Outagamie County, WI - Obituary of Andrew PETERSON, 1839 - 1900

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SUBJECT: Andrew PETERSON, 1839 - 1900
SUBMITTER: W. David Samuelsen
EMAIL: 
DATE: Jan 08, 1999
SURNAMES: PETERSON, ATWATER
Shiocton News; Shiocton, WI; 3 Aug 1900

ENDED HIS LIFE

Andrew Peterson of Ellington Ends His Life by Shooting Himself Through
the Head with a Shotgun. He was Despondent. A Wealthy Farmer.

Andrew Peterson, a wealthy farmer in the town of Ellington took his own
life early Tuesday by shooting himself in the brain with a shotgun.

Mr. Peterson had not been feeling well for several weeks and had complained
considerable of severe pains in the head. He had always seemed in his right
mind, through at times he seemed despondent and mentioned once or twice
that when he got so he was unable to help do the milking he might as well
shoot himself. He had not been feeling as well as usual for a few days
past and Tuesday morning he did not think he would get up. A little later
he changed his mind and while dressing repeat the remark above quoted.
He went to the barn and did a few light chores, then went to the granery,
secured the gun and discharged both barrels point blank into his forehead
blowing the top of his head completely off.

There seems to be no real reason for his rash act. He was entirely out
of debt, had a large valuable farm, well stocked, had good crops and was
making money. When in good health he was a very jovial man and the threats
that he made in regard to shooting himself were first made in a joking
way and never seriously considered by his family. He was kind hearted and
well liked by his neighbors and all who knew him.

Andrew Peterson was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 1st, 1839. When he
attained his majority he enlisted in the Danish army and served three years
in Prussian-Danish war. He was taken prisoner and spent nine months in
Prussian prisons. He came to the United States in 1864 and with a party
of his countrymen, settled in Pine River, Waushara county. In 1870 he came
to this vicinity and in 1875 he was married to Mary L. Atwater. Eight children
were born to them, three of whom died in infancy. The five living children
are Deward, Verna, Nathan, Andrew and Jewers Owen. The funeral was held
from the family residence Wednesday afternoon Rev. Philo Hitchcock officating.
It was one of the largest funerals ever held in that vicinity showing the
universal respect and esteem in which he was held by his neighbors. He
was laid to rest in the Rexford cemetery.

The bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community in their
sad affliction.

Among those who attended funeral away were Mrs. T. F. Atwater and Mr. and
Mrs. R. W. Spaulding of Stinson, L. Daniels of Cicero, Mr. and Mrs. Atwater
of Black Creek.