Peterson Family History

8/8/2019 Peterson Family History

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Peterson Family History

John and Minnie Peterson


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Preface

I want to tell you what I think I know about the Peterson family history, thePeterson family being (mostly) the descendants of John Morris Peterson andMinnie Alace Putney. I say think I know because history in general and familyhistory (practiced mostly by non-historians) in particular is far from precise.There are countless opportunities for misspelling, misinterpretation, mistakes,mis, etc. For instance, is Minnie Putneys middle name Alace as recordedon what may be a page from a Putney Family Bible 1 or Alice as the Illinois StateMarriage archive 2 has it?

In the pages that follow you will no doubt find what you consider to be errors.Some will have been inherited by me and others will have been created by me.When you find information you consider to be incorrect, I would be mostinterested in hearing the details from you. Please contact me with any commentsyou may have.

I hope that this document will serve to inform you and perhaps motivate you totell me what I have left out that should have been included. For now I willdiscuss what I think I know about Johan Magnus Persson, Minnie Alace Putney,and their parents, siblings and children.

JB Peterson2802 Hidden Knoll CourtSugar Land, Texas 77478March 21, 2004

[email protected]

Peterson - Taylor Genealogy

1 Births 2 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 17631900

Groom Bride Date Vol./Page CountyPETERSON, JOHN M PUTNEY, MINNIE ALICE 07/04/1881 00C/0021 HENDERSON


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In Sweden

John Morris Peterson was born June 7, 1848, near Katteberg 3 in Skrstad

parish, Jnkpings county in the province of Smland. According to SwedishChurch records 4 he was named Johan Magnus. His father was Per Jonassonand his mother was Brita Mnsdotter. In accordance with the patronymic namingsystem used prior to 1900 in Sweden the sons of Per Jonasson took Persson(Pers son) as their last names and his daughters took Persdotter (Persdaughter) as their last names. The Americanization of Swedish names led medown many blind alleys when I first began researching the Peterson familyhistory. The family history data I had access to in the 1990s listed Per and Britaby their Americanized names as Peter Johnson and Mary Munson.

As you may have noticed if you looked at the partial image of the Swedish

Church record in the appendix, Johan had a number of siblings in 1850. Theywere twins Maja (Maria) and Brita (Mary) born in 1836, Johannes born in 1839,Lars Petter born in 1842, and Anna Christina born in 1845. Johans arrival in1848 was followed by the birth of Johanna in 1851, Karl August in 1852, JohannaSofia in 1855, Per Alford in 1859 and Inga Carlotta in 1861.

In various records dated through 1869, Johans occupation is listed as farmer (bonde). The family moved a number of times as Johan was growing up, stayingin Skrstad parish. In 1869 Johan joined thousands of other Swedes whoemigrated to the United States. Swedish emigration records show that Johan leftEsbjrnarp on March 19, 1869, bound for America. The American West 5 website

has this to say about the Swedish migration to the United States:

The Swedish mass emigration would not have been possible withoutthe Swedish railroads and the organized passenger traffic over theAtlantic. At this time no Swedish line carried passengers directlyfrom Gothenburg [Sweden] to New York. The Swedes therefore hadto use British or German ships. The emigrant route started with thetrain ride to the big port of Gothenburg, where the complete passage,such as Gothenburg-Chicago, of the British Wilson Line, brought theemigrants to Hull in England. A train took them across the country toLiverpool or Glasgow; from there the Inman Line or some othercompany's ships sailed them to New York. The whole voyageGothenburg-New York need not take more than three weeks in 1870.

3 Map of Katteberg (now Lycks) 4 Swedish Church records for Katteberg 1847 1850 listing son Johan Magnus born 7/6 1848. 5 The American West


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In America

There is some evidence that Johan came to New York from Liverpool on the ship

City of Brooklyn6

, owned in 1869 by the Inman Line. The passenger manifestfor the City of Brooklyn shows one John Person, age 21, a male from Sweden,arriving in New York on April 12, 1869, from Liverpool. The name, age, and dateof arrival are a good fit for Johan Magnus Persson who was just two monthsshort of age 21 in April 1869 and had departed Sweden three weeks prior onMarch 19, 1869.

I cannot say with certainty that John entered the United States at the port of NewYork. And if he did, I know virtually nothing about how he came to be inSagetown (Gladstone), Illinois in 1870. My mother, Neola Peterson, remembershearing that he was in or near Chicago for a time and there learned to speak

English from the lady who employed him. It is a certainty that he was living inSagetown when the 1870 federal census was conducted. Census records 7 dated September 2, 1870 show John Peterson living in the town of Lynn, Illinois,Sagetown post office. He was apparently a boarder in the home of JohnJonasquist (or Jungquist), a quarryman, along with seven other quarrymen withScandinavian surnames.

