Charles Robert Erkkila

Charles Erkkila was born in Lumijoki in Oulun Lääni on June 28, 1859. At the age of 21 he left Finland, landed at Ellis Island, New York, where he stayed for a couple of years. From New York he made his way to Duluth and took the steamboat to Port Arthur (Prince Arthur’s Landing) where two of his brothers were operating the Erkkila Hotel (later the CN Hotel). Charles found employment at the hotel, moved on to construction jobs and the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Charles met Mary Nappala in 1895 and after a short courtship they were rnarried in the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Port Arthur. Charles and Mary wanted to start their own farm so they applied for free land (South /2 Lot 5. Concession V) in Lybster Township in 1900. Their property was on the hill south of the village of Nolalu. a short walk from the Pee Dee Railway. In 1907, after clearing several acres of trees to create his fields and building a dwelling Charles was issued the deed for his property.
Charles and Mary had two daughters. Hilja (married Victor Ilkka) and Lyyli (married Howard Suddeth). They also adopted a girl from Finland who was also named Hilja (married Niilo Kyro).
Charles and his neighbour, Henry Pelto, operated a sawmill in the village of Nolalu for several years. He built a large bam and worked his farrn until his death in 1945. He was 86. Charles and Mary Erkkila were among the first pioneer settlers in the Nolalu area.
(H.W. Alanen, They Came From All Around, Thunder Bay 2015, p.286)

Lumijoki rippikirja 1901-1910 (AP_III I Aa:3) Sivu 949 E ; SSHY http://www.sukuhistoria.fi/sshy/sivut/jasenille/paikat.php?bid=2805... / Viitattu 24.07.2023 - Amerikassa

Death notice FWTJ Erikkila, Charles Robert 86 5 Dec 1945 FW 5 Dec 1945 p.3

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150944741/charles-robert-erkkila