Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1913-12-24
THE PASSING OF A
NOBLE PIONEER

"SSSe uSS0vSsUu
ERick e 5YsTRoM, OF VEGA,
DIED DEG. 1s, SURROUNDED BY
ALL HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS
LARGE FUNERAL HELD ON
SATURDAY
Erick E.. Bystrom, an honored pio-
neer OF town of Vega, passed away at
his homehis home on Thursday eve
ming, Dec. Is, 1913, aged II years. 8
months and "a days.
Mr.. Bystrom was born near Oster-
sund, Sweden, Aug. "a, 1s41. In the
spring of 1871, he was united in mar
riage to Agnes Nilsdotter, good and
noble woman who preceded her hus-
band to the better land about eleven
years ago. The family migrated to
America in the spring of 1882 coming
direct to Warren. Shortly after his
arrival, Mr.. Bystrom purchased $50
acres of railroad land in town of We
ga, on which to establish his home in
the new world, and here he contin-
ued to reside until called to his
heavenly home beyond the skies. Dur
ing the first years the family strug-
gfed with poverty and all the hard
ships incident to pioneer life. but by
industry, perseverance and unfailing
faith In God, obstacles were over
come, and splendid farm developed.
which in the course Of years was en-
larged by purchases of additional
tracts of land. While successful as
a farmer and in worldly affairs, Mr..
Bystrom did not neglect the higher
aud better things in life He and
his family united with the Swedish
Lutheran church in Warren shortly
after their arrival, remaining as ac-
tive members until the Emanuel Lu-
theran church was organized In
northern Vega in 1891, when they
joined that congregation, in which
Mr.. Bystrom held the office of deacon
continuously until about two years
ago, when failing health prevented
him from serving longer. Mr.. By
strom was man Of sterling charac-
ter and answering integrity, a man
whose word was as good as his bond.
He was a good, loving husband and
father, a good neighbor, useful citi-
zen and above all an earnest and sim
cere Christian, in whose heart there
was no guile
The year 1902 was one of severe
trial for deceased, as in that year, in
the month of February, his good wife
passed away in death, and In April,
son Magnus, a promising young man,
who served for time as assistant
postmaster in the Warren post office,
was taken away by the grim destroy.
er. About five years ago, Mr.. By
strom made a visit to his old home
and friends in the old country. Dur
ing the past year or two his health
has been failing and he himself
longed for the time when he would
be freed from the frailties Of the
flesh and called to join his Maker
and Redeemer on the heavenly shore.
Deceased is mourued by two daugh-
ters and five sons, all honored and
useful members of the communities
follows: Daughters-Betsy and EN-
ma, the former has been at the head
Of the domestic affairs of the house
hold since the mothers death, and
has served in the capacity with a
faithfulness and devotion that is
worthy Of all praise; the latter is a
teacher in the public schools Of the
county. Sons: Nels E., local man
ager of the st. Hilaire Retail Lumber
Co., at Warren; Otto, manager Of the
same company's yard at Stephen;
August, professor in science at Min
nesota college, Minneapolis; OlOf and
Oscar, both Intelligent and progress
sive young men who are staying at
home and running the farm. A SIS
ter of deceased, Mrs. Carrie Erickson,
of Argyle, and another sister, Mrs.
Britta Oscarson, in Sweden, are
among the immediate mourners.
Many other relatives and host of
friends also stand sorrowing at the
grave.
The funeral was held Saturday
from the Swedish Lutheran church in
Vega and was conducted by Revs. A.
Mattson of Alexandria,. Mimi, and F.
". Anderson Of this city. At the
time when his wife was buried, de-
ceased had expressed the wish. that
the pastor who ofhciated then should
also cOQS1Su Ills OOuy W L1S OuSt, duu
agreeab1y to promise that Rev.
Mattson had given deceased, he
came here to perform the last sad
but loving rites. After short SER
vice at the home, large funeral pro-
eession consisting Of more than thir-
ty teams besides a number of auto
mobiles, escorted the remains to the
church where an impressive funeral
service was held. Rev. A. Mattson
preached fine funeral discourse pay
ing fttting tribute to the memory of
deceased and Rev. Anderson follow
ed with sympathetic sermon. Both
brought out the fact that David's
23rd Psalm was favorite passage Of
scripture often read and quoted by
deceased in his life time. A profu-
sion of flowers bedecked the beauti-
full coffin and the large attendance at
the funeral, the largest seen in Vega,
attested the love and esteem enter
NJ