Eric Westerlund

As printed in 1910

ERIC WESTERLUND.

Eric Westerlund is now living retired at his country home in Osco township, Henry county, Illinois, where for many years he was closely identified with agricultural pursuits, still owning two hundred acres situated on sections 33 and 28, and ninety acres in Andover township. As the name indicates he is a native of Sweden, having been born June 16, 1836, in Hassala, near Berge Byb Nora, Helsingland, a son of Eric A. and Elizabeth Westerlund, who with six of their children started for America about 1850. The mother and the youngest child, who was three years old, never reached their destination, having died en route and were buried at sea. On the same vessel a brother of our subject's father brought his wife and three children to the new world. They were eleven weeks and three days crossing the Atlantic and landed in New York. Although they had intended to make their home in Pennsylvania, through the influence of a Swedish minister who had a brother in Knox county, Illinois, they were persuaded to continue their journey westward. They traveled as far as Andover township, Henry county, where their possessions were unloaded, for the father's financial resources were exhausted and he was compelled to seek immediate employment, which he secured by renting a farm. In the family were the following children. Andrew, the eldest son, remained in Sweden and his descendants are now living in that country, Margaret married William Stolt, by whom she has seven children, their home being at Odebolt, Iowa. Jonas resides in Lynn township, Henry county, Illinois, and has four children. Eric is the next in order of birth. Peter lives in Orion, Illinois. Hans became a soldier of the Civil war, during which time his health became impaired and he died near Woodhull, leaving three children. The father married a second time and before his death had become the owner of eighty acres. He passed away about 1867 or 1868 and his remains were interred in Andover cemetery.

Eric Westerlund of this review, having been born and reared on his father's farm in Swedfen, received the advantages of a common school education in his native land, continuing his studies there until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States. Later, however, he had the privilege of attending school in Henry county for two winter terms. Having been reared to the occupation of farming, he worked out for one year, after which his services were required on the home farm. Thus he remained in his father's employ, his persevering efforts proving effectual in the further cultivation and development of the property, until he became of age.

On the 7th of February, 1858, occurred the marriage of Mr. Westerlund and Miss Christine Anderson, of Andover township, a daughter of Jonas and Christine (Anderson) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Mrs. Westerlund was born on a farm near Hille Socken, Obygeby, Sweden, January 30, 1843, and when she was about six years of age came with her father and mother to the United States, they having been induced to take up their above in Andover township, this county, on their arrival in New York, She was the third in a family that numbered five children. Andrew, her eldest brother, was taken ill with cholera and was left in a hospital in Chicago, where he died. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Anderson journeyed overland to California, where he met with fair success, but in the following year he returned by the ocean route to Illinois, having decided in favor of the Prairie state.

In 1863 Mr. Westerlund bought eighty acres of his present farm, paying ten dollars an acre for land that is now worth two hundred. Unto him and his wife have been born six children, namely: Sarah E., the wife of A. E. Anderson, of Andover township, Henry county, by whom she has thirteen children; Emma C, who became the wife of Charles Peterson and died leaving six children; Sophia Josephine, who wedded Ferdinand Lonner, living near Shields, Kansas, their family now numbering eight children; John O., residing at Elliott, Iowa, who is married and has five children; Annie M., now Mrs. Haggland, who resides at Essex, Iowa, and in whose family are five children; and Julius N., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Westerlund has been a republican in politics since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was elected on the republican ticket and served as road commissioner for a number of years. However, he is not a politician in the sense of office seeking, having refused to run for supervisor on the democratic ticket, though urged to do so by his fellow citizens. A school director for many years, his cooperation and substantial aid can always be counted upon to further any movement for the benefit of public school instruction and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. Aside from his farms in this county, his landed interests also include property in North Dakota and Colorado, and he is numbered among the prominent and successful agriculturists, whose labors have not only contributed to their individual prosperity but have also been active factors in the development of the state. Mr. Westerlund is accounted one of the esteemed and honored pioneer settlers of Henry county. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.