Abbie Lavina Robinson Peterson 1861-1927

PETERSON, ROBINSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/2/2011 at 19:39:06

Death Claims Mrs. Peterson
Funeral Arrangements Will Be Announced Here Later
Estherville was grieved this morning to hear of the death of Mrs. A. O. Peterson, one of the earliest pioneers of the city, who died Tuesday evening shortly after 7 o’clock. Mrs. Peterson had been an invalid for a number of years, and had suffered several strokes sometime ago. She was confined to her bed during the past few years.

Funeral arrangements have not been made definitely yet, pending word from out-of-town relatives. An obituary of Mrs. Peterson will be published in the Democrat in next week’s issue. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 16, 1927)

Obituary of Mrs. Peterson
Abbie Lavina Robinson was born at Windsor Mills, Canada, March 27, 1861, being the youngest child o James and Chloe Robinson, and one of a family of seven. The family migrated to Highgate, Vermont in 1867, and later to Iowa, the father being a Methodist minister, they moved to the following places: 1869 Wright County, 1871 Humboldt, 1873 Clear Lake, 1875 Emmetsburg, 187 Clear Lake again.

On October 31, 1878 she was united in holy matrimony to Augustus Oliver Peterson and the new home was founded at Emmetsburg. Whilst there she was confirmed in Trinity Episcopal Church by the Rt. Rev. Wm. Stevens Perry, Bishop of Iowa; and in the faith of this church she lived, died and was buried.

In August 1881 the Petersons moved to Estherville in which place she has been remarkably active in many fraternal and community enterprises. A member of the P.E.O., Chapter AY; a member of “harmony” Rebekkah lodge; Esther Auxiliary No. 2; President of the Estherville Associated Charities for several years; one of the organizers of the Ladies of The Decoration and its president for six years; and a member of the Service Star Legion – this record for fraternal interest is an enviable one.

However, Mrs. Peterson did not allow her social interest to interfere with her home responsibilities. She was the mother of eight children – six boys and two girls. A son and daughter died in infancy, and a second son died in Casper, Wyoming, on March 22, 1922. The five children remaining to mourn with their devoted father are: Arthur Henry of Minneapolis; Earl Wallace of Englewood, Cal.; Clarence Romaine of Casper, Wyo.; Lucile and Russell of Estherville. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 23, 1927)

In addition from the Estherville Democrat:
Funeral services for Mrs. A. O. Peterson, 65 years old, were held Friday afternoon at the home, conducted by the Rev. Wallace Essingham of the Grace Episcopal church. Mrs. Peterson died last Tuesday night after an illness of several years. During the service Mrs. John Greig and Mrs. Ruth Stockdale furnished appropriate music.

Mrs. Peterson’s active and industrious life was slowed down by a slight stroke about three years ago. From a slight impairment she gradually became an invalid. She made no complaint, asking only to have her loved ones near. At the beginning of 1927 she began to fail rapidly and died on Feb. 15.

Beautiful in death, surrounded by a veritable garden of floral tributes, her body was borne from her house by loving citizens, and she was laid to rest by the side of her infant children in Oak Hill cemetery. Flowers completely covered the grave.

To look back over her life is to marvel that so much of unselfish service could be packed into 65 years. “The Lord gave” – let us thank Him! “The Lord has taken away” – let us trust Him and say “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 23, 1927)