JACOBSEN, Peter 1841-1924

JACOBSEN, HANSEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/9/2015 at 08:41:46

Peter Jacobsen, Dike, Dead

Peter Jacobsen, one of the best known and most highly respected residents of Dike, passed away very suddenly while seated at his breakfast table last Sunday morning (March 2nd) at the ripe old age of 83 years.

Mr. Jacobsen had been up and around as usual and out of doors that morning and was apparently in his usual health up to his sudden and unexpected passing away at eight o'clock while seated at the breakfast table.

Mr. Jacobsen had been a resident of Grundy county for 52 years. He retired from farming about ten years ago and since then has been making his home in Dike.

The funeral services took place at the Fredsville church Wednesday afternoon.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 6 March 1924, pg 1

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This community was shocked Sunday forenoon to hear of the sudden death of Mr. Jacobsen, who passed away while at breakfast with his family. Heart disease, to which he had been subject for many years, was the cause of his death. Mr. Jacobsen left to mourn his loss his wife, two daughters, Miss Elsie at home, and Mrs. C. A. Morris, a teacher in the Dike schools, also five sons, Hans of North Dakota, and Jim, Martha, Jake and Walter, all residing in and near Dike. The funeral was held Wednesday at one p.m. from the house, with services at two o'clock at the Fredsville church, and the remains laid to rest in the cemetery at that place.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 6 March 1924, pg 10

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Obituary of Jens Peter Jacobsen

Jens Peter Jacobsen was born near Frederien, Denmark, May 15th, 1841, the youngest of a family of ten children, and departed this life at his home in Dike, Iowa, March 2nd, 1924, at the age of 82 years, nine months and 16 days and was laid at rest in the cemetery of the Danish Lutheran church at Fredsville, Iowa. He had been a member of this church since it was organized.

Both of his parents dying while he was yet young, he was when but a mere boy cast upon his own resources to meet life's problems alone.

He served in the Danish army from 1863 to 1865, taking part in the war between Denmark and Prussia and Austria, participating in the principle battles of that war. He was one of the King's guards.

He was united in marriage to Hannah Hansen. To this union seven children were born. H. P. Jacobsen of Mott, North Dakota, Elsie, Jacob, Martin C., Walter F. and Jens J. Jacobsen and Mrs. C. A. Morris, all of Dike, Iowa, together with his faithful wife and six grandchildren survive him.

In that period of depression and reconstruction which is the result of war he caught a vision of the opportunities of America, first coming to the United States in 1871 with no assets, but with a debt of $25, settling in Grundy county, where he has ever since made his home. He first began to work as a farm hand and so continued until 1879, when by hard work and self denial he had saved sufficient money to make a payment on eighty acres of land in the northeast corner of the county, and to improve the same and purchase the necessary farm equipment. There he established his home and here all of his children but one were born.

Again by saving and sound judgment and with the assistance of his devoted wife he toiled until this land was paid for and sufficient accumulation was made to purchase what is known as the Jacobsen farm three miles east of Dike. This farm he owned at the time of his death. Here he lived and educated his children until December, 1914, when he retired to enjoy a well earned rest, moving to Dike, where he lived until the last.

Peter Jacobsen was one of America's adopted sons. He early gained a true conception of American institutions and a clear vision of American ideals, which increased with each unfolding year. Often has he said "Our United States will be no greater tomorrow than is the character and ideals of her sons and daughters of today."

Proud of his nationality, he was first and last a true American citizen. He perceived that the security and high character of his adopted country lay in the home. His home life was exemplary. There by precept and example he constantly endeavored to instill into the lives of those for whom he was responsible those attributes which are for the building of character and true manhood.

He was a man of high character and fixed integrity, a true, faithful and devoted husband and father. His faith and trust was ever in his Maker. He dwelt not upon defects, and having an eye only for the good, with good will towards all, he emphasized only the noble and the true.

By his simplicity of purpose and high character and cheerful and jovial disposition he gave a new impulse to life and was ever an inspiration to his neighbors and friends. He lived his life and lived it well. He is gone but not forgotten. The influence of his life will ever remain. The attributes and lofty purposes and that high character of life to which he gave a new impulse will ever remain on the high plane where he left them until others take up the duty of perpetuating and advancing them where he laid them down. He has not lived in vain.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 13 March 1924, pg 4