Several weeks ago I felt that I needed to know more about my great grandfather Peter Peterson. I re-read his death notice in
The Journal of 6 January 1914. The last line stated something that I had not noticed before "A biographical sketch will appear later." I found that the Logan Library had microfilmed copies of old Herald Journals so I went there on Friday. Within fifteen minutes I had copies of the 8 January 1914 paper with information that was new to my dad. I have transcribed them as taken from the 8 January issue (spelling, highlights, and punctuation as found in the article). I will do additional work to learn of the Capt. Brown 1861 immigation company and look for Peter Peterson references in journals of those listed.
The Journal
Logan City, Cache County, Utah
Tuesday, January 6, 1914Peter Peterson Dead
Well Known Farmer of Cache County Passes To The Great BeyondPeter Peterson of Petersboro and Logan, one of the old residents of this county and one of its most successful farmers, is no more, having passed away in Ogden on Saturday afternoon. He had been troubled with kidney and bladder affections and finally submitted to an operation. The surgeon’s knife disclosed a condition that was worse than was expected and it was soon apparent that death would ensue. The news was a tremendous shock to the friends of Mr. Petersen here, for on the day previous he had been in Logan and apparently he was in fair health.
The funeral services are to be held in Mendon, on Wednesday at one o’clock and interment will be there. The remains were brought to this city first and remained here until this morning when they were taken to the Peterboro home where they will lie until tomorrow morning.
Arrangements have been made for a special train to leave here tomorrow at 12 o’clock and return at 5. It will go and come by way of Hyrum and Wellsville.
Mr. Petersen was 66 years of age and he leaves a wife and family of seven sons. He was a man whose word was recognized to be as good as his bond wherever he was known, and he had a host of friends in this section of the state. He had resided in Cache since 1862 or 1863, and had attained a reputation of being one of the most progressive farmers in the state. A biographical sketch will appear later.
(NOTE: I have a photo of Peter that I will insert at a later date. Martin)
The Journal
Logan City, Cache County, Utah
Thursday, January 8, 1914
(Page one – large photo of Peter Peterson)
Large Attendance At Funeral Services
Last Honors Are Paid To The Memory Of Peter PetersenThe last sad tributes of respect were paid to the memory of Peter Peterson, yesterday, at the little city of Mendon, where, years ago, he made his home and formed association that impressed him so deeply that time could not efface them, impelling him to ask that his earthly tabernacle be laid away to rest amid the surroundings of former days.
And seldom has finer tribute been paid to one of Cache’s citizens. The throng that assembled to do honor to this good mans memory came from many parts of this section of the state, and they represented all classes, all lines of human endeavor, the rich, the poor, the sturdy tiller of the soil, the business man, the banker and professional worker. There was manifested a sincere feeling of respect, love and sympathy, that told better than all else, better even than that glorious mass of blossoms that covered the casket, of the esteem in which Peter Peterson was held by the men and women with whom he had lived, labored, suffered and fought his way up. The spacious meeting house at Mendon was filled to overflowing, when Bishop Mormon Bird announced that the services would be opened by a quartette selection Messrs Frank Baugh, Oliver Skanchy, Helmer Peterson and John Petersen, were the singers and they rendered that beautiful hymn “Come unto Me and Rest.”
Elder Thomas Morgan of Logan offered the invocation.
Mr. Frank Baugh then sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere.”
Elder John F. Squires of Ogden was the first one to address the mourners. He said he had known the deceased for 35 years. He knew him to be a man of strong opinions, candid, fearless in his advocacy of the right. Peter Petersen was not an over-religious man, but never-theless he lived up to every law of morality, honesty, and truth. One of (continued on page five – Large Attendance At Funeral Services) the most industrious men that Cache had, a great exemplar and a thoroughly good man. He was a man who had made a success of his life’s work for in addition to acquiring a competence he had reared a splendid family. He was a man who was always kind to dumb animals.
Elder Willard S. Hansen of Collinston spoke next. He said he had become acquainted with Peter Peterson because of the reputation the latter had of being a thinking progressive farmer, and a strong character. It was always a pleasure to meet him and exchange views with him. Said the speaker “his life was an inspiration to me and to many others who followed his methods and sought his advice. He was perhaps not a religious man, in the sense that that word is used, but he was a good man an honest, industrious charitable citizen, one who made the world better for his having lived in it.
