Grand Township Pioneer Passes Away At Arlington

Peter Morgensen was born in Emborg, Denmark, April 5, 1849, and passed away at his home in Arlington, February 2nd, 1918. He united with the Lutheran Church at an early age and on March 21, 1875, was united in marriage to Anne Larsen in Omaha. To this union eight children were born, Morris and Martin of Stettler, Alberta, Canada, Mrs. Mary Rasmussen of Herman, Lawrence of Spokane Bridge, Wash., Mrs. Caroline Minkner of Byers, Colo., Mrs. Amelia Platz of Clay Center, Mrs. Lillian McConnell of Detroit, Mich., and Walter, who severed his business connection in Omaha to help care for his father in his last illness. All of the children, together with his life companion and one sister, Mrs. E. Ernsten, of Woodburn, Oregon, survive him.

Mr. Morgensen, as a young man in his native country, heard the call of the land of opportunity, America, and upon arriving, at New York took the advice of Horace Greely, “Go west young man, go west.” He came to Nebraska and for a time worked as a day laborer in Omaha and later as a farm hand in Washington County. After a short time, he decided to farm for himself, and in the early 70’s with scant equipment but willing hands of both himself and his estimable life partner he worked a rented farm near the Wm. Hovendick place in Grant Township. By untiring energy and the strictest economy he was soon able to make a payment and secure a piece of land of his own. This was gradually increased until he had 360 acres at the time he left the farm in 1902, when he moved to Arlington.

While in the Spiker neighborhood he was for many years on the School Board and always an ardent supporter on anything that was for the good of the community. These same traits followed him to Arlington, where he was a bank director, interested in the telephone company, and the Arlington Light, Heat and Power Co., In many matters of importance his advice was sought and his word was absolutely good.

In the passing of Mr. Morgensen, Grant Township, which still claims him as one of its pioneers, and Arlington, where he has more recently resided, loses a good citizen and neighbor, and the family loses a kind and loving husband and father, whose exemplary life is a rich jewel in the basket of memory’s lost.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.