Individual Details
Erick Andrew (Eric Andreas) Hawkinson
(18 Sep 1856 - 30 Sep 1921)
In 1888 Erick owned 80 acres in section 36, Fish Lake Township. By 1914, in addition to the original 80 acres in section 36, he also owned an additional 150 acres on Fish Lake in section 26.
North Branch Review, 22Apr1892, Stark Siftings.
Andrew E. Haukenson and Miss Ericson were married last Saturday.
North Branch Review, 25 Mar 1898, p1
E. A. Hawkinson, who lives on the shores of Fish Lake, was in the city Monday. During the past two weeks Mr. Hawkinson has had a struggle with sickness in his family. His wife just recovered from a severe spell and his little girl is now sick with lung fever, but a change for the better had taken place a few hours before he left home. All friends wish that the recovery of his loved ones ma be speedy.
North Branch Review, 29Nov1901, Small Talk.
The observer was glad to greet E. A. Hawkinson here last Saturday, because he always has something of interest to tell. The genial farmer is feeling tolerable comfortable at present as he has 4,000 bushels Triumphs stored for the February market. His price is fixed, and when he gets it the potatoes will belong to the other fellow. Mr. Hawkinson is paying considerable attention to stock farming, because he says, the farmer who does not know the value of stock
to a farm isn't making a success of his calling.
Assuming a yield of 200 to 250 bushels per acre as mentioned in various newspaper articles of the time, it’s likely that Erick Andrew had 15 to 20 acres of his land in potatoes. In 1888 Erick owned 80 acres in section 36, Fish Lake Township. By 1914, in addition to the original 80 acres in section 36, he also owned an additional 150 acres on Fish Lake in section 26.
The potato era in Chisago county lasted roughly from the 1880's to 1938. After raising potatoes for a few years, the potato beetle arrived. Picking off the bugs by hand or spraying with a paris green/water solution was satisfactory but slow work and had to be repeated every three or four days until the bug cycle was broken. In 1894, P.M. Hawkinson, brother of E.A., invented a horse drawn sprayer which sold for $85. This had a fifty gallon barrel with a pump that would spray four rows at a time. Two men walked behind directing two hoses each at the potato plants. This went fast but was expensive because it required so much paris green. If it was a windy day the men were also sprayed.
After the railroad came Harris became an important potato market center with seven potato buyers at one time. If there was a shortage of potatoes the price might go as high as $4 per hundred weight. If the market was glutted,
the price might be ten to fifteen cents.
Gradually the potato crop began to diminish and was a thing of the past by the late 1930's.
North Branch Review, 21 Oct 1909, p5, c1, North Branch Briefs
E. A. Hawkinson, of Fish Lake, was a visitor in town Monday.
North Branch Review, North Branch MN, 6Oct1921, p1.
FISH LAKE PIONEER ACCIDENTLY SHOT.
E.A. Hawkinson Shot Through Head by Accidental Discharge of Gun.
E.A. Hawkinson, better known as Andrew Hawkinson, was found in his room, Friday afternoon, with a bullet wound in his head from which he died forty-five minutes later. His wife heard the report of a gun and at first thought he was
shooting at something from the front porch, but at the same time thought she heard him call and rushing into the room she found him lying across the bed where he had fallen and saw the gun lying on the floor. A physician was called
immediately but nothing could be done for him and he died without regaining consciousness about forty-five minutes after the shot was fired.
Mr. Hawkinson was alone in the room at the time and many theories were naturally advanced as to how it happened, and there were those who were ready to start the rumor of suicide. His relatives, and neighbors most intimate with him, scorn the suicide theory and are convinced that it was purely accidental.
He was always happy and contented and there appeared to be no reason in the world why he should want to take his own life. He had made plans for extensive improvements on the farm and in the dairy barn particularly, and had often remarked to his family that they would fix things up so they could take care of the work more easily during the coming winter. He had also planned on a trip to Michigan to visit some Iron mines in which he was interested, a trip that
was to be taken in the company with others in the very near future. He had talked with neighbors that very day and all say that he was in his usual cheerful frame of mind. Mr. Hawkinson was noted for his awkwardness with a gun, a circumstance to which the accident is most likely due. He had recently borrowed the gun, a small rifle, from one of the neighbors to try to shoot something that was constantly digging up their lawn. He had just brought back to the neighbor a shot gun he had used for some time with which to shoot crows, and the neighbor suggested to him that he take the rifle, which was smaller and handier. Arriving home he had placed the gun in a corner by the dresser in his
bed room and the most plausible theory is that as he pulled it towards him the hammer caught and the gun was discharged.
