Nels Peter Peterson (1873-1969)

HALVORSEN, MATSON, PETERSON, SPANGLER

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:02

Nels Peter Peterson was born November 14th, 1873, in Sweden to Parnella and Swan Peterson. He died at the Community Hospital in Clarion, Iowa, December 29th, 1968, at 2:45 p.m. having suffered a stroke on December 17th. He had reached the age of 95 years, one month, and 15 days.

As a lad of eight he came to America with his parents, arriving on October 18th, 1881. They settled in the vicinity of Britt, Iowa, where he spent his boyhood. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

As a young man he worked on a farm near the area where he eventually purchased a farm four miles west of Goldfield, and where he spent the most of his life. On March 19th, 1901 he was united in marriage to Fredrica [Frederica] A. Matson. To this union were born nine children, eight of whom are still living, one having died in infancy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, four sisters, one infant son and his companion of over fifty years who went to be with the Lord on June 3rd, 1960.

Those surviving him include his children- Joseph M. of Orland Park, Ill.; William B. of DeMotte, Indiana; Reuben C. of Britt, Iowa; George S. of Clarion; Clarence L. of Goldfield, Lawrence K. of Austin, Tex.; Ruth M. (Mrs. P. R. Halvorsen) of Eagle Grove, Edith (Mrs. Carroll Spangler) of Eagle Grove, 26 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother Henry Peterson, of Grenora, North Dakota.

Although he had little opportunity for a formal education, Mr. Peterson was an avid reader and took an active interest in the welfare of his community. For a number of years, he served as township trustee.

As a young man he received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal saviour, and was baptized in the Boone River near Goldfield, and sometime later became a member of the Goldfield Baptist Church, where he served faithfully for many years.

In 1943 he and his wife moved to Eagle Grove where he lived until 1963 when he went back to the farm and spent his remaining years with his son Clarence.

During his time in Eagle Grove, he became a member of the First Baptist Church of Eagle Grove. Although a quiet man he gave real evidence of sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a love for God's word, which he read morning and night almost to his dying day.

The Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, January 9, 1969