Dr. George Thomas said: “Peter Peterson was a friend of mine, one of the best friends I had. I knew him to be an honest man. He was a splendid type of citizen. It is inconceivable to me that a man who could do the things that Peter Peterson has done and not be filled with faith in God.” “He was a man who despised sham, pretense and trickery, and a consistent foe of all who practice them. He was a real friend, never wavering in his allegiance to one to whom he became attached. In his political thinking, he was clean, independent and fearless.” “I feel a personal loss in his going away, and I mourn him sincerely. And if I can do anything for his family to repay the kindness and consideration shown me by this splendid man, it will be my pleasure.”
Elder Thomas Morgan was glad to mingle his voice with those of the previous speakers in paying tribute to a good man. He had lived and worked with Peter Peterson since the days when they were young men and he could say Amen to every word that had been uttered. Peter Peterson was absolutely honest and he always stood for what was right. He lived as a grand example to the community. There never lived a man who was more considerate of dumb animals than Peter Peterson.
Elder W. W. Maughan said he could endorse every word of praise offered over the bier of his deceased friend. He knew him to be a man of faith, of integrity, one who lived in strict conformity with the light that God vouch-safed to him. He was a man who could not, would not, tolerate hypocrisy. He always tried to deal justly with everybody, and was two big a man to take advantage of any one. There is a growing idea that in order to be financially successful, one must needs be crooked, dishonest. Peter Peterson’s life was a flat contradiction of that claim, for he was entirely honest.
Dr. George Thomas then read a tribute to the departed, written by Aaron De Witt.
N. W. Crookston attested the truth of all eulogies that had been uttered over the dead body of his friend. He urged the sons of the deceased to stick together and to build upon the foundation their father had laid. The speaker related an incident showing the kindness to dumb animals that characterized Peter Peterson’s life.
Prest. W. C. Parkinson expressed the gratification he felt over the splendid tributes that had been paid to the deceased. He was sure they were merited by the life Peter Peterson had led. He invoked the blessings of God upon the bereaved family.
Mr. Squires asked permission to relate one incident that he had forgotten. When Mr. Peterson went to the hospital, he did not alarm his people by telling them where he was going. He did not even tell the people at the hospital to send word to his family, but to Mr. Squires instead, and the sad duty of informing the family had fallen upon him.
Bishop Mormon Bird in closing the services, said the splendid attendance attested the esteem in which the deceased was held by the community. He thanked all those who had ministered in any way to the family during the bereavement and called down the blessings of heaven upon those who mourned.
The quartette sang, “It is well with my Soul” and Elder Andrew Andersen of Mendon offered the benediction.
The grave was dedicated by Elder Joseph J. Richardson.
Biography of Peter PetersonBorn in Jutland, Denmark, Oct. 9, 1847. Son of Jens and Helene Peterson. Came with parents to Iowa in 1859. Three sisters started on the journey to Iowa but two died while crossing the ocean and the third died shortly after reaching Iowa. After living one or two years in Iowa started with parents for Utah across plains. Arrived in Ogden in 1861 in Capt. Brown’s company. Shortly after came to Millville and spend several years there. Later he moved to Hyde Park and remained there nearly five years. Finally settled in Logan fourth ward with his parents. Lived there until 1877 when he homesteaded a farm in Peterboro which he developed into one of the best in the state. In 1878 he married Mrs. Mary Larsen Benson. He is survived by the latter and seven sons. Five of these sons are engaged in operating the farm: they are Edward, Oliver, Levi, Fred, Miles. One son Willard is located at Price, Utah and one, Jesse is in Government service in Oregon. In 1883 he went to Montana and did construction work on the Utah Northern Railroad. He was a prominent leader in dry farming and also quite a large stock raiser. He methods were always progressive and modern. His farm is very completely equipped with modern machinery and tools. His careful use and good care of machinery and tools made them last several times longer than the ordinary life of a machine. His farm was often visited by experts and investigators from all parts of the world. He was a great lover of horses, and he never world permit them to be mistreated or underfed.
Friends:
Now that is the way to serve fruit -- chocolate apples even.
Before we left, we HAD to have a game of hide-and-seek with the kids -- large and small. Hint: Do not let Megan see where you are hiding. She will come and stand by you so the seeker can easily spot where you are! Also, if you don't see Claire right away, she will giggle so she is easier to find. At the end of the game, Janae went crazy and grabbed a can of spray something or other and got the kids. Evidence follows:
