Erick J. Peterson (1835-1925)

PETERSON, THORSDATTER, JOHANNESSEN, JOHNSON, NORDSKOG, PHILLOPS, WICKS, HOLLAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/30/2024 at 18:40:50

From Story City Herald February 12, 1925 (page 3)

E. J. PETERSON

On Jan. 21st, 1925, it was reported that Eric J. Peterson had passed to the great beyond. While it came as a surprise to many, it was not wholly unexpected, because he had been failing very fast the last six months or year.

He was born, baptized and confirmed at Savereide, Skaanevik Prestegjeld, Norway. He was born June 10th, 1834, so his next birthday would have been his 90th. April 8, 1856, he immigrated to America, settling at Lisbon, Ill., where he immediately joined Rev. P. A. Rasmussen's congregation.

In 1858 he was united in holy matrimony with Kari Thorsdatter, but after one short year, she died in June, 1859, leaving a son. This son, whose name was Peder, lived a few months when he too passed away. These were terribly discouraging times for Mr. Peterson. He never like to talk about this period of his life. The next few years he did common farm labor and some carpentering.

Aug. 11th, 1862, according to the Illinois Adjutant General's report, he volunteered as a private in the Civil war, and was in Co. E, 91st Regiment of Illinois Infantry, in which he served until he was honorably discharged April 13th, 1865, on account of disability, thus serving Uncle Sam 2 years, 8 months and 2 days, at $13 per month. In later years he received a Government pension, but is one of few who refused to make application for the $72.00 pension which he was entitled to. He said $50.00 per month was enough.

Immediately after leaving the army he came to Story City, where many of his Lisbon friend had emigrated. He followed carpentering, and many old well preserved buildings bespeak his skill and honest workmanship. It was at this time that his old time friend, Torkel Henryson, taught him the rudiments of the English language. He often spoke of the start he made in the English language and he became unusually proficient.

In the spring of 1866 he again had serious thoughts of establishing a home of his own on some land he had bought north of town. He was fortunate and found one of the best ladies of the land willing to share with him all that life gives. He was married to Julia Cherstine Johannessen, June 14, 1866, by Rev. Nils Amlund, the resident pastor here then. To this union was born 12 children. The second child, Peder, died at the age of 12 years, April 4th, 1877, and the tenth child, a boy, died on day of birth, Sept. 28th, 1887.

Those living are Mrs. Caroline Nordskog, Des Moines; Mrs. P. M. Phillops, Story City; M. P. Peterson, Chugwater, Wyo.; E. D. Peterson, Dodge Center, Minn.; Mrs. G. O. Wicks, Radcliffe; Mrs. Sivert Holland, Story City; P. J. Peterson, Chugwater, Wyo.; Mrs. Osmund Holland, Story City; Miss Margaret Peterson, of Des Moines, and G. R. Peterson of Austin, Minn.

Mrs. E. J. Peterson passed away April 4th, 1920. The writer of this wishes time and space would be spared to speak mor of her; how she was found an infant, motherless, in the forests of Wisconsin; how her grandmother carried her on her back from Waupaca, Wis., to Norway, Ill. Quite a story but it does not belong here.

E. J. Peterson leaves besides his ten children, 30 grand children and 11 great grand children.

The funeral service was held in the St. Petri church, of which he was a charter member. Over 60 years of faithful and active membership is no doubt a record no one here has attained so far. It shows a steadfastness that it would be well to emulate. Rev. Andersen, his pastor, officiated at the last service, taking the text, I Corinthians 15:10, which was well interpreted and very appropriate.

During the last year Mr. Peterson has visited first with one and then with another of his daughters. All were glad to entertain and care for him. At the time of his last sickness he was at his daughter's home, Mrs. P. M. Phillops, from where he was taken to the local hospital where he had the best of care.

In the passing of E. J. Peterson this community not only loses a pioneer, but a man who did things worth-while. No one in this community did more for community, church, state and nation than Mr. Peterson did. Every public trust--and he had many--was conscientiously and honestly filled. He was always foremost in church and school, religious as well as public schools. He always championed the public good in politics. The result must have been gratifying to him, when he saw that all his children and grand children are Christian men and women and consequently good law abiding citizens of the land he bled and fought for.

Let us who knew him remember him as an honest, upright, plain and straight-forward neighbor, who always stood firm for what he thought was right. Let u remember also that what material wealth he possessed was earned by hard work and intelligent savings, not by sharp deals at the expense of you or me. Let us honor men like him. Blessed be his memory.
L.J.T.