Dad's Story Part 2

My Parentage

My father Francis Eric Ericksen, second son of Erick Henry Ericksen and Annie Christina Monson, was born December 31, 1893 in Mt Pleasant, Utah. He was 5’11 1/2” tall, and weighed about two hundred pounds. He had straight, fine brown hair, which he began to lose after about age 35. He had grey eyes. He was a very brilliant student, especially good in mathematics. He, like all the rest of the family, was very musically inclined. He played the cornet (trumpet) and had a strong tenor voice. Dad was a fun-loving man, had a hearty laugh and liked to tell jokes. He enjoyed playing games, especially card games like bridge and pinochle. Fishing was probably his favorite hobby. He loved the out of doors and camping. He was a very neat and orderly man always keeping his clothes well cleaned and pressed. He had a “place for everything, and everything was in it’s place”. He was quick tempered and impatient.

My mother, Virginia May Gilbert, was the second daughter of James Alexander Gilbert and Hannah Elizabeth Wallis – nicknamed “Maude”. She was born in Salt Lake City, March 17, 1894, but her mother was born and reared in Mt. Pleasant and that was where she called home. She was beautiful, fine featured, small built, very lady-like, dainty, soft spoken, slightly round shouldered. She had dark hair with a slight auburn hue to it. Her eyes were dark blue with droopy lids. Mother was well coordinated and had good manual dexterity. She did beautiful crocheting, knitting, embroidering, was an excellent housekeeper and cook, and loved to garden. She and Dad had prize-winning roses and other flowers. Mother was also very musical. She played the piano and had a good alto voice. She and her sister Kate sang duets when they were teenagers.

Mother was 5’2” tall and her average weight was about one hundred ten pounds. She loved sports, and like to camp. She was very relaxed and deliberate, didn’t hurry with anything.