Erastus Peter Peterson

  Notater:

Jeg fandt denne smukke fortælling, som jeg gerne vil dele med jer, her:
https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/5868880?p=12487501&returnLabel=Erastus%20Peter%20Peterson%20(KWCV-HJR)&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.familysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2Fmemories%2FKWCV-HJR

History of Erastus Peter Peterson
(This was written by Conrad Erastus Peterson; Son of Erastus and Mary, 1946)

In a far and distant country far beyond the rolling seas, in the beautiful land of Denmark, the missionaries were preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Among their converts were Niels Peter Peterson and Annie Christine Peterson who embraced the gospel and came to Utah with their parents who listened to that still small voice that prompted them to come to the valleys and mountains where the Gospel had been restored with all its keys and blessings. The emigrants came by ships driven by the winds. It took from seven to ten weeks to cross the mighty ocean. These emigrants landed in New York and then traveled as far west as Missouri by train. From that point they traveled by wagon with either oxen or horses to bring them to the Valleys and Mountains. The trip across the plains was long and slow but with the faith and hope of reaching the Land of Promise they made it a trip of pleasure and rejoicing, as they knew that many blessings awaited them in Utah. As a means of comfort and entertainment, the Saints would sing the songs of Zion and dance in the evening by the camp fire. At night the howl of the wolf and the haunting cry of the Indians often disturbed their slumber, but the hand of providence brought them safely through all danger.

The Peterson families arrived safely in the Great Salt Lake Valley and there was rejoicing as they shed tears of joy at meeting their Brothers and Sisters in the Church. Niels Peter and Annie Christine met in Salt Lake City and later came to Ephraim when the Church Authorities asked for volunteers to settle in Sanpete Valley. They arrived in Ephraim in 1861. After a courtship of several months Niels and Annie were married in the old Ephraim Fort on December 24, 1862. They immediately acquired a small lot and erected a stone house with a straw and mud roof. It was just a humble one room house, very small, but it was more than a house; it was home where faith and love was rich in abundance. Although poor in material things, they were rich spiritually. Annie always kept the home neat and clean and as time went on Niels acquired a few pieces of furniture and made some himself.

On December 18, 1863, their first son was born in this little one room house. They named him Erastus Peter Peterson. In his youth he was taught the Gospel of Christ in their home by his Mother and Father and attended Sunday school in accordance with their wishes. When he was twelve years of age he was ordained a Deacon in the Church and advanced in the Priesthood as he grew older. Erastus went to school in a little old school house and there learned to read and write. His education was limited however as he had to work in the fields to help father Peterson support the family. By the time Erastus was twenty years of age his father and mother had been blessed with six sons and four daughters so Erastus was busy helping his father farm in order to supply food and clothing for the large family.

In 1886 Erastus met Mary Jensen, daughter of Thomas C. Jensen, who had also emigrated from Denmark with his family when Mary was about ten years old. Thomas was miller by trade and had located in Ephraim where he built one of the first flour mills in that city. Erastus courted Mary for about two years before he could get courage to ask her to become his bride. I suppose the reason Erastus insisted on marrying her was because he could always rely of getting a sack of flour from his Father-in-law. Well, he finally got her to say yes in May 1888, so they were married in the Manti Temple on July 25, 1888. They were married by Daniel H. Wells for time and eternity.

Erastus and Mary acquired a little home with rock walls and a dirt roof but they wanted to locate somewhere in a better farming community so in 1889 they decided to move south and settle in Redmond, Utah. The house which they acquired in Redmond was about the same type of construction as the one they sold in Ephraim. Incidentally, it was on the same lot where now stands the brick house they build in 1897. It took them several years to complete all the rooms. This was done as their family increased in size. When Erastus and Mary first moved to Redmond they bought ten acres of land in the South Field for $27.00 per acre. It was new land and therefore did not bring in enough to keep the wolf from the door so he farmed on shares, land belonging to Thomas Peterson. In order to make a few extra dollars, Erastus worked in the hay fields for some of the farmer who needed help. Most of this wild hay was White-Top and Mother Peterson would sit at night and pick out the white top crawlers out of her husband's underwear and socks so he could be more comfortable the next day. By saving every penny they managed to pay for their home and the ten acres of land, acquire a few head of stock, and buy a new wagon and mover.

In the course of time Erastus and Mary were blessed with three daughters; Rhoda, Iva, and Una; and five sons; Conrad, Niels, Adley, Gleave, and Ferry. Their home was a house of love and prayer where the spirit of the Gospel was always present and where the children were taught to love and obey the Lord. Mother always kept the house well in order and the cellar full of good things to eat such as fruit, jams, jellies, and pickles while Father always seen to it that there was plenty of flour, potatoes, and meat. Mother Peterson always kept busy making soap, raising little chicks, and in the evenings making quilts to keep her flock warm in the winter.

