Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-02-21
A HELPFUL MAN

In all parts of the country there
are occurances or things happening
now and then that stand out as epochs
in the history of the communities
concerned and so il is now in the
Askov community in the passing of
that tireless worker and buiider-L.
{. Petersen.
His coming here in 1907 in the
prime of life ut the age of 45-fully
matured and with much experience
TO a place which was then practically
a wilderness. was the beginning and
one epoch in the history of the COM
munity-the mere happy one. His
passing marks a loss to the commun-
ity but leaves happy memory, and
it is principally the latter which we
now dwell upon. and take from the
lesson renewed energy to strive fore
ward and onward.
Mr. Petersen was of a quiet nature
never of the loud talking type
and therefore to new acquaintances
he did not appear so forceful and ag-
gressiye. but as one became better
acquainted with this man one soon
discovered that he was a deep think
er and was possessed of no little vision.
He was an optimiSt and enjoyed life
thoroughly. As has been brought out
was man of varied experience and
enjoyed a wide acquaintenceship. 1t
falls to the lot of but few men to
become acquainted with so many as
did Mr.. Petersen. He had contact with
men and women spiritually. socially
economically and politically.
Though the editor of the American
did not agree with him on a number
of questions economically and politi-
cally, we however. had high regard
for the man, for his integrity and
honesty and therefore it was pleas
ure to support him as a strong home
man to the office of state representa-
tive in which capacity he served in
the sessions of 1919 and 1921 While
as above stated we did not agree on
some of the important questions be-
fore the public, the American con-
sidered him so far above many of
those who seek political offices that
we were glad to give him more sup
port than we have ever given any
other man for a political office.
Though the legislative work is i'm
portant enough it was not there that
he performed his most ardent task.
That was overshadowed by his more
inn ron of
ity builder where he was at his best.
Things have changed wonderfully
here in the twenty-five years-much
progress has been made-and in the
meantime there has also been a
change in times as there is in any
era. While there is always a place
for a man of the Petersen type in
any community at any time but rea-
liking that the span of life is limited
it appears that he was the right man
at the right time here. He has set
an example in helpfulness and kind
illness that is well for others to en-
ulate.
He could relate many human inter
est stories and they would make inter
esting reading. Here is one he told
the writer from his days in Tyler. A
boy who spent most of his time on
the streets-perhaps 10 to II years
old-somewhat neglected in his bring
ing up, had the bad habit of swear
ing and making sarcastic remarks al
grown-ups as well as children. He
also gloried in making faces" al
others. The boy had done this two
or three times to Mr.. Petersen anC
all of a sudden one day when he met
Petersen on the street with his tongue
stretched out at full length, Petersen
without warning, slapped the boy &
singing one with the open hand il
the face. This apparently cured the
boy, for afterwards he used to brins
flowers to Petersen.
This little story is related to show
his interest i'm having children brought
up to be respectful citizens in later
years. One might gather from it tina
he was harsh but that was far re
moved from his nature, only he was o
the opinion that when it had gone
too far drastic measures should b'
used and especially in the case of ;
smart-alec boy who needed "tunin.
up"
One could go on and relate storie
and incidents from the life of thi
man that are interesting and upbuild
ing but it will suffice by stating tina
he leaves happy memory as a help
full man.