Erick Sundin / Erick Olsson (1889-1951)
Erick Olsson was born 31 Aug 1889 in Boda, Kopparberg (Dalarna), Sverige (Sweden), to parents Olof Hansson and Kerstin Hansdotter.
Birth Record for Erick Olsson. Image from ancestry.com.
Erick Sundin
Erick immigrated in 1909, traveling from Gothenburg to Grimsby / Hull aboard the Montebello, and from Liverpool to New York aboard the Mauretania.
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Passenger List dated 1 Sep 1909 for the "Montebello" departing Göteborg headed for Grimsby / Hull, England, showing Eric Olson [Olsson], age 20, on Ticket No. 88,006. Image from ancestry.com.
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Page 1 of the Passenger List dated 10 Sep 1909 for the "Mauretania" departing Liverpool, England, headed for the Port of New York, showing Erik Olsson, age 19, on Line 14. Image from ancestry.com.
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Page 2 of the Passenger List dated 10 Sep 1909 for the "Mauretania" departing Liverpool, England, headed for the Port of New York, showing Erik Olsson, age 19, on Line 14. Image from ancestry.com.
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Page 1 of the Declaration of Intention for Erick Sundin dated 17 Feb 1911. When I requested this record, this page was sent to me with a note that no other pages were present in the file. It will be interesting to see if other pages are present once these records are finished being imaged and posted online by ancestry.com.
Erick married Augusta Wilhelmina Anderson, daughter of Lars John and Alma (Sjoberg) Anderson, 27 Jul 1913 in Victoria, Ontonagon County, Michigan. They had four children:
-An infant daughter was born to them 5 Jan 1914 in Rockland, but did not survive, being a premature birth of about six months gestation. She is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ontonagon.
-Their son, George Clarence Sundin, was born 30 Mar 1915 in Victoria. He married Mary Louise McNeill, daughter of David and Sarah McNeill, 15 Nov 1941 in Glen Rogers, Wyoming County, West Virginia. George died 25 May 1983 in Park Forest, Cook County, Illinois, and is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, Franklin County, Illinois. Mary Louise died 29 May 1966 in Chicago Heights, and is buried beside him in Maple Hill.
-A daughter, Neva Theresa Sundin, was born 26 Jan 1917 in Victoria. she married William A. "Bill" Johnson, son of Andrew and Anna C. (Nelson) Johnson. Bill died 2 Feb 1965 in Maine, Cook County, Illinois, and is buried in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan. Neva died 2 Feb 2007; her burial location is unknown.
-An infant daughter was born to them 5 Jan 1914 in Rockland, but did not survive, being a premature birth of about six months gestation. She is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ontonagon.
-Their son, George Clarence Sundin, was born 30 Mar 1915 in Victoria. He married Mary Louise McNeill, daughter of David and Sarah McNeill, 15 Nov 1941 in Glen Rogers, Wyoming County, West Virginia. George died 25 May 1983 in Park Forest, Cook County, Illinois, and is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, Franklin County, Illinois. Mary Louise died 29 May 1966 in Chicago Heights, and is buried beside him in Maple Hill.
-A daughter, Neva Theresa Sundin, was born 26 Jan 1917 in Victoria. she married William A. "Bill" Johnson, son of Andrew and Anna C. (Nelson) Johnson. Bill died 2 Feb 1965 in Maine, Cook County, Illinois, and is buried in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan. Neva died 2 Feb 2007; her burial location is unknown.
-Another daughter, Virginia Mae Sundin, was born 3 Feb 1922 in Rockland Township, Ontonagon County, Michigan. She married Kenneth William Peterson, son of John William and Lillian Naomi (Pearson) Peterson, 12 Jul 1940 in Iron Mountain. Kenneth died 1 Aug 2001 in Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain, and is buried in Quinnesec Cemetery. Virginia Mae died 15 Oct 2011 in Kingsford, Dickinson County, Michigan, and is buried beside Kenneth in Quinnesec Cemetery.
In 1928, Erick was held for the involuntary manslaughter of his wife Augusta, close friend Gerda "Yarda" (Anderson) Johnson, and her tiny daughter, Mildred Marie, after a horrible car wreck.
CORRECTION: Formerly attributed to The Ontonagon Herald, it has been brought to my attention by Thomas J. Hawley, that this newspaper was a weekly publication and was not published on July 5. Tom is the nephew of the gentleman identified as Fred [Ned] Hawley. My thanks for the correction and information.
Clipping from an Unidentified Newspaper
Thursday, July 5, 1928
Tragedy yesterday marred the Fourth of July outing of two families, one which lives here, when an automobile carrying four adults and seven children struck an abutment of the bridge over Little Cranberry Creek, and overturned them into the river, killing three of the occupants.
The dead were Mrs. Eric Sundin of Iron River, Mich, and Mrs. Andrew Johnson of Ontonagon, and the Johnson baby. The driver of the car, Eric Sundine [Sundin], is under arrest and may face a charge of manslaughter, it was stated today. It was alleged that he had been drinking, and liquor was later found at the scene of the accident.
