Erick A. Erickson was born to Anders E. Haugen and Siri Christine Wold Haugen on December 21, 1876 in Grand Meadow, Minnesota. It is believed that sometime shortly after Anders' death in 1878 the family changed their last name to Erickson, but it is unclear why that was done. Erickson's mother remarried in 1879 to Anders Flatbraaten who later changed his last name to Gilbertson, the reason for this is also unclear. She died in 1913. Erickson's family left Grand Meadow in the spring of 1881 and moved to Primrose Township in Steele County, Dakota Territory.

In 1903 Erickson married Oline Kjos, a Norwegian immigrant. Erickson spent the majority of his life farming, but also was involved in other activities around North Dakota. For thirty years he served as the secretary, treasurer and director of the Steele County Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company. He also served two terms as the treasurer of Steele County, and was a director and adjuster for the North Dakota Farmers Mutual Tornado and Cyclone Insurance Company. Erickson also made an unsuccessful election bid for the North Dakota legislature. He worked as a farmer until his death in 1934.