Marion Illinois History Preservation

Extracted chiefly from the newspapers Marion Daily Republican (MDR), Herrin News (HN) and Carterville Herald (CH)

April

Monroe Peterson who celebrated his 82^nd birthday shortly before Christmas, died Wednesday of last week at his farm near Jeffrey mine and was buried in the little cemetery nearby. It was an old-time funeral, such as has not been seen in this community by the recent generation. The old settlers from all the countryside about gathered at the Ferges private burial grounds. They came in farm wagons and buggies and some a horse back. The roads were too muddy for any other kind of travel. Mr. Peterson was a pioneer of this end of the county. Long before Fort Sumpter was fired upon, he was living on the farm where he died and tilling the soil. He answered the call to arms when Lincoln called for soldiers. After the war he returned to the farm and has lived here ever since. For several years he has been blind. His wife, formerly Miss Mary Sutherland, now in her 83^rd year, survives and is able to do her own housework. Seven children were born. Three sons and two daughters survive: William, Mont and Rice Peterson, Mrs. William Durham and Mrs. John Grant, all of whom live close by. HN 1 Apr