The mishap occurred on the bridge over the Little Cranberry river, about one mile east of Green and five miles west of Ontonagon. The two families were returning from a picnic near the former place. There were two cars in the party.
The Sundine [Sundin] car had stopped at Green for gasoline and was traveling at a fast speed to overtake the other. It struck the abutment on the right side of the bridge. The rear wheel climbed over the abutment and the machine was forced over to the left side of the road and overturned, throwing the occupants into the river. They were taken from the water by Fred [Ned] Hawley of Ontonagon, and by the driver of a car following the Sundine [Sundin] machine. All of the injured and dead were brought to Ontonagon.
Mr. Sundine [Sundin], Mr. Johnson and the children were the other occupants of the car. All were cut, and injured, the Johnson children severely, but it is expected they will recover.
The Sundin family formerly lived in Ontonagon, moving recently to Iron River.
The injured included Anders "Andrew" and Gerda "Yarda" Johnson's children, Marion Edith, age 7 years, Margaret Evelyn, age 5 years, and Walter, age 4 years. The baby was their youngest, Mildred Marie Johnson, born 25 Sep 1927 in Ontonagon. Also in the car were Erick and Augusta's children, Neva, age 11, and Virginia, age 6. It is unknown who the other child was.
The Associated Press picked up the story and in today's terms, it went "viral". Many of the stories had facts changed somewhat, such as identifying the baby as belonging to Mrs. Sundin. The bridge was also described as "crooked" although I believe they were referring to the approach to the bridge.
The Associated Press picked up the story and in today's terms, it went "viral". Many of the stories had facts changed somewhat, such as identifying the baby as belonging to Mrs. Sundin. The bridge was also described as "crooked" although I believe they were referring to the approach to the bridge.
Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida |
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas |
Morning Star, Rockford, Illinois
Friday, July 6, 1928
Deaths total 21 in Wisconsin During Fourth
Many Lose Lives While in Lakes and Rivers for Holiday
Fourth of July fatalities in Wisconsin and upper Michigan mounted to at least 21 today, although only one death was reported from fireworks. Scores of person are injured, several probably fatally.
At Ontonagon, Mich., three persons are dead, two others probably fatally injured and three children injured slightly as the result of an automobile accident, when the car they were riding in smashed into a concrete abutement [sic] on a bridge.
The dead:
Mrs. Andrew Johnson, 33 years old; Mrs. Eric Sundin, 34 years old, and Mrs. Sundin's baby, all of Ontonagon, Mich., killed when a car driven by Eric Sundin hit a concrete abutement [sic].
Newspaper clipping from the Ironwood Daily Globe 6 Jul 1928. Image from newspapers.com.
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Ironwood Daily Globe, Ironwood, Michigan |
Many thanks to Thomas J. Hawley, nephew of Ned Hawley (mentioned in the story), for providing this article:
The Ontonagon (Michigan) Herald
Saturday, July 7, 1928
Three Killed In Auto Wreck July Fourth
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Eleven in Large Car. Two Mothers and One Child Instantly Killed
Driver Fails To Make Turn At Crooked Bridge.
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Mrs. Andrew Johnson and Mrs. Erick Sundean [Sundin] and small child were instantly killed at about four o'clock Wednesday afternoon, July 4th, when the car in which they were riding overturned on the Little Cranberry river bridge and threw the occupants into the water.
The Johnson and Sundean [Sundin] families had been for a fourth of July ride and were returning to their homes in Ontonagon when the accident occurred. Driving at a rapid rate of speed Sundean [Sundin], who was at the wheel was unable to make a sharp curve leading out of the bridge. The rear end of the car slew against a cement abutment at the approach, breaking a large piece of cement therefrom and climbing up the side of the bridge so that the car was thrown completely over on it's side and all occupants thrown out and the car completely wrecked.
Two Women Killed.
Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Sundean [Sundin] and the Sundean [Johnson] baby were thrown into the water and were dead when recovered and it is believed that they were killed instantly.
Four of the seven children were brought to the Ontonagon Hospital where they were given attention, and it is doubtful if all of them will recover.
Johson was badly cut about the head and face and is in very nervous state.
Sundean [Sundin] was arrested for driving while drunk and placed in the county jail to await developments, and it is not at all unlikely that a charge of manslaughter will be brought gainst [sic] him.
Coroner's Inquest.
Dr. W. B. Hanna, coroner of Greenland was notified and he immediately went to the scene and empanneled [sic] a jury, consisting of Andrew Schramm, Peter Gilson, Jack Lockerby, William Cane, C. R. Turney and George Ross, who examined the several bodies and the scene of the accident and adjourned until ten o'clock Thursday morning at the sheriff's office.
Heroic Work of Ned Hawley.
