Untitled Document

Eric Gabrielson

Eric Gabrielson, banker, at Orion, and one of the leading and prominent business men of Northwestern Illinois , was born in Sweden , Feb. 18, 1849 . His father, Charles Gabrielson, was a farmer in Sweden , where he married Mary Bengson, also a native of that country. The family consisted of four children, besides the parents, when they came to America . They soon made their way to Andover , this county, where, in 1854, they located. The mother died at her home in that township, that same year, being taken away with many others by that terrible epidemic, the cholera, which raged so here at that time. The father subsequently married Catherina Johnson, and now resides in retirement from the scenes of active life in Andover .

Erick was the youngest but one of a family of six children. He was reared and educated in the public schools of this county, living under the parental roof until he was 24 years of age. During the latter years of this period he was engaged in farming and stock shipping, and dealing in real estate in Andover . His business qualifications, which are of the highest order, are largely the gift of nature, but his early training had the tendency to develop and cultivate them. After his marriage, he moved to Orion, where he had established a grocery store in May, 874. In the same month of the year, 1882, he sold his business to the Orion Mercantile Co., which was organized with a capital stock of $20,000. He took in exchange for his business one-half interest of the entire stock of the concern, which he still retains. On the 5 th of December, 1870 , he established the Bank of Orion, with a limited stock. This has since been increased with a large amount of capital, which together with the skillful management of Mr. G., the bank is now on a safe financial footing. It is a strictly commercial bank, and does all legitimate banking business, and also takes real-estate loans from Eastern capitalists. The amount deposited with the bank is usually $50,000. Mr. G. has also 80 acres of land on section 21 of Western Township , and 10,000 acres in Nebraska and Colorado ; and he also deals largely in real estate. Besides, he is agent for the various foreign steamship lines. He is also Village Treasurer and has served as Trustee. Politically, he is thoroughly independent, taking a liberal view in all matters relating to politics as well as religion.

The subject of this personal sketch was married on the 5 th of August, 1874 , at the residence of his wife’s parents in Western Township , to Josephine, daughter of Gust. and Anna (Carlson) Huflund. Mrs. G.’s parents were farmers in Sweden , their native country, where they were married. After this event, they came to America and located in Rock Island , where, on the first of January, 1850 , Mrs. G. was born. Her parents now reside in Western Township , where they settled on a farm her father had purchased from the Government, when she was but a mere child. The record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. G. is given as follows: Estella, born Dec. 31, 1875 ; Almeda, Nov. 2, 1877 ; Charles E., Dec. 17, 1879 ; Esther, Nov. 10, 1882 ; and Mamie, Feb. 10, 1884 .

1885 Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry Co., Illinois page 518

Transcribed by Jan Roggy

Illinois Ancestors