.

In October 1887, he was assigned to the Agency at Ontario, Iowa, remaining there for over two years, and subsequently served as Agent at LeGrand and Wall Lake, Iowa. In June 1900, he was transferred to Parkersburg, Iowa where he opened that station on the 15th of June. In late 1905, he was transferred to What Cheer for about two years, then returning to Parkersburg. Later, he served as Agent at Lake Mills, Iowa and on March 1, 1912, he was appointed to the Agency at Mason City, Iowa, a position it is believed he held until his retirement. At the time this account was written (1924), Mr. Erickson was the oldest Agent in terms of service on the Iowa and Minnesota Division.

Revised: 12/26/04