Peder Henrik Knutson, 1847-1931

KNUTSON

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/20/2009 at 16:01:26

Peder Henrik Knutson was born at Kopfervik, near Haugesund, Norway on March 17, 1847. His death, resulting from gangrene from which he painfully suffered for many weeks, occurred Sunday afternoon, October 18, 1931 at 3:15 o'clock, being 84 years, 7 months and one day old.

Like so many of his fellow countrymen, Mr. Knutson decided to immigrate to America. Thus he bade his native land, Norway, goodbye in 1878 and arrived at Elliot, Ill., later that year. He remained in Illinois for six years; then he moved westward, coming to Emmet County in 1884. On September 18, that same year, he married Miss Catharina Worra whom he had known from his youth while he lived in the old country. They were married on a farm seven miles northeast of Estherville where they lived for several years. Later Mr. and Mrs. Knutson bought a farm one half-mile east of Tuttle Lake. On this second place they lived until 1900, when they moved to the farm on which they have resided the last 31 years.

This union was blessed with six sons, namely Martin, who passed away in 1921; Ole of Dolliver; Kenneth of Des Moines; Barney of Minneapolis, Silas on the home place and William of Chicago. Besides being survived by Mrs. Knutson and the five sons, Mr. Knutson is also survived by seven grandchildren.

Mr. Knutson was one of the charter members of the Palestine congregation when it was organized about 40 years ago. Mr. Knutson has always been interested in church work. Thus he would often be seen with his family driving in an open lumber wagon the many miles from the farm east of Tuttle Lake to the Sunde school house--a distance of many miles--and would often be the first ones to arrive.

The funeral service was conducted on Thursday, October 22nd at 1:30 p.m. from the house and 2 p.m. from the Palestine church. Interment was made in the cemetery 2 1/2 miles east of the church. Rev. Peder Nordsletten of Wallingford officiated. He was assisted by Rev. T. J. Severtson of Eagle Grove, a former pastor of the congregation and by Rev. R. Hjelmeland of Ceylon, Minn. Rev. L. A. Mathre too spoke, and likewise C. J. Carlson and Mr. Barney Knutson, one of the sons of the departed. Rev. Nordsletten brought a greeting to the sorrowing family from Rev. T. Hanson, Lakefield, Minn., their former pastor.

Mr. Sternborg of Estherville directed the funeral. Miss Sadie Olson accompanied the singers who were Alvin, Hazel, Emma and Henry Sunde. This quartette sang three songs at the church and also one at the grave. Mr. Lawrence Sunde rendered a solo in the Norwegian language. In memory of Mr. Knutson his neighbors and friends gave $17.00 to the Ebenezer Old People's Home of Minneapolis. The widow, Mrs. Knutson, instead of purchasing flowers, gave a gift of $25.00 towards the cause of the old retired pastors of the church-body.

The five sons and a grandson, Amos Knutson, of Estherville, served as the pall bearers. A variety of floral offerings decked the casket.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: The Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1931.