Obit of Peter W. ESSER (b.1832 d.1920), Sibley Co., MN ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Dwight Grabitske ========================================================================= Arlington Enterprise Thursday 26 February 1920 P. W. Esser -- Pioneer -- Expires The news of the death of Peter W. Esser, which occurred Monday evening at 7 o’clock, was accepted by the people of Arlington and vicinity with an intense feeling of sorrow. His passing was spoke of by young and old with profound respect and his past life reviewed by those who knew him best with sincerest admiration. Mr. Esser passed away just one day after his birthday, having passed his 88th milestone on February 22nd. His death followed a gradual decline in health since last fall and was therefore not unexpected. Knowing himself that he was soon to succumb to the infirmities of old age the venerable old gentleman awaited his end with great patience and fortitude. Mr. Esser was one of the pioneers of Sibley County and had the distinction of being the oldest active fire chief in the state. he was chief of the Arlington Fire Department for many years. The fuenral will be held today (Thursday) with services at St. Mary’s church at 10 o’clock A.M. A complete obituary will be published next week. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Arlington Enterprise Thursday 4 March 1920 Obituary of P. W. Esser The death of Peter W. Esser, as previously stated in the Enterprise, occurred at his home in this village Monday evening, Feb. 23, at 7 o’clock. He died at the age of 88 years and 1 day, succumbing to old age. Captain P. W. Esser was born at Widdenhofen, Province Rhein, Prussia, Germany Feb. 22nd, 1832. He was a soldier with the rank of captain in the Flying Artillery at Fort Wesel on the Rhine. He was married to Maria Anna Duester on Nov. 21st, 1853 and they came to America in December 1854. They aspnt four years at Freeport, Ill., and came to Minnesota in 1858. They settled on a farm in Green Isle township. In 1862, during the Civil War, he was appointed as Enrolling Officer for this district, and in 1863 he was made a Captain of the militia by Governor Swift and Adjutant General Malmross. The family came to Arlington to reside in the year 1883. Mr. Esser establishing the hotel business which is now conducted by his son Leonard. His beloved wife passed away in 1889, 31 years ago. Eleven children were born to them, five of whom are living, one son and four daughters, viz: Leonard of Arlington; Mrs. Sophia Kauffmann of Green Isle twp; Mrs. Margareth Wisdorf of St. Paul; Mrs. Gertrude Schlesser, of Bruh, Wis.; Mrs. Mary Warnecke of St. Paul. Mr. Esser served as Justice of the Peace in this village for a period of 24 years and held the office of Assessor for 26 years. At the time of his death he was Chief of the Arlington Fire Department which office he held for 34 years, being the oldest fire chief in the state. He was a man who exemplified in every way the life of a good Christian and citizen. His whole life was devoted to a large extent in serving his fellow man. The remains were laid to rest in St. Mary’s cemetery Thursday morning, services being conducted aat the church at 10 o’clock by Fr. Doring. The firemen attended in a body.