E

Erickson

Alfred Erickson left his family in Sweden to work on the Alaskan railroad as a toolmaker. In 1915, his wife Esther and children, Ruth and Eric, joined him in Gig Harbor. Alfred worked at the Skansie Shipyard where he ran the blacksmith shop and did all of the iron work for the boats. His son eventually convinced him to go into business for himself. He made tools for fishermen and manufacturers, horseshoes and chains for homesteaders, and occasionally still worked for the Skansies. His shop was across the street from the family’s 10-acre homestead on Pioneer Avenue. On the farm, they kept a cow, some chickens and pigs. There was a large garden and many fruit trees. GHPHS

Eyrish

Carl Eyrish came to Rosedale from South Dakota in the late 1800s. He homesteaded 180 acres in north Rosedale where he farmed corn and other crops and raised cattle and sheep. He also logged and cleared land. He met and married Catharina. When Carl died, he was buried on the homestead. Charlie’s granddaughter, Joan Eyrish, still lives on the family farm. (source: Joan Eyrish) GHPHS