Erik Albert and Hadda Carolina Andersson Hanson (Parents of Elna Mae Hanson Sorenson)

Erik Albert and Hadda Carolina Hanson

(Parents of Elna Mae Hanson Sorenson)

Erik Albert Hanson

April 1, 1871, a son was born to Hans and Anna Stina Anderson. They named him Erik Albert Hanson. He was born in Gustafs Sweden where an older sister Greta Lisa, and two older brothers Hans August and Johan Arvid, waited for his arrival. There were three other sisters but they died as infants, namely; Anna Stina, Anna Mathilda, and Hilda Sofia. Albert grew to be a fine young man. He worked hard and knew what he wanted out of life.

Hadda Carolina Anderson Hanson

August 5, 1871 was the day Hadda Carolina was welcomed into the home of Anders Gustaf and Hedda Christina Anderson. How excited they must have been to have their first child. Later, Hadda was joined by a brother Erick Gustaf and three sisters; Anna Matilda, Selma Kristina, and Anna Sophia.

The Anders Anderson family embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Hadda's brother Erick borrowed money and came to America. He worked hard and saved enough money in three years to send for two of his sisters, Hadda and Selma. They joined him in Ogden Utah in June of 1893. They started work immediately so that they could send the money home to help their Mother, Father and sister, Anna, come to America. Selma worked in the home of Bishop Taylor and Hadda worked for Lofdahls, who was a councilor to Bishop Taylor. It was very hard at first for they did not speak any English. In the home Hadda lived in they spoke Swedish, which she was very thankful for.

Gustaf rented a farm at West Weber and it was here that their mother, father and sister Anna came in 1894. They all lived together there for two years before moving to Central Idaho. At this time Hadda received her patriarchal blessing. Anders and Gustaf went to Idaho and homesteaded in Central Idaho. In 1896 the rest of the family joined them.

We are not certain the date Erik Albert Hanson came from Sweden to America. He traveled by train to Ogden and was robbed along the way. We can only suppose that in Sweden Hadda and Albert had been in love and he followed her to Ogden for on January 8, 1897 they were married in Pocatello Idaho. They lived in Ogden where Albert worked. Later they moved to Central.

They made their home close by her parents. It was a trying time for them. Water had to be hauled for many miles. In winter-time they melted - snow for water. In the summer they would only cultivate and plant small acreage as implements and horses were scarce. The grain when ripe, was cut by hand with a scythe. Every year the crops would freeze but everyone struggled on.

Four children were born to Albert and Hadda. Two sons; Emery Albert and Lawrence LeRoy, and two daughters; Alda Linnea and Elna Mae. They taught their children to work hard and to do their best. Mae loved to be outside with her brothers and father. Her brothers would help her harness the horses and she would milk her very own cow Miamae. Alda helped her Mother doing the domestic chores.

They tilled the fields with a horse and plow and Mae remembers how special she felt when her father would let her walk behind him as he tilled the ground and she would drop potato seeds into the freshly turned dirt.

Alda, Mae, Hadda, Erik Albert, Emery, LeRoy
The Erik Hanson Family

Albert was a hard worker and although he never embraced the gospel himself, he made sure that the children went with their Mother every Sunday. He was a quiet man, one of few words and it is said that the children never heard him say a cross word or raise his voice at them or their Mother. Once Mae sassed back to her mother and Albert got after her. He loved Hadda and expected the children to love and respect her. Hadda was a wonderful cook. She was a kind, loving woman who worked very hard. She took great care of her children and her parents. Living close by her family was a blessing to her for she could help them when they need her. After her Mother died, Hadda watched out for her father. She would take him meals and clean his home. Albert would get wood for him so he would have a good supply for winter. They were very good to her parents.

Family they visited during their visit to Sweden

One summer Albert and Hadda went back to Sweden. It was a wonderful time for them to see their family. In Central, the family got together often to celebrate birthdays or holidays. It was a time they all looked forward to. Getting together was fun, but the food was even more enjoyable. Nothing tasted better than Grandma's chicken. Albert worked hard as a farmer and he built many buildings and their home. He was always busy, never idle and he taught his children to do the same.

It was fun for the grandchildren to hear their Grandpa and Grandma speak. They would sometime talk to them in Swedish and when they spoke English they still had a Swedish accent. 

Hadda passed away 24 June 1942 at the age of 71. She lived a good life, loving and serving her family and friends. She would always put the needs of others before her own.

Albert lived alone for the next 10 years. He enjoyed visiting his family and helping where he could. He came and stayed with Russell and Mae for a while and helped them build barns and sheds. He wanted to be helpful and work as much as he was able. When the family would get together he really enjoyed sitting back and watching each of his grandchildren. He was a man of few words, yet you could feel the love he had for you through his gentle eyes. In his later years he was in a lot of pain, yet he never complained.

On June 12, 1952 Erik Albert Hanson passed away and was buried next to his beloved wife in the Central Cemetery.

Ogden, Utah June 2, 1895

A blessing given by O.N. Liljenquist, Patriarch to Hadda Carolina Anderson, daughter of Anders Gustaf Anderson and Hadda Christina Romlin

Born August 5, 1871 in Solsvabo (Solfvabo), Gustafs in Dalarna, Sweden

Sister Hadda, in the name of our Lord, Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Priesthood, I seal upon you a Father's and a Patriarch's blessing with all the blessings, hopes, and promises that are given to Abraham's chosen and faithful daughters in the fullness of times. That you may be protected from evil, clean and innocent before the Lord and wash your garments white in the blood of the Lamb, be full of faith, hope, and charity, and drink salvation and peace for your soul from life's fountain. Be a joy and comfort to your parents, a leader among your sisters- and the youth of Zion, be a beloved wife and blessed mother. Converse with the Angeles of the Lord that they may be guests in your house. Protect you from pestilence and death, give you visions and dreams, whisper in your ear warnings or peace, and prepare you for the great day that is expected that you may meet the Lord in the clouds of Heaven. For if you will listen to the still small voice within you and keep yourself clean and unspotted and keep the commandments of the Lord, than you shall live to see the redemption of Zion and the building up of the new

Jerusalem as well as the gathering of Israel, and the fall of many nations and the coming of the Son of man and the joy of the Saints on this earth, strive therefore a little while. The Lord expects this of you, and His angels rejoice over you. You are of the blood of Ephraim and conviction (faith) belongs to you. Through obedience and faithfulness, you shall obtain the inheritance and with a worthy companion, you shall enjoy the blessings of the Holy Priesthood, have crowns, thrones, and kingdoms, and stand at the head of a numerous family of descendants, enjoy the riches of Heaven and earth, stand as a savior to your ancestors, and have part in the first resurrection and the millennium's joy, adorned with life's beautiful crown. All these blessings I seal upon you by the authority of my calling through your faithfulness and seal you to eternal life in Jesus' name, Amen.