Mr. and Mrs. Ned Hawley were the first ones to come along after the accident, in fact they were very close behind the wrecked car. Mr. Hawley seeing the people in the water immediately plunged in and one at a time brought the four to shore, but three of them were dead.
Death Certificate for Augusta Wilhelmina (Anderson) Sundin. Image from seekingmichigan.org.
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Death Certificate for Gerda "Yarda" (Anderson) Johnson. Image from seekingmichigan.org.
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Death Certificate for Mildred Marie Johnson. Image from seekingmichigan.org.
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Photo of the car driven by Erick Sundin 4 Jul 1928 when Augusta Sundin, Yarda Johnson, and Mildred Johnson lost their lives. The car looks to be a 1920 Chalmers 35C.
This photo was amongst the possessions of my grandmother, Agnes (Sundin) Dugan. I debated about whether including it here would be appropriate. For some, it may be just too sad, a reminder of the tragedy that occurred. For others, it may be a gruesome reminder of how quickly lives can change. For others still, it will satisfy a morbid curiosity.
The accident was caused by a momentary lapse in judgment and excessive speed. There is some debate about whether it was caused by drinking and driving. Regardless, it ended in tragedy for two families and the impact was felt throughout the United States as the news story spread like wildfire.
Jo
The accident was caused by a momentary lapse in judgment and excessive speed. There is some debate about whether it was caused by drinking and driving. Regardless, it ended in tragedy for two families and the impact was felt throughout the United States as the news story spread like wildfire.
Jo
Erick eventually remarried to Anna Marie "Bish" (Seifert) Bussiere, daughter of Ferdinand Nicholas and Augusta Ernestine (Moeller) Seifert, 31 Aug 1940 in Iron Mountain. Anna Marie had previously been married to Abraham Joseph Bussiere and had five children with him:
-Joseph Russell Bussiere, born 2 Nov 1910 in Houghton County, Michigan, married May Siewert 16 Sep 1944 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio, and died 20 Nov 1997 in Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio.
-Marion Jenine "Bessie" Bussiere, born 29 Dec 1912, and died 10 Apr 1922 in Ontonagon, Ontonagon County, Michigan.
-Lucille Marie Bussiere, born 13 Jan 1915 in Rockland, married Walter Emil Myhren 13 Oct 1934 in Iron Mountain, and died 9 Feb 1995 in Ontonagon.
-Donald Ernest Bussiere, born 1 Aug 1917 in Rockland, married Jeanne Jaqueline Stephens 30 Nov 1946 in Ontonagon, and died 6 Jul 1970 in Ontonagon.
-Douglas Howard Bussiere, born 2 Mar 1920 in Ontonagon, married Mary M. _____ 7 Sep 1943, and died 28 Dec 2001 in Ontonagon.
"Bish" was 50 years old when she married Erick and they had no children.
-Joseph Russell Bussiere, born 2 Nov 1910 in Houghton County, Michigan, married May Siewert 16 Sep 1944 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio, and died 20 Nov 1997 in Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio.
-Marion Jenine "Bessie" Bussiere, born 29 Dec 1912, and died 10 Apr 1922 in Ontonagon, Ontonagon County, Michigan.
-Lucille Marie Bussiere, born 13 Jan 1915 in Rockland, married Walter Emil Myhren 13 Oct 1934 in Iron Mountain, and died 9 Feb 1995 in Ontonagon.
-Donald Ernest Bussiere, born 1 Aug 1917 in Rockland, married Jeanne Jaqueline Stephens 30 Nov 1946 in Ontonagon, and died 6 Jul 1970 in Ontonagon.
-Douglas Howard Bussiere, born 2 Mar 1920 in Ontonagon, married Mary M. _____ 7 Sep 1943, and died 28 Dec 2001 in Ontonagon.
"Bish" was 50 years old when she married Erick and they had no children.
Erick Sundin
At some point, Eric lost a leg and ended up with an artificial limb. Family members remember it was due to being run over by a train in Victoria. On his WWI Draft Registration Card he completed in 1917, he stated that he lost his left foot. On his WWII Draft Registration Card he completed in 1942, he stated he had an artificial left leg.
Erick died 18 Jun 1951 in Kingsford, Dickinson County, Michigan, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ontonagon beside his first wife, Augusta.
"Bish" would later marry Erick's older brother, Ole, in 1953.
Erick died 18 Jun 1951 in Kingsford, Dickinson County, Michigan, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ontonagon beside his first wife, Augusta.
"Bish" would later marry Erick's older brother, Ole, in 1953.
WWI Draft Registraton Card for Erick Sundin - Front. Image from ancestry.com.
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WWI Draft Registration Card for Erick Sundin - Back. Image from ancestry.com.
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WWII Draft Registration Card for Erick Sundin - Front. Image from ancestry.com.
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WWII Draft Registration Card for Erick Sundin - Back. Image from ancestry.com.
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Grave marker for Erick Sundin in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ontonagon, Ontonagon County, Michigan. Image from findagrave.com, posted by wefoundyou #47194306.