Bennett T. Peterson
Personal History
BENNETT THEODORE PETERSON’S HISTORY WRITTEN BY HIMSELF
Father’s name: Niels Christian Peterson
Mother’s name: Caroline Easterling
Born: Aug. 22, 1875
Where born: Wayne County, Mississippi
Baptized: Sept. 1, 1892
Baptized by: Daniel Moss
Confirmed by: Joseph Holbrook
Priesthood ordinations:
Elder—ordained by Richard Egan—June 19, 1902
Seventy—by James Howard—Mar 21, 1905
High Priest—by Geo. E. Garrett—Mar 19, 1928
Married:
Addie May Wood—June 25, 1902—Salt Lake Temple (died 1909)
Florence Lorene Pulley—Dec 14, 1910—Salt Lake Temple—by Anthon H. Lund
Endowed: in Salt Lake Temple
Departed for a mission to: Southern States—Dec 2. 1937
Returned: June 5, 1938
The town where I was born was near Richton, Mississippi. Soon after I was born my father moved to Waynesboro in Mississippi. When I was 17 years old we came to Utah in November 1892. Upon my arrival in Utah I went to work for the Deseret Livestock where I worked various times. During this time I went to Loa, Wayne County, where I worked at blacksmith work for approximately 4 years. I then came to Woods Cross where I worked at various jobs until I married. I lived in South Bountiful until 1909 when we moved into the Val Verda district. This was in February 1909. We lived in that section unto the present writing with the exception of 3 years when I lived in American Fork, Utah. My first wife, Addie May Wood, died in September, 1909, and was buried in the Bountiful Cemetery. There was born to us Eva May who married Fred Briggs who died, and then married Ed Larkin. George Theodore who died at the age of 2 months eleven days and was buried in the Bountiful Cemetery. Joseph Wood, who married Athaleen Wright and they live in Weiser, Idaho. Glen Wood who married Lavaun Wright and they live at Nyssa, Oregon. Ruth Adelaide who married Therse Page and they live at Woods Cross, Utah. While at American Fork visiting my brother Henry I met my present wife and we married Dec 14, 1910. There was born unto us Florence Ruby who married Lorenzo W. Martin, Emma Lorene who married Alvin W. Curtis and they live in Salt Lake, Ruby also lives in Salt Lake. Priscilla who married Edwin Wilde who live in Provo. James Andrew who married LaVon Brauer and they live at Nyssa, Oregon. Charles Ray who is in the U.S. Air Force at the present in Midland, Texas. Theodore Melvin who married Ileann Wendrich and live in St. George, Utah. Jeanette who married James K. Alleman and live at Springville, Utah. He is at present in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre. Mary LaRee, Dorothy, Bennett Pulley and Jane who live with us at this writing. I was first assigned as ward and Sunday School chorister in the South Bountiful Ward. I taught classes in the M.I.A. and Sunday School organization and was ward teacher. Also on the finance committee. While at Loa I was ward teacher and chorister. Returning to South Bountiful I served as ward teacher and in the superintendency in the Bountiful 2nd Ward, was counselor in the South Davis Stake Genealogical Committee, also counselor in the South Davis High Priests Quorum. I served as ward chorister and chorister of the Bountiful 2nd Ward, also ward teacher. Then I was called on a mission to the Southern States. I arrived at Atlanta, Georgia, Dec 8, 1937. My mission president was Merrill J. Clayson. I labored in the Mississippi District. I was set apart for my mission by Apostle Reed Smoot. I gathered much genealogy while I was there and worked among my own people. At the present I have charge of the genealogical work in the Orchard Ward. I serve also in the Superintendency of the Orchard Ward Sunday School.
When My mother died it was such a sad time and such a shock to everyone that I have tried to forget it and do not remember many details. The funeral was held in the schoolhouse which was close to where we lived. There was a large crowd of people. I remember having a negro nanny who took care of us and how good she was and how much we loved her and how clean she was. My father was left a widower with six boys, of whom I was the oldest. There were Bennett Theodore, Henry Fredrick, William David, Thomas Jerid, George Nelson, Joseph Christian. Our father was a Baptist minister. He rode a circuit on horseback from one church to another as their traveling preacher.