August Peterson (1873 - 1936)

Born 23 Nov 1873 in Sauk Centre, Stearns, Minnesota, United States

Husband of Frances (Hoffman) Peterson — married 1 Oct 1902 in Sauk Centre, Stearns, Minnesota, United States

Descendants

Died 6 Apr 1936 at age 62 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lil Peterson [send private message]

Biography

August Peterson's birth record was "unavailable" or unlisted until I was able to get the film (# 1301458) containing Sauk Centre births registered in 1873. There he was listed as August Anderson. Obviously the newly immigrated father had listed his new son born to himself and Elna Anderson - unaware that "in America women take their husbands names". I am very sure this is the right birth - name, date and parents all check out. The following comes partly from a story written for me by Muriel Larkey Hajek, cousin to August. After his father died, August moved from the farm with his mother and sisters to Sauk Centre,MN. He worked at a meat market and learned to cut and market meat - this would serve him well after he homesteaded in Canada as August always ran a large beef ring (farmers banded together, each supplying a good beef or two. They slaughtered only one or two animals at a time so they could always have fresh meat - for "free"). Muriel says " August managed it and had a room where all the cuts of beef were ready once a week for each. The people were rotated so the cuts were fair to each." He also worked in a paint, wallpaper and yardage store, Muriel says " My dad was very good with metal and wood but when it came to hanging wallpaper he would have nothing to do with it. Uncle August would come out and give mother a hand and we loved to see the change that it would make." In 1895, August, his mother and sisters moved to Ward County, MN where he ranched. I gather that the area was remote and unpopulated. There is a family story that he sheltered some of the Jesse James Gang at one time. Then in 1903 he moved to Canada with his brother-in-law George Larkey and a friend, Charlie Stuart ( and wives and kids). I have a certified copy of his homestead papers. He made his application in Feb 12, 1903. He was naturalized Feb 26, 1906 at Weyburn purchased W1/2 5- 8-14-W2nd. He applied for patent on SE1/4 18-7-16 W 2nd June 8, 1904. he had a house(14 x 22), Barn (28 x 40) and 2 frame granary. He had 6-9 horses, 15-50 cows and 7-14 pigs. George Larkey helped August bring his herd of cattle from the ranch in ND to Weyburn. They rode horseback for many days herding the cattle. Ione says that some years later his mother came and he had a one room house built for her near the house. She could not speak English but Stella learned to understand her Swedish and spent many hours with her. August continued to go across to the US with his cattle business. I have permit # 745386 to Leave Canada on or before the 25th of October, 1918 granted to August. He was to sell a car of cattle in Chicago. August was one of the first to grow corn and took several prizes in various Grain shows. He had a silo built by Grandpa Hoffman. In 1923 the Sask Department of Agriculture asked him to prepare a hundred ears of corn for inclusion in the exhibit at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park, London. The Department had Mr. Charnell take several pictures of the standing corn and a section of the field being harvested. August was always fond of dogs and ran several wolf hounds. Ione recalled "My earliest recollection of the farm was the innumerable wolf hounds at the door waiting for a handout ...the men would tell of their coyote hunting in the Big Muddy." Mel always said that the dray man in WO Mitchell's "Who Has Seen the Wind" is his father. August ran the dray in Weyburn for several years. They were charter members of Calvary Baptist Church and August played the euphonium in the Weyburn band. August was secretary-treasurer for the South Weyburn School for many years. He was an avid hunter. There are many photos of August taken hunting and fishing. He also used his hounds to help eradicate coyotes. Muriel says "As the years went by he had several hunting trips to moose country in northern Saskatchewan and the way I recall hearing it he went with 3 or 4 others but only he and one other was a good hunter and the others had booze and stayed in the cabin but all always went home with game. It was a good deal as the real hunters got a lot of hunting ... He gave us moose steak and also goose from the marsh in the fall. But the coyote hunting was another thing to be sure. I am surprised if your Dad did not tell you about the hunting hounds they had...I do not know how many, but they were big and perhaps he wore out his welcome in his area because he loved to come out to our area( Trossachs) as there were fewer pasture fences. These big hounds were in a compartment on the back of the sleigh or wagon and up on the front seat with him was a small black dog who would spot the coyote. As soon as she jumped off the seat and set course, Uncle would let the trap door open and out would tumble these hounds and locate where she was headed. Then the little dog would come back to the rig and Uncle would take off after them. He would try to get in on the kill as he did not want the coyote to be torn to pieces by the hounds. I am sure he did this kind of hunting mainly for fun but there was some price for the pelt and a bounty as the coyote was a pest. The kids all attended South Weyburn School. August was secretary-treasurer for many years and took an active interest in the upkeep of the school, as well as the selection of excellent teachers with other members of the school board. The school was not just an education centre but was the meeting place for all social events as well. You can be sure your grandfather was a good and interesting man. He had many friends and was always willing to do right. As far as I know he never had anything to do with tobacco or booze... he was always a Director on the Weyburn Fair board. According to Ione " He spent days travelling into Montana and ND nailing up posters. He always looked after the Farm Boys and Girls Camp and helped with the stock entries as well." "At the fair he wore a big "Director" button with pride and came around to make all welcome. he and my Dad would see to it that all the relatives and our friends got our share of rides on the ferris wheel and merry-go-round." At one time August took an interest in Percheron horses. He went to Iowa to purchase a team of mares. They were a pair of greys. They were lovely creatures and took many ribbons at the exhibition. The April 9, Weyburn Review wrote on his death " ...Rev T.C. Douglas will officiate...The pall bearers will be T.A. Johnston, H.A. Craig, H.D. Leavens, F. Heard, H.A. Staveley, and P.J. Russell...The death of Mr. Peterson removes a prominent figure in the agricultural life of Weyburn district. He had operated his up-to-date farm a few miles southeast of Weyburn for upwards of thirty years...He homesteaded south of Trossachs and later purchased the farm close to Weyburn which he has since operated. He was a firm believer in mixed farming...A charter member of the Weyburn Agricultural Society, Mr Peterson was always actively interested in its affairs. He served the society as president for three years and as a director for more than thirty years. He was at one time a Director of the Regina Agriculture Society. He had been an Odd fellow since 1894, having joined the Order in Sauk Centre, MN. He was presented the orders 25-year veterans pin fifteen years ago. Prior to coming to Weyburn Mr Peterson was engaged as a clerk in a general store in Sauk Centre for seven years following which he ranched in North Dakota for six years...[He] was fond of big game hunting in his young days in Minnesota. He did not lose his love for the chase...on at least 8 occasions joined hunting parties from Weyburn to the Prairie River district in quest of deer and moose." ^[1] LDS film 1301458 Sauk Center births 1873

Sources

1. ↑ http://person.ancestry.com/tree/26688257/person/1899734976/facts

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64612508

This person is fully sourced on Ancestry profile on Tree Lil's Lines - managed by lilyione. http://person.ancestry.com/tree/26688257/person/1899734976/facts

Robert Grow Family History, YI.BD*