*Doubly Great

The following is the newspaper obituary of my great-great grandfather, printed in the Bayfield County Press on March 4, 1910:

OLD RESIDENT IS GONE

Peter Hokenson Died Here Last Saturday Afternoon

DIED.-Peter Hokenson, born in Sweden in 1863, died in Bayfield, Wisconsin, Saturday, February 26th.

Peter Hokenson, one of the early residents of Bayfield, has passed to his reward, and the many loving relatives and friends mourn the loss of a true hearted, noble neighbor. Deceased has been ailing for the past year, and death finally came Saturday as a relief to his sufferings.

Mr. Hokenson first came to this country about forty years ago, taking up this residence in this city. In the year 1891 he was married to Miss Anna Peterson of this city.

To mourn his death, Mr. Hokenson leaves a wife and five children and also scores of friends who unite in extending heartfelt sympathy to their bereavement.

Funeral services over the remains of Mr. Hokenson were held at the Broad street home Monday afternoon, Rev. J. Samuelson, of the Norwegian Lutheran church, officiating, interment taking place at Greenwood cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish, through the Press, to extend hearfelt thanks to the many kind friends who came to our assistance in our hour of sorrow. Mrs. Peter Hokenson and children.

Incidentally, my great-great grandmother was born in Sweden...with a last name of either Svenson, Swanson, or Peterson (as mentioned in the above obit). Her father, Sven Peterson, would most likely have given her his name as surname in the "old country", but it may have been switched when she came to America. I have yet to properly research this question. Talking to other family members, they've come across all three names. This is why researching Swedish family trees is (to me) a pain. It all goes well until you hit the ones born in Sweden.

Posted by Jennifer at March 9, 2005 08:00 AM

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