A Few Old Photos

 Hi Everyone,

It seems as if most of my time sitting at the computer involves going through documents and photos that I've inherited from my mom. Sadly, many are not labeled, but those that are include some great looks at our ancestors in their early days in Iowa. Hope you enjoy the following:

This photo of retired first-generation Swedes living in Stratford was taken in 1909. While I don't know many of these names, I recognize the names Peterson, Westrum, Otto Quick, and Nils Teander. And, of course, my direct-line ancestor, A. G. Barquist in the middle of the front row. A. G. (Anders Gustaf) Barquist was my great-great grandmother's (Maria Barquist Olofson) brother. A.G. came to the United States with his family in 1857. I would imagine that most of the men pictured above came during that same time. 

The photo above is Anna Charlotta Lundblad and her husband August William Peterson, taken when they married in 1870 in Boone County. Anna is my 1st cousin, 3 x removed, the niece of Gus and Katerina (Lundblad) Linn. 

Anna came with her family in 1857, when she was just 7 years old. She and A. William Peterson had 8 children. I'm including the obit for William Peterson to demonstrate how very flowery and positive obituaries of the time were:

August W. Peterson

Boone County Democrat

July 2, 1909

At the giant oaks of ten centuries fall before the blow of the axman, so the old time honored citizen falls before the great enemy, death. Again Pilot Mound is shrouded in mourning, for one of its old time citizens and honored residents of Boone County answered the last roll call when on the 22nd of June William August Peterson passed to his reward. He was born in Sweden July 1, 1840. At the age of nine years his parents came to America. While traveling overland to Iowa his father was drowned in the Illinois River. The mother and children came on to Boone County and settled near Madrid, where they resided for four years and then removed to Webster County and built herself a home near the Des Moines River, where William Peterson grew to manhood. In 1864 he heard the bugle call and enlisted in Company H, 15th Iowa regiment. He served his country faithfully and received an honorable discharge on the 2nd of June, 1865, and returned home from the army. He formed the acquaintance of Miss Charlottte Lundblad and was united in marriage with her on Jan. 12, 1870. The following year they moved onto a farm north of Pilot Mound, where they lived and labored until about four years ago, when they moved to Pilot Mound and made their home here until he was called home to rest.

To this happy union eight children were born, of whom seven survive. One son, Daniel, died when three years old. He is survived by his widow, two sons, A. L. Peterson, of Madrid, and G. V. Peterson of Pilot Mound; and five daughters, Mrs. Minnie Smith, Mrs. A. L. Starks, Mrs. Dari Owen and Miss Bessie Peterson, all of Pilot Mound, and Mrs. O. E. Huglin, of Odebolt, one brother, two sisters and a host of relatives and admiring friends. He was a member of Oak Lodge No. 531, A. F. and A. M., Dayton, Iowa, and of Pilot Mound Lodge No. 536, I. O. O. F., both of which orders participated in the funeral services which were conducted Thursday afternoon by Rev. W. M. Leiser and the remains laid to rest in the Pilot Mound Cemetery to await the judgment day. Mr. Peterson was an honored citizen and esteemed neighbor, whose exeplary and unselfish life won the respect and love of all who formed his acuaintance.

Children: August Lee, Minnie Augusta, Victor Gilbert, Daniel, Callie Matilda, Lottie J., Hattie Lavina, and Bessie Florence.

Note: An amazing amount of information for the family genealogist to have, don't you think?

And finally, I wanted to share a photo of Pete Linn, my grandfather, walking behind a horse with a very rudimentary plow. I can't quite date this picture and wonder why he wasn't using a tractor as it appears to have been taken in the 1940's. But regardless, my eyes got wide and a bit teary when I realized that I have this plow. It had been in my mother's care, usually in the garage, for many, many years. And when my siblings and I were going through mom's storage unit a couple of years ago, I asked to take this, not really knowing which side of our family it belonged to. Now I know. I'm so happy to have this photo to go with it. The plow is very rusty and in need of some loving restoration, but I'll get there. It means alot to me to have this.

Please don't throw out those old family photos. Just look at the treasure trove of information and history there is in just these 3 photos.