Life of Ethel Roberts Erickson (1887 - 1959)

1. Life of Ethel Roberts Erickson
by Ethel Erickson
I was born in Beaver, Utah 6 Sept. 1887.
Beaver was just 31 years old. I was born in the
days of the Indians in Beaver. I remember
how frightened we were of them. There were
Indians in Beaver, one who was blind and Old
Mary Wquaw, also old Coyote who was
abolished from his tribe for killing his squaw.
When I was a small child these Indians came
to our place quite often and Mother always
gave them something to eat and flour and
other food to take with them.
I remember Grandma Roberts, my Father’s
Mother, telling us about how mean the
Indians were when they first came to Beaver.
They came in 1863 and made their home here
the rest of their lives. Lots of times Grandpa
Roberts had to get up in the night and go help
guard the Indians so they wouldn’t come into
town and bother the people.
I remember when there was no street on the
east side of our place.
This place was my Grandfathers home and the old log house that stands here today is the
house that they built, one of the first places built in Beaver.
I also remember the field gates that were across the road that now goes to Milford. They
were big high gates. My Grandfather was the gate keeper and when any one went through
they had to get him to open the gates for them. Everyone kept their cattle inside these
gates. It was a community field.
The first school I went to was the Rock school house the Ernest Muir lives in today. I also
went to the Central school house located where the tennis court is today. I remember how
the old bell would ring to tell us it was 8:30 O’clock and again at 9 O’clock. They also used
the bell for curfew bell to ring at 9 O’clock at night to get us off the streets. Later I went to
school at the Park building where I finished the 8th
grade.

2. When I was 18 years of age I was married to Larkin Andrew Erickson, and lived in
Milford. for two years.
When I was twenty two years of age my mother died and left three small children. I came
home to Beaver to help take care of them along with my own. Nine months after mother
died, my younger sister Loe died. She was fifteen years of age.
I have raised seven children of my own five boys and two girls. On February 1 1944 my
father died. On January 23 1945 my youngest child Joe was drowned while he was in the
service. His remains were brought to Beaver for burial in October 1947.
I think Beaver has had many opportunities that have slipped by. We had the Beaver
Woolen Mills here where they made blankets and flannel cloth. They had the tannery here
where they tanned hides for leather. We also had the Murdock Academy here where a lot
of people came to college. It seems to me the people of Beaver need to work together. If it
wasn't for the creameries, what would happen to us?
I have lived a very happy life here in Beaver and would like to see something made of it.
I had my temple work done and most of my own family. St George Temple 15 April 1950.
Lark and Loe were sealed to us in the Salt Lake Temple 21 February 1951 I hope I will
have my health to do the rest of it in the near future.
Copied from a note book in
possession of Beatrice E Spendlove
Written by Grandma Erickson herself
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. 1959 - Ethel Roberts Erickson Children & Spouses

4. Part of Obit- Full Obit show below

7. 1959
FIND A GRAVE
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=104560
Ethel Roberts Erickson
Burial: Mountain View Cemetery , Beaver, Beaver Co., Utah, USA
Plot: B_B21_2
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=104559
Larkin Andrew Erickson
Burial: Mountain View Cemetery , Beaver, Beaver Co., Utah, USA
Plot: B_B21_1