His untimely death was a great shock to his family and the community in general. His daughter, Virginia [Victoria], a teacher in the schools at South St. Paul was coming home for a visit that day and was made aware of the awful happening as she got off the train at Harris. Miss Ella, who is teaching at Moorhead, was notified by telegram and hastened home at once.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon and was the largest seen in that community in years. Members of the Modern Woodman and Royal Neighbors were present to pay their respects according to the customs of the lodge. Interment was made in the Harris cemetery, Rev. Nordin of Fish Lake officiating.
Erick Andrew Hawkinson was born in Sundsyall, Sweden, Sept. 18, 1857. He came to this country July 4, 1862 [1868] and had been a resident of the Fish Lake community since his arrival to America. He was married to Miss
Hilda Erickson at Fish Lake, April 16, 1892. He was very prominent in his his community and was always regarded as a leader. He was a member in good standing in the M.W.A. lodge, had held township and school offices and last
year was a candidate for the office of representative in the state legislature on the Non-partisan ticket.
He is survied by his widow, and three daughters, Ella, Victoria and Gladys; one brother, P.M. Hawkinson, of Harris, and one sister, Mrs. S. P. Oleson of Fargo, N.D.
North Branch Review, 22Apr1892, Stark Siftings.
Andrew E. Haukenson and Miss Ericson were married last Saturday.
North Branch Review, 25 Mar 1898, p1
E. A. Hawkinson, who lives on the shores of Fish Lake, was in the city Monday. During the past two weeks Mr. Hawkinson has had a struggle with sickness in his family. His wife just recovered from a severe spell and his little girl is now sick with lung fever, but a change for the better had taken place a few hours before he left home. All friends wish that the recovery of his loved ones ma be speedy.
North Branch Review, 29Nov1901, Small Talk.
The observer was glad to greet E. A. Hawkinson here last Saturday, because he always has something of interest to tell. The genial farmer is feeling tolerable comfortable at present as he has 4,000 bushels Triumphs stored for the February market. His price is fixed, and when he gets it the potatoes will belong to the other fellow. Mr. Hawkinson is paying considerable attention to stock farming, because he says, the farmer who does not know the value of stock
to a farm isn't making a success of his calling.
Assuming a yield of 200 to 250 bushels per acre as mentioned in various newspaper articles of the time, it’s likely that Erick Andrew had 15 to 20 acres of his land in potatoes. In 1888 Erick owned 80 acres in section 36, Fish Lake Township. By 1914, in addition to the original 80 acres in section 36, he also owned an additional 150 acres on Fish Lake in section 26.
The potato era in Chisago county lasted roughly from the 1880's to 1938. After raising potatoes for a few years, the potato beetle arrived. Picking off the bugs by hand or spraying with a paris green/water solution was satisfactory but slow work and had to be repeated every three or four days until the bug cycle was broken. In 1894, P.M. Hawkinson, brother of E.A., invented a horse drawn sprayer which sold for $85. This had a fifty gallon barrel with a pump that would spray four rows at a time. Two men walked behind directing two hoses each at the potato plants. This went fast but was expensive because it required so much paris green. If it was a windy day the men were also sprayed.
After the railroad came Harris became an important potato market center with seven potato buyers at one time. If there was a shortage of potatoes the price might go as high as $4 per hundred weight. If the market was glutted,
the price might be ten to fifteen cents.
Gradually the potato crop began to diminish and was a thing of the past by the late 1930's.
North Branch Review, 21 Oct 1909, p5, c1, North Branch Briefs
E. A. Hawkinson, of Fish Lake, was a visitor in town Monday.
North Branch Review, North Branch MN, 6Oct1921, p1.
FISH LAKE PIONEER ACCIDENTLY SHOT.
E.A. Hawkinson Shot Through Head by Accidental Discharge of Gun.
E.A. Hawkinson, better known as Andrew Hawkinson, was found in his room, Friday afternoon, with a bullet wound in his head from which he died forty-five minutes later. His wife heard the report of a gun and at first thought he was
shooting at something from the front porch, but at the same time thought she heard him call and rushing into the room she found him lying across the bed where he had fallen and saw the gun lying on the floor. A physician was called
immediately but nothing could be done for him and he died without regaining consciousness about forty-five minutes after the shot was fired.