At this point there is a 12 year hole in the history of John Morris Peterson as Iknow it. Along this 12 year path, John made his way from Sagetown to somepoint further south in Henderson County, probably Olena, where Minnie Putneywas living in 1880 8.

6 City of Brooklyn Passenger Manifest 7 John Peterson - 1870 Census of the United States 8 Minnie Putney 1880 Federal Census


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In Canada

Ira Putney, Jr. was the natural son of James H. Brown and Elizabeth Copp, born

in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, on June 16, 1840. Some think his name mayhave originally been Garrison Brown. By the time of the 1850 census he wasliving in the household of his uncle, Joshua Copp, a merchant in Burlington,Iowa, along with his uncle and aunt, Ira and Sarah Copp Putney, who hadbecome his guardians. Sarah Copp Putney was the sister of his birth mother Elizabeth Copp Brown. By all accounts Ira and Sarah, having no children of their own, took their nephew to raise as their own son although he was apparentlynever legally adopted. When Ira Jr. finished his studies in the Burlington schoolsin 1853 the family moved to Olena where father and son opened a dry goodsstore called Putney & Son.

Five years later, at the age of 18 years, Ira Jr. married Azubah Ann Haislett whowas also 18 years of age. Ira Turton and Libbie Vie were born to the couplebefore Ira enlisted in the Grand Army of the Republic in 1861. Minnie Alace andher younger siblings were born after his return from the Civil War in 1864.

Minnie Alace Putney was born June 18, 1866 in Olena, Illinois. Her father wasIra Putney, Jr. and her mother was Azubah Ann Haislett. Minnie was the third of six children. Before her came Ira Turton in 1859 and Libbie Vie in 1860.Following her were Harry in 1868, Bert Brown in 1871 and Gear Maxwell in about1874.


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Our Peterson Family

Our Peterson family began with the marriage of John Morris Peterson and MinnieAlace Putney on about the 4 th of July, 1882, in Keithsburg, Illinois. I am curious

as to why the marriage took place in Keithsburg, if it did. The marriage licensewas issued in Henderson County. The only other Keithsburg connection I knowabout is Tom and Gladys Hufnagel Putney living in Keithsburg at the time of the1930 census.

A marriage license 9 was issued to John M Peterson and Minnie Alice Putney bythe state of Illinois, Henderson County, in 1881. The marriage date recordedwas July 4 th of that year. My guess is that the newlyweds took up housekeepingin Olena, but that is only a guess. The information I have about the expansion of their family does contain a few know facts. I have no doubt there are errors andomissions as well. If you notice any of the latter and have the time I would be

grateful to receive your corrections. The following is a chronological list of Johnand Minnie Petersons children who were: Eleanor Ann, John Major, IraBrown, Flora Pearl, Gear E., Eva Agnes, Marie Alice, Thelma Dongola , andLois Dorothy .

1. Eleanor Ann Peterson was born on 13 APR 1882 in Henderson County,IL and died in Oct 1962, at age 77. She was always known as Nell or Nellie, Aunt Nell in my memory.

2. John Major Peterson was born in Aug 1883 in Stronghurst, IL and died inNov 1941 in Stronghurst, IL, at age 57. My grandpa Peterson (Ira) always

referred to him as Joke.

3. Ira Brown Peterson was my grandfather; born on 17 Aug 1886 in Olena,IL, died on 04 Oct 1968 in Burlington, IA, at age 82, and is buried in theOlena Cemetery. Most folks called him Ike.

4. Flora Pearl Peterson was born on 02 Dec 1889 in Olena, IL, died on 17Sep 1975 in Monmouth, IL, at age 85, and was buried in Oquawka, IL. If Ihave the family nicknames correct, she was known as Peck.

5. Gear E. Peterson was born on 22 Jan 1893 in Olena, IL and died on 08

Jan 1961 in Stronghurst, IL, at age 67. In line with what seems to be afamily tradition, Gear was nicknamed Bink.

6. Eva Agnes Peterson was born on 06 Feb 1897 in Stronghurst, IL anddied in Mar 1981 in Burlington, IA, at age 84. Her nickname was Rache.

9 John Peterson and Minnie Putney Marriage Record


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Our Peterson Family

7. Marie Alice Peterson was born on 01 Oct 1898 in Henderson County, IL

and died on 08 Aug 1978 in Olena, IL, at age 79. She must have had anickname, but I dont know what it was.

8. Thelma Dongola Peterson was born on 29 Nov 1901 in Olena, IL, diedon 09 Nov 1995 in Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, at age 93, and is buried inMonmouth, IL. Finally, a logical nickname, Pete!

