Erickson Cemetery
Chiricahua National Monument, AZ
Located on Hwy 181 just inside
the Chiricahua National Monument.
Submitted & © by:Diane Loy
The Ericksons: Pioneer Settlers
Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson
married in 1887 and established a homestead not
far from here. Known as Faraway Ranch, it was
one of the first permanent settlements in this area.
The ranch is located about one mile east of here along the park road.
The Ericksons' first child, Lillian, was born at Fort Bowie.
Two more children, Ben and Hildegarde were born
at the ranch house nearby. All except Lillian
are buried here in the Erickson family cemetery.
Family members eventually left to pursue careers elsewhere,
but Lillian Erickson remained to become the
"Lady Boss of Faraway Ranch."
In 1923 she married Ed Riggs, and together they operated
a guest ranch where visitors could enjoy
the beauty of the "wonderland of rocks".
The interest they generated in the area led to
the establishment of Chiricahua National Monument in 1924.
The Erickson family on a picnic here in Bonita Canyon in the late 1800s.
From left to right: Hildegarde, Emma, Neil, and Ben.
Not shown is Lillian Erickson Riggs who is bured
in the Riggs family cemetery a few miles west of here.
Submitted & © by:Diane Loy
Sacred To The Memory Of These Pioneers
They came when only the brave dared come.
They stayed where only the valiant could stay.
Born in Sweden.
Americans by choice - not by accident of birth.
They loved their adopted country and served her well.
Neil
Served five years in the Army during
the Indian Wars and then twenty five years as an
officer in the United States Forest Service.
Emma Sophia
As wife, mother, friend,
God's spirit was imbued within her.
Perils of Indian warfare, incessant toil
and loneliness of a pioneer land.
Nothing daunted her, this valiant lady, our Mother.
They carved a home from the wilderness
With the warp of labor and the woof of dreams
They wove a pattern of life as beautiful as the
Sunsets and as enduring as the mountains
They loved so well.
L.E.R.
Submitted & © by:Diane Loy
LAST NAME FIRST NAME BIRTH DEATH NOTES
ERICKSON
Emma Sophia
05/24/1854 12/12/1950 See photo
ERICKSON
Louis Benton
1891 1978 CPL US Army
WWI
See photo
ERICKSON
Neil
1859 1937 See photo
HUTCHISON
Hildegard (Erickson)
04/22/1895 07/22/1978 Youngest child of Neil and Emma Erickson
Born at Faraway Ranch-daughter of pioneers
and child of the Chiricahua Mountains, her
Smile and her spirit have returned forever
to the land she loved.
See photo
PRUE
Louis
no date 12/16/1892 Aged 49y & 6m
See photo
This page was updated: Saturday, 27-Jun-2009 21:37:02 CDT
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the Chiricahua National Monument.
The Ericksons: Pioneer Settlers
Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson
married in 1887 and established a homestead not
far from here. Known as Faraway Ranch, it was
one of the first permanent settlements in this area.
The ranch is located about one mile east of here along the park road.
The Ericksons' first child, Lillian, was born at Fort Bowie.
Two more children, Ben and Hildegarde were born
at the ranch house nearby. All except Lillian
are buried here in the Erickson family cemetery.
Family members eventually left to pursue careers elsewhere,
but Lillian Erickson remained to become the
"Lady Boss of Faraway Ranch."
In 1923 she married Ed Riggs, and together they operated
a guest ranch where visitors could enjoy
the beauty of the "wonderland of rocks".
The interest they generated in the area led to
the establishment of Chiricahua National Monument in 1924.
The Erickson family on a picnic here in Bonita Canyon in the late 1800s.
From left to right: Hildegarde, Emma, Neil, and Ben.
Not shown is Lillian Erickson Riggs who is bured
in the Riggs family cemetery a few miles west of here.
Sacred To The Memory Of These Pioneers
They came when only the brave dared come.
They stayed where only the valiant could stay.
Born in Sweden.
Americans by choice - not by accident of birth.
They loved their adopted country and served her well.
Neil
Served five years in the Army during
the Indian Wars and then twenty five years as an
officer in the United States Forest Service.
Emma Sophia
As wife, mother, friend,
God's spirit was imbued within her.
Perils of Indian warfare, incessant toil
and loneliness of a pioneer land.
Nothing daunted her, this valiant lady, our Mother.
They carved a home from the wilderness
With the warp of labor and the woof of dreams
They wove a pattern of life as beautiful as the
Sunsets and as enduring as the mountains
They loved so well.
L.E.R.
| ERICKSON | Emma Sophia | See photo | ||
| ERICKSON |
Louis Benton | CPL US Army WWI See photo |
||
| ERICKSON | Neil | See photo | ||
| HUTCHISON | Hildegard (Erickson) | Youngest child of Neil and Emma Erickson Born at Faraway Ranch-daughter of pioneers and child of the Chiricahua Mountains, her Smile and her spirit have returned forever to the land she loved. See photo |
||
| PRUE | Louis | Aged 49y & 6m See photo |
in any way without consent.
The copyright (s) on this page must appear on all
copied and/or printed material.