PETERSON, Joseph Martin 1870-1971

PETERSON, PEDERSEN, MAAKESTAD, JOHNSON, SIMONSEN

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 4/28/2015 at 09:05:37

Joseph Martin Pedersen was born April 30 (church record states 26th), 1870 on a farm at Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa to John Pedersen Maakestad and Martha Nielsdatter Johnson, the fifth of their eight children. Joseph was baptized on June 26, 1870 at the First Lutheran Church at St. Ansgar, Mitchell, Iowa. and confirmed at same on October 4, 1885.

Found in the 1870 - 1885 censuses living at Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa:
1870: John Peterson 32, Martha Peterson 29, Peter Peterson 11, Wrene Peterson 8, Edward Peterson 5, Joseph Peterson 3/12, Andrew Angarrus 30.

1880: John Peterson 47, Martha Peterson 37, Peter G. Peterson 20, Gurena Peterson 18, Joseph J. Peterson 10, Edward Peterson 6.

1885: John Peterson 51, Martha Peterson 43, Gurin J Peterson 22, Joseph J Peterson 14, Aden J Peterson 10, Emelia J Peterson 3.

Joseph married Clara Simonsen (b October 15, 1880, d 1965) in either 1901 or 1902 at Mission Hill, Yankton, South Dakota.

The couple had 1 son: Edwin S Peterson (born 1910).

Joseph was a language teacher, a professor and earned his doctorate. He taught at various schools and later in life at a college in Napa, California.

Found in the 1910 census at Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts with wife and son. Language teacher. Joseph M Peterson 40, Clara Peterson 30, Erlwin S Peterson 10 mos.

Found in the 1930, 1940 censuses at St Helena, Napa, California:
1930: Joseph M Peterson 59, teaching at a college, Clara Peterson 50, Erlwin Peterson 20.
1940: Joseph M Peterson 69, Clara Peterson 60.

Dr. Joseph M Peterson died September 11, 1971 at Deer Park, Napa, California at the age of 101 years. He is buried at the St. Helena Cemetery, St Helena, Napa, California.

There is a memorial for him at FindaGrave #48243631 with a photo of his gravestone.