Father Peterson loved animals, particularly horses. He always wanted to have the best team of horses in the town and took great pride in seeing that they horses always held their heads high. At one time he took a fancy to mules much to the disgust of his good wife and children. He finally got the mule bug out of his system and went back to the horses. Yes, he was a great Dad. He loved sports especially foot races and horse races. Often he would leave the field when there was extra work to be done, hitch the horses to the buggy and drive miles to see some good races. He was a progressive farmer, always built good corrals and shots for his animals, and loved to ride a good wagon, mover, and self binder. Father Peterson along with Chas C. Nelson, Lewis Christensen, Lewis Peterson, Chas Jensen, and Peter Peterson bought the first thresher in Redmond. Erastus always measured the grain and took the toll in pay for the various threshing jobs. He always kept accurate records and was known for his honesty and integrity. Even after he had passed away, among his records and papers were many cancelled notes, receipts, documents, and records more than fifty years old. Mother Peterson would often chide him for keeping so many papers around the house but his reply was always that some day he may want to see them and they will come in handy. Yes it might be said that Father Peterson was a good historian.

As a civic leader Father Peterson always took an active part and promoted projects that were for the good and welfare of the community without getting them into too much debt. He was city Mayor, City Councilmen, acted on the school board for a number of years, City Treasurer, and was Justice of the Peace for 25 years. As Justice of the Peace he always meted justice to whosoever came within his court. Often rather than impose a fine he would give good council and advice.

As a church member he was always devout to this church and obeyed the call of duty and honored those over him in authority. He always respected the Sabbath Day and kept it holy. He often said that by working on the Sabbath Day you loose more than seven fold on Monday. He was Counselor to Bishop Martin Jensen in the Bishopric and held many other positions in the Ward which he filled with honor.

Erastus Peter Peterson passed on to his reward on December 31, 1943, at the age of 80 years and 13 days. At the time of his death he had 32 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was laid to rest in the Redmond Cemetery. He left with his posterity a grand heritage, not in material things but a life of honesty, love, charity, devotion, faith, and good works. All these in memory in left to his loved ones but still took them with him into eternity. He held the Holy Priesthood, which by his faithful living and covenants in the Temple of our God and his union with his beloved wife Mary and leaves his children born under the New and Everlasting Covenant. Father Peterson rests in peace his spirit having joined with those of his progenitors and loved one in the hereafter. So ends the earthly life of a good, kind, devoted, husband and father.

  Om Erastus

• Folketælling, 1900, USA, Utah. Sevier County, Redmond Town, 13
Erastus Peterson - 37 - Married i 11 år, Head, Farmer, født i Utah Dec 1863, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark
Mary Peterson - 29 - Married i 11 år, Wife, har født 4 børn, født i Denmark May 1871, kom hertil i 1877, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark
Mary R Peterson - 10 - Single, Datter, født i Utah Mar 1890, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Erastus C Peterson - 8 - Single, Søn, født i Utah Aug 1892, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Neils T Peterson - 4 - Single, Søn, født i Utah Feb 1896, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Iva Peterson - 2 - Single, Datter, født i Utah Jan 1898, forældre fra Utah og Denmark

• Folketælling, 1910, USA, Utah. Sevier County, Redmond Town, 78
Erastus P Peterson - 46 - Married 1 gang, i 18 år, Head, født i Utah 1864, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark
Mary Peterson - 38 - Married gift 1 gang i 18 år, Wife, mor til 8 børn hvoraf 8 lever, født i Denmark 1872, kom hertil i 1875 Denmark Denmark
Conrad E Peterson - 17 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1893, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Neils T Peterson - 14 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1896, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Iva Peterson -12 - Single, Datter, født i Utah 1898, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Adley E Peterson - 8 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1902, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Una Peterson - 4 - Single, Datter, født i Utah 1906, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Gleave Peterson Male 3 Single, Søn, født i Utah 1907, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Peterson - 0 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1910, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Thomas C Jensen - 76 - Widowed, Father-in-law, født i Denmark 1834, kom hertil i 1876, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark

• Folketælling, 1920, USA, Utah. Sevier County, Redmond Town, 60
Erastus Peterson - 56 - Married, Head, født i Utah 1864, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark
Mary Peterson - 48 - Married, Wife, født i Denmark 1872, kom hertil i 1877, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark
Adley Peterson - 18 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1902, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Una Peterson - 14 - Single, Datter, født i Utah 1906, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Gleave Peterson - 12 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1908, forældre fra Utah og Denmark
Ferry Peterson - 9 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1911, forældre fra Utah og Denmark

• Folketælling, 1930, USA, Utah. Sevier County, Redmond Town, 1
Erastus P Petersen - 66 - Married, Head, Retierd, født i Utah 1864, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark
Mary Petersen - 58 - Married, Wife, født i Denmark 1872, kom hertil i 1876, forældre fra Denmark og Denmark
Gleave Petersen - 23 - Single, Søn, født i Utah 1907, forældre fra Utah og Denmark

• Begravet, 1943, USA, Utah, Sevier, Redmond.
Farmer Erastus Peterson, 80 År, gift med Mary Peterson
død 31 Dec 1943 i Redmond

• Død, 1943, USA, Utah, Sevier, Redmond.

