John and Nils were born in Långbanshyttan, Värmland, Sweden, and received no formal education, but were taught the rudiments of mechanics from an early age by their father, Olof Ericsson.

[1] Olof worked as the superintendent of a mine in Värmland until he lost money in speculations and had to move his family to Forsvik, Västergötland, in 1810.

When two engineers sent to England by Count Platen to obtain information about canal construction returned in 1815 and began to instruct a number of cadets of the Swedish Corps of Mechanical Engineers, the Ericsson brothers were among them; Nils being then twelve years old and John eleven.

Between 1830 and 1850 Nils Ericson planned and directed the construction of the canals at Stallbacka, Säffle, Karlstad and Albrektsund.

Sweden started building railways later than many other European countries, having hesitated under heavy debate for several years because of the costs and other issues.

Following the Riksdag's decision in 1854, Erikson was chosen to lead the project of building the main lines (stambanorna).