----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 04/21/1927

Peterson, Neils P. (10 JUN 1840 - 14 Apr 1927)

Neils Peter Peterson, a retired pioneer businessman of our city (Colby, Wis.), was called to the great beyond Thursday, April 14, 1927, old age being the cause of his demise. Funeral services were held from the home, where Rev. Hanscom officiated, after which Colby Lodge F. & A. M. took charge. Interment was made in the Colby Cemetery.

Mr. Peterson was born in Denmark on June 10, 1840. It was there that he grew to manhood, learned the blacksmith's trade, served in the Danish Navy during the war in 1864 with Germany and Austria, and worked for a time as foreman at a factory belonging to an uncle. It was in 1867 that he came to America and Wisconsin, first locating at Waupaca. Later he lived at Wausau, and it was from there that he came to Colby in the year 1872. In the following year he opened a general blacksmith shop, which grew into a sleigh and wagon making establishment. A planing and grist mill was run in connection. This business occupied his time until about 1900. He then retired to a little farm near the north city limits, where he lived twenty years. He spent his last years at his home in the city.

Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Margrite Gunderson of Waupaca in 1872. To this union five children were born, of who only one survived him, N. G. Peterson of Abbotsford. Mrs. Margrite Peterson preceded her husband in death by about thirty years. In 1898, Mr. Peterson was again married, this time to Miss Marthea Larson of Kasson, Minn. One child was born to this union.

His departure is mourned by his widow, six grandchildren and N. G. Peterson of Abbotsford, and J. M. Peterson of Colby, and a sister in Denmark.

The deceased held several town and city offices during his active life and was a member of the first high school board of Colby, and was instrumental in getting the high school started in Colby. He was a member of the Colby Lodge F. & A. M. and Odd Fellow Lodge of Colby for over thirty-five years. He lived a pure, simple and unassuming life, doing his duty as he saw it. He was respected by all who knew him. Thus we lost another one of those sturdy pioneers who came to our section of the country when it was a virgin forest and helped to make our community what it is.

Mr. and Mrs. Niels Lee of Dexter, Minn., and Miss Julia Brakke were here to attend the funeral. Mrs. Lee is Mrs. Peterson's sister and Julia Brakke is a niece.