John N. Peterson

PETERSON, SWANSON, ANDERSON, DRUG

Posted By: Nathan Lingwall (email)
Date: 9/22/2007 at 00:09:12

John N. Peterson was born in Gastrickland, Gaveleborg, Sweden on February 14th 1844, and departed this life peacefully at the home of his son Henry, near Lanyon, August 19, 1927, at the age of 83 years. He arrived in this country with his parents in 1857, after a long and stormy voyage lasting sixteen weeks, and settled at Bishop Hill, Illinois. He and his father came to Swede Bend, Iowa, about 1865, in which year he also attained his majority and became an American citizen. They joined the little group of Methodist organized by Rev. John Linn, from which the church at Dayton originated. The departed was one of the early youthful pioneers who helped erect the church building in 1871. In 1870 he was married to his faithful helpmate, Miss Maria Swanson. Of their children, three together with their mother have preceded him to the Land Beyond. Three remain to mourn his departure. Frank W. and Henry J. Peterson, who have spent their lives in this community, and their sister, Mrs. C.A. Anderson of Webb, Iowa. He is also mourned by a sister, Mrs. John T. Drug of Glendale, California, a brother-in-law, C. August Swanson of Harcourt, a sister-in-law Mrs. Caroline Peterson of Galva, Illinois, and numerous relatives among them thirteen grandchildren and a host of friends. The family moved to Lost Grove in 1877 upon the farm where, with thrift and hard work, they established a comfortable home. As a member of the Swedish M.E. Church at Dayton, living at Harcourt, he attended services at Bishop School House, and became a charter member of the Harcourt Methodist Church when it was organized as a result of that work in 1900. As long as strength permitted, he was a faithful attendant upon its services and an active worker and supporter of the church he loved. One of the last survivors of his genreation, he was anxious to depart to rejoin those gone before. The church and the community has bidden farewell to one of its most honored and revered members. His funeral was held last Sunday afternoon from the M.E. church, his impressive service, largely attended, and interment was made at Dayton Cemetery.