Peterson, Henry Leonard (1877-1932)

PETERSON, FALLEIN, SHAEFFER, RUPP, WARREN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Bethlehem Church at Slater was filled to overflowing Friday afternoon by relatives and friends from far and near who gathered to pay their last mark of respect and esteem to Henry L. Peterson, prominent Slater merchant, whose sudden death on the morning of Nov. 29 had cast a mantle of sorrow over the community.

The services were in charge of his pastor, the Rev. G.C. Swain. He was assisted by Rev. E.R. Rorem, a near neighbor and friend of the deceased. Rev. Swain's text was John 14. Throughout he paid a splendid tribute to the memory of the deceased. Rev. Rorem chose as his subject, "Our Father in Heaven." He, too, wove a wreath in memory of the departed one. Appropriate musical numbers completed the beautiful service. Rev. Swain sang "No Night There," and Miss Ruth Halverson sang "In the Garden". The men's chorus sang two numbers and Miss Ruth Halverson presided at the pipe organ.

Floral offerings, many and very beautiful, covered the casket and banked the altar. Their freshness and beauty reflected in a measure at least the esteem in which the deceased had been held by the people of the community in which he had lived for 44 years.

The pallbearers were near relatives, as follows: Elmer C. Fallein, Ellis Fallein, E.N. Teander, S.E. Shaeffer, J.P. Warren and Albert Fallein. The remains were laid to rest in the South Marion Cemetery, southeast of Stratford, among loved ones who had passed on before.

Henry Leonard Peterson was born at Rockford, Ill. Aug. 19, 1877, and passed away at his home at Slater, Iowa, Nov. 29, 1932, at an age of 55 years, 3 months, 10 days. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. August Peterson.

With his parents he moved to Sheldahl, Iowa, in 1881 where they resided until 1888 when they took up their residence at Slater. After attending the public schools and later a business college in Des Moines, he became associated with his father in the clothing business in which he continued until the time of his death.

On Feb. 26, 1919, he was united in marriage to Miss Esther Elizabeth Fallein of Stratford, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Henrietta, age 16 and Stanley, age 12, who with the widow survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother having passed on Dec. 29, 1915, and his father Nov. 16, 1918.

With his parents Henry became identified with the Methodist church as a child and was a faithful, active member as long as he lived. He served it in various capacities, being the efficient secretary and treasurer of its Sunday school for 12 years, remaining treasurer until the time of his death. He was a firm believer in life everlasting and in that belief he passed on to meet his Maker and be with those whom he loved and lost awhile.

He lived a quiet, unassuming life and his associates everywhere regarded him with the respect of one whose life purposes are high and helpful. His home life was ideal and he was deeply devoted to his family, who are left to revere his memory with love and tenderness.

Besides his wife and children he leaves to mourn his untimely death, three sisters - Mrs. Esther Shaeffer of Stratford; Mrs. Mae Rupp of West Chicago, Ill., and Mrs. Blanche Warren of Carroll, Iowa. Also two brothers - Archie Peterson of Slater and Van Peterson of Independence, Kan.

- Slater News