Annie Catherine /Erickson/ (1866-1972)

Life Story of Annie Cathrine Erickson

as written in a newspaper (about August 9, 1966)

MANTI'S 1ST WHITE CHILD AWAITS 100TH BIRTHDAY

Three years before the railroad linked the nation and 30 years before Utah was admitted to the Union, the woman reputed to be the first white child in Manti was born.

The woman will be 100 years old Saturday and the occasion will be marked with a family celebration.

Likes Potato Chips. Mrs. Annie Cathrine Ericksen Benson, who enjoys potato chips and Lawrence Welk, was born August 13, 1866 to Ludvig and Trena Christensen Ericksen in Manti.

The Ericksen family moved from Manti to Logan shortly after the birth of the new daughter.

Annie Catherine Ericksen was married 19 years later to Alma Peter Benson in the Logan LDS temple and the newlyweds settled in Newton, Cache, Utah.

Mrs. Benson later cared for their ten children while her husband served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Denmark. He died December 18, 1918.

Rode Ferris Wheel. At 89, Mrs. Benson rode the Ferris Wheel at an "Old Timers" party in Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. She broke a hip shortly thereafter and three years later broke her other hip in a fall. She since has been confined to a wheel chair.

Personnel at Logan Rest Home where Mrs. Benson resides said she is still particular about her looks and has a number of "favorite" dresses.

Sister is 94. Her record for longevity is being copied by a sister, Mrs. Altena Larsen, Newton, who is 94.

Five of Mrs. Benson's children are living. They are Mrs. Ira (Myrtle) Oviatt, Bert Benson both of Salt Lake City; Mrs. Reginald (Sylvia) Sanders, Newton; Mrs. Howard (Amy) Richardson, and Reuben Benson, both of Ogden.

Mrs. Benson has 44 grandchildren, 129 great-grandchildren and 64 great-great-grandchildren.

OBITUARY:

NEWTON- Annie Catherine Erickson Benson, 105, reportedly the oldest citizen in the state, passed away Monday at a local rest home.

She was born Aug. 13, 1866 in Manti, Utah, daughter of Ludvig and Trena Christensen Erickson. As a child she came with her parents to Logan where she lived for a short time, then moved to Newton.

On March 18, 1885 she married Alma P. Benson in the Logan LDS Temple. They were parents of 11 children, eight of whom preceded her in death. After the 10th child was born, her husband was called to serve on a mission to Denmark for the LDS Church. He died Dec. 18, 1918. Following the death of her eldest daughter, she raised the daughter's five children.

Active in the LDS Church, Mrs. Benson was a visiting teacher in the Relief Society for many years. She was called "Grandma" by most of the people who knew her.

Since approximately the age of 90, the Cache pioneer survived two broken hips, a broken arm, and surgery on the arteries of her head. She had been confined to a wheelchair for the past several years, however.

Surviving are a son and two daughters, Bert V. Benson, Salt Lake City; Sylvia B. Sanders, Kaysville; Amy Richardson, Ogden; a sister, Altena Larson, Logan; a brother, Joseph Erickson, California; 47 grandchildren, more than 100 great-grandchildren; 72 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held in the Newton LDS Ward Chapel Thursday at 1 p.m. with Bishop Glenn Benson officiating.

Friends may call at Hall Mortuary Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the chapel in Newton after 11 a.m. Thursday. Interment will be in the Newton Cemetery.