Peterson, Swan Peter 1860-1934

PETERSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/11/2012 at 12:13:12

The Grinnell (IA) Herald

WELL KNOWN
GRINNELL MAN
PASSES AWAY
-------------------
Swan "Pete" Peterson, Venerable
Popcorn Vendor, Dies Here
Saturday Evening.

Good old "Pete" Peterson, venerable popcorn vendor and friends of very boy and girl in town, passed away at the St. Francis hospital Saturday afternoon after suffering a stroke earlier in the week. He was nearly 74 years of age. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have run the popcorn stand just south of the Iowa Theatre, and just as Pete tried to do everything the best way it could be done, he made every sack of popcorn just as good as popcorn can be made.

Many a hundred sackful of his corn he gave away to boys and girls who lacked a nickle, but who had that hungry look in their eyes. Generous and kindly, always with a kind word of greeting for every passerby, old Pete will be sorely missed along Main street.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W.J. Stewart at the Snyder funeral home Monday afternoon, and interment was in the family lot at Hazelwood cemetery.

Swan Peter Peterson was born Sept. 4, 1860 in Sweden, having lived to the age of 73 years, 11 months and 14 days.

He came from Sweden to America in 1880 and on the first day of February, 1885, was married to Matilda Peterson and was permited almost fifty years of wedded happiness.

In the early days in the United States he worked in the steel mills in Pittsburgh and Chicago but many years ago decided to engage in agricultural pursuits and came to Poweshiek county. He remained on the farm until 1915 when he moved to Grinnell and engaged in the popcorn business. In this contact with the general public he became well known for his honesty and genial disposition and will be remembered for those little unnumbered, nameless acts which are the best part of a good man's life.

Fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen. He was a confirmed member of the Lutheran Church. He is survived by his widow, one son, G.W. of Grinnell and an elder brother, Victor of Joliet, Ill.