Peter/Peder Christian Petersen/Pedersen (1848-1936)

PETERSEN, PEDERSEN, ANDERSON, LARSON, PETERSON, CHRISTIANSEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/17/2024 at 18:53:09

From Story City Herald June 25, 1936 (page 2)

P. C. PEDERSEN

Peder Christian Pedersen was a native of Denmark and was born in Sjalland on the 5th day of March, 1848, where he also spent his boyhood days and grew to manhood. He was dedicated to the Lord by the rite of holy baptism on the 14th day of May 1848, and was educated in the schools of Denmark and when 14 years of age he was confirmed by the church. In the autumn of 1872, when he was 24 years of age, he came to America and at first located in Lee county, Illinois, where he resided for a short time. In the spring of 1873 he left the Illinois community and came out farther west to locate at Story City, Iowa.

During the early years of his labors he was given the testimony by his employers of having been an efficient, faithful, conscientious and very dependable workman. He is being spoken of in highest terms relative to his industrious life, his integrity, and his friendship. He proved himself a very sympathetic friend to such who needed aid and was ready to lend his assistance. He was kindly disposed and of an optimistic mood which aided greatly in winning unto himself many friends. He was blessed with unusual good health down thru the many years of his earthly career which is an evidence of having been a man of regular habits and moderate in his living. According to his own testimony he never had been under a doctor's care until he became afflicted, as a result of old age during the past year.

Mr. Pedersen was twice married and both of his companions preceded him in death. In 1874 he was married to Miss Anna Christine Anderson at Story City, and after 15 years of matrimonial bliss his good wife was taken by death on Dec. 14, 1889. To them were given three children, all of whom survive. On April 11, 1890, he was again married at Nevada, when Miss Marentine Anna Kristine Larson became his companion, and to them six children came to gladden the home, of whom five survive. After sharing joy and sorrow with each other his second wife was taken from him by death on the 27th anniversary of their marriage April 11, 1917.

Mr. Pedersen was engaged in farming practically all down thru the years in which he lived in this community, and for 58 years lived on the farm on which he passed away on last Saturday evening, June 20, 1936. His age at the time of his death was 88 years, 3 months and 15 days. For a short time he was engaged as a stone cutter and it was his good fortune to have been one of several men who cut and prepared the cornerstone of the present State house in Des Moines.

He is survived by his eight children, who are: Peter M. of Elmore, Minn.; Mary (Mrs. Bernhard Peterson) of Chocolate Bayou, Texas; Charlie of Mt. Rose, S. D.; Thora (Mrs. S. P. Christiansen) of Stanhope; Lewis of Cluffield, Sask., Canada; William and Caroline of Story City, and Christ of Jasper Park, Alberta, Canada. One son, Andrew, who was in our country's service during the World war, died and buried at sea enroute to France in 1918. There also remain 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, besides other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, June 23, first from the Henderson Funeral Home and then from the Grace Evangelical church, Rev. G. L. Bergeman in charge. A quartet composed of George Sowers, Arnold Anderson, Mrs. Wm. Petersen and Lois Bergeman, accompanied by Vernon Andersen, furnished the music. Interment was made at Fairview cemetery. Pall bearers were John H. Johnson, J. C. Johnson, Mathias Johnson, T. Z. Henryson, Willie Egemo and M. H. Henryson.

All of the children were present except Mrs. Bernhard Peterson of Texas and Christ of Canada.