Erastus blev gift med Maren Jensen, datter af Thomas Christian Jensen Møllersvend og Ane Marie Jensdatter, den 25 Jul. 1888 i USA, Utah, Sanpete, Ephraim. (Maren Jensen blev født den 18 Maj 1872 i Budolfi sogn Ålborg, Fleskum herred, Ålborg amt, dåb den 10 Aug. 1873 i Budolfi sogn Ålborg, Fleskum herred, Ålborg amt, døde den 5 Maj 1948 i USA, Utah, Sevier, Redmond og blev begravet den 10 Maj 1948 i USA, Utah, Sevier, Redmond.)

  Om Erastus og Maren

• Viet, 1888, USA, Utah. Sanpete, Manti
Erastus Peter Peterson, født 18 December 1863 i Utah, Sanpete, Ephraim
Mary Jensen, født 18 Maj 1871 i Aalborg, Denmark
viet 25 Juli 1888

• Guldbryllup, 1938, USA, Utah, Sevier, Redmond. På familysearch ligger dette smukke guldbryllupsdigt:

Golden Wedding Memories
Erastus Peter Peterson and Mary (Maren) Jensen Peterson

Fifty Years ago, back in 1888,
Erastus met Mary, it seemed like fate.
She at her grandmothers in Ephraim did stay,
Erastus a tall handsome lad, across the way.

Friendship ripened to love by the light of the moon,
Mary was all Rass desired; he knew very soon.
She could do everything that to her lot befell,
Needle craft to cooking, and was beautiful as well.

When the last of the roses were in full bloom,
She promised to marry Erastus real soon.
There's one think I object, Rass, You are taller than I,
I must look up to you, she said rather shy.

He answered, "I really think that's very nice,
You look up for council; I'll look down for advice."
They agreed to bend just a little you see,
To make a happy marriage where both would agree.

On July 25th in the Manti Temple they wed,
For time and all eternity, this marriage read.
The words were repeated, "Will you honor and obey?"
She promised to be faithful, he would love her always.

They bought a home in Ephraim, lived there a year,
Then came back to Redmond, among friends they hold dear,
Erastus went farming and to feather their nest,
For soon their home by a boy was blessed.
The years rolled on swiftly with sunshine and rain,
Through sunshine or shadow they were always the same.
When it seemed the load was too much for the other,
They would cling close together; they were one with each other.

Toiling and saving they built a fine home,
It took ten years hard work, but it was their own.
Flowers to brighten, growing all around the door,
This was their haven, they couldn't ask for more.

The Lord blessed their home with a family of eight.
Five boys and three girls of highest rate.
They all try to comfort, cheer, and to love,
These parents so noble, God sent from above.

They always found time for Church work to do,
Mary was Relief Society President, worked as councilor too.
On the genealogical committee she worked faithfully.
And for many years a teacher in the Relief Society.

• Guldbryllup, 1938, USA, Utah, Sevier, Redmond. På familysearch ligger dette smukke guldbryllupsdigt:

Golden Wedding Memories
Erastus Peter Peterson and Mary (Maren) Jensen Peterson

Fifty Years ago, back in 1888,
Erastus met Mary, it seemed like fate.
She at her grandmothers in Ephraim did stay,
Erastus a tall handsome lad, across the way.

Friendship ripened to love by the light of the moon,
Mary was all Rass desired; he knew very soon.
She could do everything that to her lot befell,
Needle craft to cooking, and was beautiful as well.

When the last of the roses were in full bloom,
She promised to marry Erastus real soon.
There's one think I object, Rass, You are taller than I,
I must look up to you, she said rather shy.

He answered, "I really think that's very nice,
You look up for council; I'll look down for advice."
They agreed to bend just a little you see,
To make a happy marriage where both would agree.

On July 25th in the Manti Temple they wed,
For time and all eternity, this marriage read.
The words were repeated, "Will you honor and obey?"
She promised to be faithful, he would love her always.

They bought a home in Ephraim, lived there a year,
Then came back to Redmond, among friends they hold dear,
Erastus went farming and to feather their nest,
For soon their home by a boy was blessed.
The years rolled on swiftly with sunshine and rain,
Through sunshine or shadow they were always the same.
When it seemed the load was too much for the other,
They would cling close together; they were one with each other.

Toiling and saving they built a fine home,
It took ten years hard work, but it was their own.
Flowers to brighten, growing all around the door,
This was their haven, they couldn't ask for more.

The Lord blessed their home with a family of eight.
Five boys and three girls of highest rate.
They all try to comfort, cheer, and to love,
These parents so noble, God sent from above.

They always found time for Church work to do,
Mary was Relief Society President, worked as councilor too.
On the genealogical committee she worked faithfully.
And for many years a teacher in the Relief Society.