Weber, Peter Henry Otto 1887-1968

WEBER, CHRISTIANSEN, GROTE, HOLIHAN, BUTER

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 6/21/2007 at 11:16:59

The Dunlap (Iowa) Reporter
dated September 13, 1968:

Rev. E. Leo Ford conducted Requiem Mass for Peter Henry Otto Weber, 81, Saturday, Aug. 31, 1968 at 8:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dunlap. Mr. Weber died Wednesday, Aug. 27 after an extended illness.

Pallbearers were all grandsons of the deceased: Paul Weber, Rolland Grote, Thomas Weber, Michael Christiansen, Philip Weber and Ferrell Weber. Barrett Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Rosaries were said Friday afternoon and evening at the mortuary. Burial was in Pleasant Hill cemetery. Lunch was provided by the C. D. of A.

Peter H. O. Weber was born May 5, 1887 in Crawford County near Charter Oak. He was the son of Peter and Sophia Weber. He was married to Julia Holihan May 10, 1911. Six children were born to this union, all of whom survive.

Mr. Weber lived in and around Dunlap most of his life, farming and having a wood working shop while living in Dunlap. He was also inventor of many things including the original Booster Buck.

Survivors include his wife, Julia; his six children, four sons: James La Verne of Sergeant Bluff, Harvey of Anaheim, Calif., Marvin of Torrance, Calif., and Earl of Dunlap, two daughters: Pearl, Mrs. Harry Grote and Leona, Mrs. Philip Christiansen, both of Inglewood, Calif.; 27 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Berens and Mrs. Pete Pedersen and two brothers, Henry and Herman, all of Dunlap.

Preceding him in death were his parents, four brothers: Alfred, Bernard, Louis and Franz and one sister, Mrs. Elsie Buter.

Others besides all of the children who attended the services and called at the Weber home were: Rose Holihan, Mr. and Mrs. Kendall, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Gorham and Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Schulte, all of Omaha; Rev. and Mrs. William Simpson of Redding, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Harrington and sons of Glenwood; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Harms of Clinton; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Fouts, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Hoffmeier, Mr. and Mrs. Malcom Heiden, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ahrenholtz, Donald Jensen, Giles Noonen and Jack Murphy, all of Denison; Mrs. Estelle Noble and Bert and Arch Jeys, all of Lincoln, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Max Gorham and Keith Gorham of Woodbine; Mrs. Ruth Johnson of Storm Lake; Rev. Joseph O’Brien; Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Siemann of Carroll; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Goodman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hemingsen and Mrs. Ruth Carberry and son, all of Council Bluffs; Edwin Rife, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Russman and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Russman of Avoca; Edwin Norby and Fingwald Olson of Soldier; Helen Higgins of Definance; Mr. and Mrs. Vonesh, the former Dela Weber and Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Melia of Inglewood, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell Weber and son of Garden Grove, Calif; and Mr. and Mrs. Emory Hansen of Harlan.

INFORMATION NOT
INCLUDED ABOVE:

Peter Weber and Julia Holihan, daughter of James and Bridget (Doherty) Holihan, were married in 1911. It was at that time they purchased James Holihan's farm located in Willow Township, Monona County, Iowa. All of their children were born in the farmhouse on that farm.

In about 1938-1939, while living in Monona County, Peter invented the Booster Buck. (Patent #2,246,083) This piece of farm machinery was primarily used by farmers to put up hay. A factory was set up in Dunlap, Iowa. Peter went into partnership with George V. Gorham to produce and sell the Booster Buck. It was at that time that Peter moved off the farm in Monona County and moved to the town of Dunlap. His son, Earl Weber, continued to live on that farm until about 1948.