Peterson, Andrew P. 1841-1914

PETERSON, ANDERSON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/28/2023 at 15:59:16

Peterson, Andrew P. born Dec 22.1841 married died Dec 10, 1914 Hawarden parents Peter Peterson. Source Sioux County Death record.

Old Setter Passes Away
Death of Pioneer Homesteader of Union County SD. Andrew P. Peterson one of the pioneer homesteaders of Union County SD passed away at his home in the suburbs of this city Dec 10th at the ripe old age of 73 years. By this sad event there has passed from our midst one of the noblest and most kindly of men, whose life has ever honored Union County. There has gone from amongst us one of the few remaining of those truly great and sterling characters who have made the middle west the splendid country that it is.

Andrew P. Peterson was born in 1841, being one of a family of ten children. His early life was spent in the great school of poverty and hardship, and when younger members of the present generation would complain of hard times he would tell them of his early life, when hulled oats, potato meal and the tender sprouts of the pine trees form the sole articles of diet; when his father made the plated and spoons from which the family ate: and when his mother did all the spinning, weaving and dyeing of cloth and the making of clothes for her household.

Mr. Peterson’s first religious experience came early in like when some Baptist missionaries visited the community in which he lived. These men were whipped and persecuted for their faith and driven from the place. It made a deep impression upon his mind and he felt that these must indeed be good men.

At the age of 25 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Sophia Anderson. One son and four daughters were born to this union. In 1868 Mr. Peterson came to America, working for a time in Michigan at his trade as a blacksmith, preparatory to taking a claim in the west. His young wife followed him the next year a great sorrow overtaking her on the way, her little son David dying in Detroit, the weeping mother being thus left alone to greet her husband who awaited her coming at Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. Peterson came to Sioux City and worked there for some time. Then they journeyed on foot the forty miles to Big Springs where they settled on a claim of 160 acres eight miles southwest of Hawarden, which Mr. Peterson continued to own to the time of his death.

In 1876 he became a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church at which communion he was a faithful and honored member until his death.
In 1894 the wife whom he loved so dearly was taken away by death.

In 1909 he was married again to Mrs. Mary Rasmussen at Cedar Falls, Iowa. They made their home at Cedar Falls for several years and moved to Hawarden about two years ago where they have since made their home. Besides his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Mary Ericson, Mrs. Ida Johnson, Mrs. Hannah Christensen and Mrs. Tillie Christian, survive to mourn his death.

Last July Mr. Peterson was stricken with Bright’s disease, which, complicated with the infirmities of his years, brought about a rapid decline, and he passed away in perfect peace.

The funeral was held Sunday from the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. W. Ericson at the Baptist church at Big Springs, where interment took place. The services were conducted by Rev. R A Arlander of the Baptist church, Elder Larr, of the Seventh Day Adventist denomination of Red field SD and Docter Percy Mangan, an old friend of the family of Nashville TN. Beautiful selections of hymns were rendered by the Baptist choir.