# 1 - - printed in Pilot-Tribune, April 13, 1933

ORUM PIONEER DROPS DEAD IN FARMYARD

RASMUS PETERSEN, 82, HAD LIVED IN COUNTY FOR 62 YEARS

A HEART ATTACK CAUSE OF DEATH

PROMINENT LANDOWNER HAD BEEN IN GOOD HEALTH AND ACTIVE RECENTLY; RITES HELD AT ROSE HILL CHURCH WEDNESDAY

Resident of Washington county since 1871 and one of the few remaining Danish settlers of the Orum vicinity who turned the first sod in what is now one of Nebraska’s most fertile agricultural regions, Rasmus Petersen, prominent pioneer, died suddenly Sunday afternoon, April 9, in the yard of his farm home as he was doing chores. Heart disease is believed to have been the cause of his death.

Born at Moen, Denmark, May 28, 1850, Mr. Petersen would have been 83 years old next month. Hale and hearty, he had been in excellent health and active recently and he had worked daily throughout the entire winter around the farm. His unexpected death came as a shock to members of his family and to his friends throughout the county.

As was the case with scores of pioneers of this county, Mr. Petersen, at the age of 20, heard from friends who had preceded him to America glowing reports of the richness of the agricultural region around Orum and came to this country, arriving in Washington county in the summer of 1871.

Without funds to start farming for himself, Mr. Petersen secured work as a farm hand and by his thrift, perseverance and industry soon had saved enough money to start farming operations for himself, securing a tract of land that remained in his possession until his death. Following the example of others in his neighborhood, he added to his holdings until he became one of the most substantial farmers in his neighborhood.

Mr. Petersen was first married in 1876 and after the death of his wife, he was married again in 1913. Surviving him are his widow; one daughter, Roseletta Petersen; and a step son, Carl Christensen. All of his brothers and sisters had preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Mr. Petersen were held Wednesday afternoon from the Rose Hill church, with Rev. C.C. Norlin of Herman officiating. Mr. Petersen had been a lifelong member of the Danish Lutheran church. Burial was made in the Blair cemetery.

# 2 - - Enterprise, April 13, 1933

EARLY SETTLER DIES SUDDENLY

Rasmus Petersen, aged 82 years, died suddenly of heart failure at his home north of Rose Hill last Sunday at 2 p.m. Deceased had been feeling as well as usual and his sudden death came as a great shock to the family and the neighborhood.

He was born in Denmark where he lived until he was twenty-one years of age when he emigrated to his county where he has since made his home. He was married in early life but years ago the wife passes away and he did not remarry until late in life. To this second marriage one daughter was born, who with the wife and a step-son are grief-stricken over their great loss.

Mr. Petersen was a man of sterling worth, of a kindly disposition and the soul of honor and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The funeral services were held on Wednesday at one o’clock from the Rose Hill church and Rev. Norlin officiating and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.