9. Lois Dorothy Peterson was born on 13 Nov 1904 in Olena, IL and diedon 21 Feb 1989 in Henderson County, IL, at age 84. Lois was Bob.

To be continued . . .


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A Digression (To the Future)

In late May of 2004 I received an email from Inger Johansson who is the greatgranddaughter of John Morris Petersons sister Maria (Maja). Among other things, she mentioned that John and Marias sister Anna (Johanna) Sofia

emigrated to the United States and was living in Rock Island, Illinois in 1887. Ihad previously heard that Anna Sofia left Sweden for the US in 1885, but wassurprised to hear that she was living within 60 miles of her brother John.

In June of 2004 I traveled to Stronghurst, Illinois, to visit my mother Neola andattend the annual Peterson family reunion. I asked Mom if she had ever heardmention of Johns sister in Rock Island and she had not. The day before thereunion Mom and I paid a visit to Mamie Peterson Philbrick and her daughter Joyce Spear in Stronghurst. We enjoyed a delightful couple of hours with themdiscussing family history for the most part. Imagine our surprise when Mamiementioned her grandfathers sister in Rock Island and proceeded with the

following account (as best I recall):

Johns sister lived near Rock Island where she worked as aseamstress. John paid her a visit and while there she asked him tohelp her in some way by putting on a dress she was making. Of coursehe declined, but she insisted and talked him into putting on the dress.He was so embarrassed by the ordeal that he vowed never to visit heragain.

At the reunion there was, of course, a good deal of family history beingdiscussed. Jack Olson, Flora Peterson Olsons grandson had heard a variationof the dress story from her.

Inger and her husband Karl are taking care of their grandchildren during thesummer. She plans to do some research when the grandchildren go back toschool in hopes of uncovering further details of Annas life in the US.

And now, back to the 19 th century where information provided by Mamie andJack will be used to fill in some of the blanks that previously existed in the Johnand Minnie story. Mamie has kindly recounted some of her recollections of Johnand Minnie and Joyce has documented them. See the appendix to thisdocument for the full text of Mamies recollections. 10

10 Mamie Peterson Philbrick's Recollections


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Appendix

Swedish Church records for Katteberg 1847 1850 listing son Johan Magnus born 7/6 1848.


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Appendix

Map showing Katteberg (now Lycks)


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Appendix

Map of Jnkpings Ln (County)


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Appendix

Probably a page from a Putney Family Bible.


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Appendix

City of Brooklyn Passenger Manifest

Name: John PersonArrival Date: 12 Apr 1869Age: 21Gender: MalePort of Departure: Liverpool, EnglandDestination: United States of AmericaPlace of Origin: SwedenShip Name: City Of BrooklynPort of Arrival: New York Line: 26Microfilm Roll: 308List Number: 324

The City of Brooklyn was a 2,911 gross ton ship, length 354.4ft x beam 42.5ft, clipper stem, one funnel, three masts (rigged for sail), iron hull, single screw and a speed of 13

knots. Built by Tod & McGregor, Glasgow, she was launched as the CITY OFBROOKLYN in Dec.1868 for the Inman Line .


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Appendix

1870 Federal United States Census


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Appendix

Minnie Putney 1880 Federal Census


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Appendix

Back to Illinois Statewide Marriage Index Search Page

Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 17631900

Click here for information about how to obtain copies of original marriage records.

Groom Bride Date Vol./Page License No. County

PETERSON, JOHN M PUTNEY, MINNIE ALICE 07/04/1881 00C/0021 HENDERSON


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Appendix

Mamie Peterson Philbricks Recollections

Putney Peterson Trivia From Mamie Peterson Philbrick, 6/2004

John Morris Peterson was born in Jnkping, Sweden, the son of Peter Johnson and MaryMunson, 6-1848.

Sweden was an economically depressed country, barely enough to eat. John )my Grandfather)relates when a wooden shoe split in the cold icy weather it was nailed back together because therewas no money to buy shoes.

As a young man he was working in a ship yard (another version, wagon factory) when he stowedaway on a ship sailing for America. America represented freedom and a land of plenty.

When he arrived in America he was asked his name. Reply John. Fathers name reply Peter, soin America he because John Peterson.

In the new world employment was available for strong young men. He worked on streets, alsohelped build the streets of Chicago and Peoria.

From there he came to Henderson County where he worked for Ira Putney Jr. who was roadcommissioner of that area. He also did farm work for Ira Putney Jr., and stayed in their home ashired help usually did.

There he met their daughter Minnie, fell in love and asked for her hand in marriage. The parentsobjected because of the age difference. She was age 16, he in his 30s. She threatened to run awayfrom home if not allowed to marry John, so the parents relented.