Mr. Hawkinson was alone in the room at the time and many theories were naturally advanced as to how it happened, and there were those who were ready to start the rumor of suicide. His relatives, and neighbors most intimate with him, scorn the suicide theory and are convinced that it was purely accidental.
He was always happy and contented and there appeared to be no reason in the world why he should want to take his own life. He had made plans for extensive improvements on the farm and in the dairy barn particularly, and had often remarked to his family that they would fix things up so they could take care of the work more easily during the coming winter. He had also planned on a trip to Michigan to visit some Iron mines in which he was interested, a trip that
was to be taken in the company with others in the very near future. He had talked with neighbors that very day and all say that he was in his usual cheerful frame of mind. Mr. Hawkinson was noted for his awkwardness with a gun, a circumstance to which the accident is most likely due. He had recently borrowed the gun, a small rifle, from one of the neighbors to try to shoot something that was constantly digging up their lawn. He had just brought back to the neighbor a shot gun he had used for some time with which to shoot crows, and the neighbor suggested to him that he take the rifle, which was smaller and handier. Arriving home he had placed the gun in a corner by the dresser in his
bed room and the most plausible theory is that as he pulled it towards him the hammer caught and the gun was discharged.
His untimely death was a great shock to his family and the community in general. His daughter, Virginia [Victoria], a teacher in the schools at South St. Paul was coming home for a visit that day and was made aware of the awful happening as she got off the train at Harris. Miss Ella, who is teaching at Moorhead, was notified by telegram and hastened home at once.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon and was the largest seen in that community in years. Members of the Modern Woodman and Royal Neighbors were present to pay their respects according to the customs of the lodge. Interment was made in the Harris cemetery, Rev. Nordin of Fish Lake officiating.
Erick Andrew Hawkinson was born in Sundsyall, Sweden, Sept. 18, 1857. He came to this country July 4, 1862 [1868] and had been a resident of the Fish Lake community since his arrival to America. He was married to Miss
Hilda Erickson at Fish Lake, April 16, 1892. He was very prominent in his his community and was always regarded as a leader. He was a member in good standing in the M.W.A. lodge, had held township and school offices and last
year was a candidate for the office of representative in the state legislature on the Non-partisan ticket.
He is survied by his widow, and three daughters, Ella, Victoria and Gladys; one brother, P.M. Hawkinson, of Harris, and one sister, Mrs. S. P. Oleson of Fargo, N.D.
Events
| Birth | 18 Sep 1856 | Ånge, Borgsjö, Västernorrland, Sweden |  | ||
| Christen | 20 Sep 1856 | Ånge, Borgsjö, Västernorrland, Sweden | | ||
| Marriage | 16 Apr 1892 | Fish Lake, Minnesota, Swedish Lutheran - Hilda Carolina Erickson | |||
| Death | 30 Sep 1921 | Fish Lake, Chisago, Minnesota | | ||
| Burial | 2 Oct 1921 | Harris, Chisago, Minnesota, Oak Grove Cemetery | | ||
| Alt name | Eric Andereas Andersson |
Families
| Spouse | Hilda Carolina Erickson (1863 - 1943) |
| Child | A. (Anna) Victoria Hawkinson (1893 - ) |
| Child | Ella Amelia Hawkinson (1894 - 1954) |
| Child | Gladys (Gladiolus) Maria Hawkinson (1897 - 1968) |
| Father | Andrew S. (Anders) Håkansson (1826 - ) |
| Mother | Anna Cajsa Andersdotter (1826 - 1915) |
| Sibling | Peter M. (Pehr Martin) Hawkinson (1858 - 1927) |
| Sibling | Anna Cathrina Hawkinson (1863 - 1926) |
| Sibling | Charles Oliver Hawkinson ( - 1918) |
Endnotes
1. Svenska kyrkan, Borgsjö socken,, Kyrkoböcker, Ånge, Borgsjö, Västernorrland, Sweden Genealogical Society of Utah, FHL #75876, Births,.
2. Svenska kyrkan, Borgsjö socken,, Kyrkoböcker, Ånge, Borgsjö, Västernorrland, Sweden Genealogical Society of Utah, FHL #75876, Births.
3. Death, Minnesota Death Certificate: 1921-MN-002193.
4. .