Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-08
FORMER PROMINENT LEGISLATOR
AND FlNANclER PASSES
:. AWAY At BOONE.
SAW LONG SERVICE AS
MEMBER OF STATE SENATE
Widely Known Among scandinavians
and Contributor ia Philanthropies Of
Homo city-Contributed Literally to
Edueation-Rseentiy Returned From
Trip Around World.

Boone Aug. S.-Charles John Alfred
Ericsson, former member Of the state
legislature and donor Of the Ericsson
library and president Of the City Bank,
died at his home here Sunday morn
ing at 11:10 Of gangrenous appendi-
citis. He was 20 years old.
The philanthropist returned Saturday
evening, July 81, from tour Of the
world ana at that time declared that
ohe was In the best of health.
On Monday he was taken i'll with ap-
pendicitis and an operation was per-
formed Wednesday in hopes OF saving
his life. His daughter. Miss Lorena
Ericsson, arrived from st. Louis saua~
forum at noon Thursday and was at
her fathers bedside when he died.
The funeral services will be held at
10 O'Clock Thursday morning with the
senator's old pastor, Rev. o. H. I.
Mason. officiating. Rev. Mr.. Mason
comes htther from Long Beach, CAL,
to take charge Of the services. Until
recently he was pastor Of the First
Presbyterian church here, Of which
Senator Ericsson was member. The
interment will be In East Linwood
cemetery here.
For almost a third Of century
Charles j. A. Ericsson had been resi-
dent OF Boone, and his life work had,
contributed to the commercial ana po-
litical history Of the state. Altho he
began his business career without cap
ital. at his death he was president and
one OF the leading stockholders of the
City Bank Of Boone. His political
servtca covers eight sessions Of the
state Legislature, ii seven of which he
served as senator and in one. his first
session, a. representative.
A Native Of Sweden.
Mr.. Ericsson was bo1h in the province
March, 1870. His father, Eric Nelson.
was q. farmer by occupation and with
his family came to America in 1888,
settling near Moline, MI. The father
was engaged in fapning and fishing,
both OF which he had followed as occu-
pations In Sweden, until the year 1882,
when he removed to Webster county,
Iowa.
In the spring of 1859 Mr.. Ericsson ar
rived in Boone county, locating at Min
eral Ridge. where he opened a little
store. He also engaged in buying and
setting cattle and other Livestock and
in both branches Of his business met
with. creditable success. In 1870 he
purchased the general store OF jack
son Orr, in Boone. and for Ave years he
carried on general merchandise bus
iness In 1872 he assiste6 n the orgahy
izatlon OF the First National Bank Of
Boonen and was elected its vice presi-
dent. In 1875 he closed out his mer-
camille interests and became cashier OF
the First National Bank, which sur
rendered " charter and was reorgaf-
ized as the City Bank in 1875. Mr.. Err
icson md been president Of this bank.
which Increased its original capital
stock Of $4,000 to 100000 for the last
few years.
In 1871 he was elected member d
the Fourteenth general assembly OF
Iowa on the republican ticket, his op-
ponent being Judge M, =. Ramsay.
Twenty-four years later he consented
to become the candidate for state sem
ator, and was elected in 1895.
Long in the ssntae.
He was q senator in the Twenty
sixth extra sessions. the Twentys-sev-
enth, Thirtieth, Thirty-hrst, and the
ThirtY-second sessions.
While in tie senate he introduced
bill, and was largely instrumental IN
it's passage, whereby corporations are
taxed. He also secured the passage OF
a bill for the reduction OF the interest
on state warrants from to 5 per cent.
Mr.. Ericsson has an attractive home
estate, Including 1000 acres Of land in
Hancock county.
In 1863 Mr.. Ericsson became a Mason
and held a membership In Mount Olive
lodge, No. 70, A. F. and A. NJ. He was
also a member OF Tuscan chapter. r.
A. NJ, and Caubuf comrhapdary. No. 10,
X. r. At cost of 3io.7oo he built a
handeome library building in this city,
which ds known - the Ericsson Mem
crial Library. In 1901 he was requested
by the board Of directors OF the state
historical society Of !Des Motnes, thru
the late Hon. Charles Aldrich, curator.
to furnish a marble bust OF himself, to
be placed in the Iowa hall Of fame. A
fine Co11ra marble bust. made by q
noted artist in Florence, italy, has been
placed as desired in the Iowa hall.
His Philanthropy.
He has been a liberal contributor to
educational institutions. especially to
Augustana College of Rock Island, ILL.,.
a Swedish theological seminary, to
which school he gave $50 acres of val~
liable coal land, worth $4,000 for the
endowment Of a Swedish chair, and the
sum of $4,000. With this latter
amount a valuable tract OF land was
purchased, and Mr.. Ericsson agreed to
give half of the amount If the faculty
would raise the other half. This was
done, the land being purchased for
$4,000, apd it has been given the name
of Ericsson park. Id Ibis honor It was
on the scene of this park that part Of
his childhood was passed, he having
often gone hunting upon that tract in
.ear4y days
.uo-uen An-o onu,