My report is on Hjalmer (Elmer) Gustav Petersen, even though I didn't get a chance to meet him,
I know he was a great man. I bet he was very thoughtful and kind.
Hjalmer was born on January 26th, 1878, in Fredrikshald, Norway.
He was the second son of Carl Johan & Wilhelmina Josephine Petersen.
When he was six he began attending school, he attended for six years.
Around Elmers thirteenth year he was asked to come to America to work on the farm
of Mr. Sam Bunnell who ran a farm in Lake View Utah.
Elmer was chosen because he was a small boy and could ride the ship for half fare.
It took him 6 weeks to make the trip, at a cost of $40.
He worked 2 years to repay his fare to America.
Mr. C.J. Rohwer sponsored the rest of Elmers family to America to work on his farm in Penrose, Utah.
After Elmer had finished his service with Mr. bunnell he joined his family there,
seeing them for the first time in 2 years.
In the spring of 1893 Elmer obtained work digging the first canal through the area.
The next spring Elmer again found work at the Model farm in West Corinne.
He worked there for three years again being separated from family.
Once this job was done Elmer returned to Penrose
where he helped his Father deliver mail from Penrose to Collinston.
During these early days of horse and wagon it was necessary to make trips to
Brigham City about twice a year for supplies.
On one of these trips to Brigham Elmer made a stop at the home of Mr. James P. Fredrickson.
It was there that he met Flora Marie Fredrickson, the girl he would marry.
They were married on October 14th, 1902.
Elmer and Flora had four children that lived. Charlie, (my Great Grandpa), Laurence, Ethyl, & Hazel.
Sorrow came to GreatGreat Grandpa Elmer on Nov. 11th 1913,
when Flora died during the birth of their seventh child.
He laid her to rest with the baby in the Penrose cemetery.
He was left alone to raise four small children, and he would never remarry.
Grandpa Elmer died March 11th, 1962 at the age of 84.
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