John M. Peterson and Minnie Putney were married in Keithsburg, Ill., July 4, 1882. They begantheir married life in a farm house halfway between Olena and Hopper. Here they raised their ninechildren, Nell, John (Joker) Flora (Peck), Gear (my Dad), Eva ( Rach ), Marie (Fan), Ira (Ike),Thelma (Pete) and Lois (Bob).

John was a shrewd businessman and acquired more acreage and one other farmstead. Ike and Idalived there after their marriage. Ira always helped with the farming, the other two boys left for Military Service at the age they could have been help to him. Joker had a legitimate enlistment.When he came home his stories of the world intrigued Gear (Dad) age 18 and a neighbor CharlieHicks, age 18. They ran away from home to enlist in the Army, declared they were orphans andask for foreign services together. They served three years in the Philippine Islands and were lifelong friends.

When Gear and Mamie Dowell Peterson were married Jan. 26, 1916, John and Minnie gave them12 acres, mostly timber, East of Hopper. They built a home and raised six children, Raymond,Mamie (Sissy), Martha (Jack), Harold, Bonnie and Gear (Skeeter). This house burned in 1919.


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Appendix


They stayed with John and Minnie while rebuilding on the same site. Two hears later John and

Minnies large farm house burned. They also rebuilt on the same site. This house was 5rooms, one story, only two girls were still at home.

The summer of 1934 I stayed with John and Minnie to care for my Grandmother Minnie,who was suffering from high blood pressure and mini strokes. She would be bedfast for short periods of time.

After dinner clean up was finished she would ask me to look at the thermometer. Manydays it registered 110 on the North side of the house in the shade. Men returned to thefield to work, many in the area died of heat stroke. The heat cycle continued through1937, but for shorter durations.

In the afternoon Minnie would read her Bible. John didnt approve of her religiouscommitment, but she always took the children to Church and Sunday School at the OlenaMethodist Church. John would contribute financially to the Church, but never attendedservices.

Minnie was average height and blocky build in her younger years, overweight but notobese. She would tell me about two Sisters (no names) who weighed 300 lbs. and couldfloat like corks. They enjoyed floating in the creek and reading. Nowhere in myinformation is mentioned any girls except Minnie and Libby. Maybe these were notnatural Sisters maybe cousins. Ira Putney Jr. had many sisters, two younger then hewas.

When I was a child of age 4 or 5 Gear and Mammies (my parents) farmed and lived in anarea near Minnies two Brothers called Brush and Jug. Not certain who was Bert and whowas Harry. I remember them as very large.

Dad was a medium size, muscular build, probably explains why I noticed their size. Daddidnt drink and My Mom wouldnt have tolerated anyone else drinking at our home.Their nick names make me wonder, Mom disliked them for some reason.

Gear Putney was more like Minnie, except heavier but not obese. He was bald on the topand both he and Minnie had white hair since I can remember them.

The Putney men (Bert and Harry) were always volunteers when there was a war. Theyleft wife and family behind and went to battle. Florence supported their families by doinglaundry on a wash board. No Government considerations at that time.

Minnies Father, Ira Putney Jr. joined the Union Army Oct 3, 1861. Owing to his greatsize and weight he was unfit for marching in the ranks, and was assigned to the


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Appendix


commissary department. In this department he preformed exceptionally effective service,

and usually shared the dangers and hardships of Army life. After three years of Army lifehe was mustered out in 1864 at East Point, Ga.

Two years previously he had married Aruba Hazlet.

Because of this article I feel the size of the Putneys was inherited from the Browns or IraJr. After service Ira Jr. returned to Olena to his wife and be in business with his Father,Ira Sr. He had at various times been Postmaster.

Ira Putney Sr. was Postmaster until his death April 25, 1872.

You wondered about the beginning of Gear and Agnes communication not a clue fromhere. My query is when did he become a Railroad employee? In the hotel he was said to

be a presiding genius of the dining room.

As a Railroad employee was he a waiter or possibly doing book work. He did not havethe appearance of a laborer.

They lived in Kansas City in a rail coach home, furnished by the Railroad.

Minnie visited them when little Gear was quite small, and considered their home

luxurious. Each summer Gear and Agnes visited in Illinois. They always brought a gift toMinnie. One year a long strand of jet beads. Another year a rope of amber beads. Onetime beautiful fire opal earrings. Minnie always opened the drawer and showed the

jewelry to me when I cleaned the bedroom.

One year they gave her a set of footed goblets that stood on the top cupboard shelf. Theywere on the top shelf of Thelma and Elmer Carlsons china cabinet when they retired toSenior housing in Monmouth.

Much of the life of Gear and Agnes remains a mystery.

My ramblings are not meant to be a permanent part of your records. Glean any usefulinformation and delete the rest.

If Joyce and I can contribute any missing link, please let us know.

Peterson Family History

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