History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918

                           Mr. & Mrs. Julius Sorenson

                         Mr. & Mrs. M. Erickson Family

MELVIN ERICKSON, a member of the firm of Erickson Thorson, proprietors of a general store at Longwood, Clark County, was born in Winnebago County, Wis., May 1, 1883, son of Hans and Maria (Johnson) Erickson, natives of Norway. The father came to America at the age of 20 years. His wife came with her parents when quite young, and both the parents died on the ocean. She was adopted by an uncle. Hans Erickson was a farmer and followed that occupation for a number of years, but also spent twenty-five years as section foreman on the "Soo" Railroad, then known as the Wisconsin Central. Both he and his wife are now living. They had ten children-Helen, Edwin, Charles, Mattie, Jalmer, Adolph, Melvin, Elmer, Rudolph and Ella, the last mentioned being now deceased.

Melvin Erickson, after leaving school, remained at home until reaching the age of 17 years. He then worked on farms for awhile and afterwards spent three years on the "Soo" Line Railroad as section laborer. During the next seven years he spent the summers in farming and the winters at logging in the woods. After that he was employed as cook for a bridge crew on the railroad, coming to Longwood Feb. 15, 1913. Here he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Alvin Thorson, in the mercantile business. The conduct the only general store in Longwood, and have a every respect. The business is housed in a new building, finished on the outside with concrete, and having such improvements as electric lights from a private plant, a built-in icebox, a cement floor and basement and other conveniences. The company has a good trade, carries a good line of goods and is doing a constantly increasing business. Mr. Erickson is a prominent man and has been town clerk since 1915. He was married Feb. 12, 1913, to Amy Sorenson, who was born in Longwood Township, Feb. 1, 1894, daughter of Julius and Mary (Davidson) Sorenson, and they have one son, Emery, born May 9, 1914.