| Last Name |
Peterson |
| First Name |
Eva |
| Middle Name |
Margaret |
| Born |
25 Dec 1887 in Minnesota |
| Home Addresses (Salem) |
None identified |
| Died |
11 Dec 1909 in Salem, Marion, Oregon |
| Place Buried |
Dallas, Polk, Oregon |
| Spouse |
None |
| Date of Marriage |
|
| Children |
None |
| Dates of Employment |
1908-1909 |
| Job(s) at TKWM |
Weaver |
| Life Story
|
Eva Peterson worked as a weaver at Thomas Kay Woolen Mill as a teenager, from at least 1908 until her death at the end of 1909.
Eva Peterson was born to Gustave and Mathilda Margreta “Thilda” (Kling) Peterson on Christmas Day 1887 in Minnesota. Eva was the second of eight children born to this couple, six daughters and two sons. Her parents had come from Sweden but met and married in Minnesota.
Eva lived with her family in Corinna, Wright County, MN with her parents and siblings in 1900. The census in 1900 lists Gustave as a farmer in Corinna along with his wife and at the time, seven children. Many of the Kling family, including Mathilda’s parents, lived in the same area.
Around 1900, Gustave and Mathilda packed up their large family and headed to Oregon where they settled in Polk County, just east of Dallas. Mathilda was pregnant with their eighth child. The baby was born 20 April 1901. A newspaper printed on April 26th reported that “Mrs. Peterson is very low, but hopes are entertained for her recovery”. Unfortunately, the recovery did not happen, and Mathilda passed away at the end of April. Mathilda was buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Dallas, and Gust was left to care for their large, young family.
The next huge loss came quickly when Gustave died a few months later on 15 Oct 1901, which left their eight children orphaned. Neighbors cared for the children until the court appointed Harry S. Butts as their guardian. Gustave was buried alongside his wife.
Eva was 13 years old when both of her parents died. No evidence has been found as to where she might have gone to live or the year she might have started working for the woolen mill. The only record of her time at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill was found in city directories from 1908 and 1909. Eva’s younger sister Amelia also worked as a weaver for the woolen mill.
Eva worked at the mill when she came down with typhoid fever. She died three weeks later at the Salem hospital on 11 Dec 1909, just before her 21st birthday. Her death certificate listed her occupation as weaver. Eva was buried in the pioneer section of Dallas IOOF Cemetery, close to her parents. |
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|
| References |
| Name |
Remarks |
| Salem City Directories |
1908-1909 – Peterson Eva, weaver, Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Co |
| Census Records |
1900 – Emma Peaterson [Peterson] (name is in error), Age: 13, Birth Date: Dec 1887, Birthplace: Minnesota, Home in 1900: Corinna, Wright, Minnesota, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to Head of House: Daughter, Marital Status: Single, Father’s Name: Gustolf Peaterson [Peterson] , Father’s Birthplace: Sweden, Mother’s Name: Matildie Peaterson [Peterson] , Mother’s Birthplace: Sweden, Attended School: 4, Can Read: Yes, Can Write: Yes, Can Speak English : Yes. Household members: Gustolf Peaterson [Peterson] (40), Matildie Peaterson [Peterson] (38), Annie M Peaterson [Peterson] (14), Emma Peaterson [Peterson] (13), Emma Peaterson [Peterson] (10), Emilia Peaterson [Peterson] (8), Elicksandor Peaterson ([Peterson] 6), Mamie Peaterson [Peterson] (4), Elmer Peaterson [Peterson] (1). |
| Oregon Death Index |
Eva Peterson – Death Date: 11 Dec 1909, Death Place: Marion, Certificate: 5509 |
| Find-a-Grave |
Eva Margaret Peterson – Birth: 25 Dec 1887 Minnesota, USA. Death: 11 Dec 1909 (aged 21) Salem, Marion County, Oregon, USA. Burial: Dallas Cemetery – Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, USA. Plot: Pioneer Section, Row 14, Location 09, from the South. Memorial ID: 30542858 |
| Digital Newspapers
|
Polk County Itemizer 3 May 1901, pg. 3 – Death of mother
“The wife of Gust Peterson died near Dallas last week. The family came from the east only a few months ago.”
Polk County Itemizer 18 Oct 1901, pg. 3 – Death of father
“Not many months ago Mrs. Gus Peterson living just east of town died and on Tuesday he passed away leaving eight helpless children. For the present the neighbors will care for them.
Polk County Itemizer 25 Oct 1901, pg. 3 – Probate, guardian chosen
“County Court Probate – H. S. Butz Chosen Guardian”
Oregon Statesman 12 Dec 1909, pg. 4 – Death notice
“PETERSON – At the Salem hospital, Saturday, December 11, 1909, at 8 o’clock a.m., Miss Eva Peterson, aged 21 years, of typhoid fever. Miss Peterson was an employe of the Thos. Kay Woolen mill, and was taken ill about three weeks ago. Her home was at Dallas, to which place her remains were sent yesterday for interment.”
Polk County Observer 24 Jan 1911, pg. 2 – Probate
“Probate: In the estate of Eva Peterson, deceased – final discharge entered.” |
| WHC Materials |
None yet identified |
