Erik Persson
Also went by the name Erik Peterson
- Birth: 1813. Säfsnäs, Dalarna, Sweden.
- Emigrated 1868 and settled in Iowa: Marcy Township, Boone County.
- Death: 1892 Marcy, Boone County, Iowa.
Anonymous säckpipa player, 19th century. Painting attributed to Geskel Saloman, depicting general säckpipa practice and dress in Dalecarlia. This image is not a portrait of Erik Persson or any known individual, and is used here solely to illustrate period context, including the use of a “blind pipe” common in Venjan-made bagpipes.
Private collection. Used with permission. |
Erik Persson's life was an exceptional säckpipa player and made significant contributions to Swedish folk music. Born on August 1, 1813, in Säfsnäs, Sweden, he dedicated himself to mastering the traditional Swedish bagpipe. There are indications that the renowned Danish-Swedish painter Geskel Saloman may have captured his likeness in a portrait.
In 1868, Erik immigrated to the United States along with his very large family, and settled in Marcy Township, Boone County, Iowa. He listed his occupation as a farmer, while some of his Swedish neighbors worked as miners in one of neighboring coal mines. Erik Persson passed away on July 17, 1892, in Marcy Township, Iowa, at the age of 78. He was laid to rest in Swede Valley Cemetery. Erik left behind a legacy as both a farmer and a musician, with a tune from his days in Sweden still being played in his honor. Erik's lasting impact continued beyond his lifetime, as evidenced by the first tune on Olle Gällmo's CD, "med pipin I säcken," a Hamburska inspired by Erik Persson's playing style. Credit to Per-Ulf Allmo, Jan Winter, Olle Gällmo and the Norden Säckpipa Association of the Americas for providing valuable information for this story.
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FUN FACTS:
- Boone County, where Erik settled, is named after the son of the American Pioneer, Daniel Boone.