Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 30 Apr 1906, Grace Lutheran Church, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska
• Confirmation: 10 Apr 1921, Grace Lutheran Church, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska

Family/Spouse: Nicholas Erdahl. Nicholas was born on 30 Oct 1905; died on 25 Nov 1970 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona; was buried on 28 Nov 1970 in Tucson Memorial Park, South Lawn, Tucson, Arizona. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 10 Aug 1873, Grace Lutheran Church, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska
• Confirmation: 21 Apr 1889, Grace Lutheran Church, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska

Notes:

Augustinus was born on his father's farm near Swedeburg. He was brought up on the farm and then moved with his family to the living quarters above his father's store in Swedeburg. For a time, Augustinus worked in his father's store. His first wife, Hilda Bengtson, died from childbirth complications, three days after their daughter Hilda was born. The baby lived with Augustinus' parents until Augustinus remarried, his second wife being Hilda's sister Hermanda. Hermanda and her siblings were born on their parents' farm. After that marriage, Augustinus, Hermanda and Hilda lived on Augustinus' father's homestead farm where their son Linus was born. Augustinus farmed during this period.

In 1910, Augustinus' sister Theolina and her husband became missionaries and moved to China. Theolina had been managing the Swedeburg store. Augustinus agreed to stop farming and to manage the store. He, Hermanda, Hilda and Linus moved to a small house in Swedeburg.

Upon the death of his father in 1912, Augustinus inherited the 200 acre farm, part of which was the original homestead 80 acres. Although the deed listed a transaction price of $50 an acre, presumably there was no financial obligation incurred with the inheritance. The store in Swedeburg was sold and Augustinus, Hermanda, and the children moved back to the farm. Augustinus rented out the land as he had no great interest in either farming or money. In 1917, Hermanda inherited $5,500 from her father. Augustinus tore down the old farm house in which they were living and built a new house, paying for the material with Hermanda's inheritance. He did most of the work himself.

In 1919, Augustinus and a couple of minister friends went on a driving trip for several months, going west and visiting among other places Yellowstone Park. At another time, he made living space available in the cellar of the house for an old man, who was homeless and liked to tinker. The man was also not very well. The situation became too much for Hermanda and she made it clear that the old man was no longer welcome in their home.

Augustinus was talented with his mind and hands, designing and making equipment for the farm. An intellectual, he liked to read especially philosophy, and would often read until 4 a.m. and sleep until noon. He was not shy about expressing himself and could discuss a variety of issues. He was considered impractical by some.

Augustinus and Hermanda moved to a house in Ceresco in Oct 1936, where they lived through their retirement years.

LINCOLN JOURNAL - NOVEMBER 6, 1946

DEATHS

ERICKSON - Augustine, age 73, died Sunday evening. Funeral services Wednesday, 2. p.m. at Lutheran Church, Ceresco. Rev. A. H. Peterson officiating. Burial at Swedeburg. Nelson

WAHOO DEMOCRAT - NOVEMBER 7, 1946

AUGUSTINE ERICKSON DIES IN LINCOLN

Augustine Erickson, aged 74, passed away Sunday evening in the Lincoln General Hospital in Lincoln after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Hermanda, three sons, Linus, Joseph and Lloyd all of Ceresco; three daughters, Mrs. Hilma Erl of Tucson, Ariz., Mrs. Bernice Mostrom of Bartlesville, Okla., and Mrs. Nellie Ann Erickson at home; one brother, Herman and one sister, Miss Agatha Erickson, both of Wahoo.

Augustinus married Hilda Bengtson on 17 Jun 1905 in Grace Lutheran Church, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska. Hilda (daughter of Nels (Nils) Bengtson and Nilla (Nellie) Bengtssdotter) was born on 28 Sep 1881 in Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska; died on 30 Apr 1906 in Saunders County, Nebraska; was buried on 2 May 1906 in Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 28 Sep 1881, Grace Lutheran Church, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska
• Confirmation: 3 May 1896, Grace Lutheran Church, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska

Notes:

WAHOO WASP - FEBRUARY 15, 1917

Nels Bengtson was born March 7, 1840 in Sk

Nels married Nilla (Nellie) Bengtssdotter on 26 May 1871 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. Nilla was born on 29 Jan 1842 in Hissmasa, Sweden; was christened in 1871; died on 16 Jan 1925 in Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska; was buried in Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Swedeburg, Saunders County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: 1871

Notes:

Records also list Nella as Vernilla and Pernilla. She was born in the small town of Svenstra V

Notes:

LANCASTER COUNTY NEBRASKA MARRIAGE RECORDS 1866-1876

V1, PG 160

Bengtson-Bengtsdotter

M. at Lincoln, Nebr., May 26, 1871 by S. C. Larson, Pastor of Lutheran Church. Nils Bengtson, of Saunders Co., Nebr., age 30, born in Sweden, son of Bengt Nilson and Bothilda Ericsdotter. Nilla Bengtsdotter of Lan. Co., Nebr., age 29, born in Sweden, dau. of Bengt Anderson and Johanna Petrosdotter. Witss: Nils Truelson of Saunders Co., Nebr., and Betty Dedrich of Lan. Co., Nebr.