John Peterson

As printed in 1909

John Peterson, Sr., who was the victim of a tragedy while preserving the peace and order of the city, will long be held in honored memory by the people of Red AVing. He was born May 30, 1856. at Wintrosa, near the city of Oreboro, in Sweden, and came to America in February, 1881, locating at once in Red Wing. He worked for a while on the railroad, then entered the employ of the city and in 1893 was appointed a member of the police force. In this capacity he served faithfully and with valor, being on several occasions the acting chief. He was doing active duty when at 9:10 on the evening of January 14. 1907. occurred the sad events which resulted in his death. The story of the affair is told more fully in the general history of Red Wing appearing in this volume. It is sufficient to say here that one August Bloom, a former Red Wing barber, managed to escape from the asylum at Rochester, where he had been confined, and returned to his home here. Although notified by the Red Wing authorities, the Rochester officials failed to come after their patient, and the Red Wing police decided that on account of threats that Bloom had made he should be locked up. On the evening in question he was located in the Sibley hotel. Accompanied by Mr. Peterson, Chief James Daily entered the waiting room of the hotel. Almost before the chief could speak the crazed man opened fire with a revolver, and a terrible struggle ensued, during which both the chief and Officer Peterson received fatal wounds. Bloom escaped, but was captured by a posse several hours later at East Red Wing. Mr. Peterson and the chief were taken to a hospital. A special train, ordered by Red Wing citizens, brought a physician from St. Paul, and everything possible was done to save the men's lives. It was found that the bullet which wounded Mr. Peterson passed through his left side into the bowels, finding lodgment in the skin about an inch from the navel. An operation was performed by Dr. Rodger, of Si. Paul, assisted by local surgeons, but these efforts were unavailing. Mr. Peterson was conscious to the last. He bade his family a fond farewell, expressed great concern for the welfare of his chief and passed away January Hi, 1007, at 5:30. The chief also died. When the funeral look place the entire city went into morning, the merchants closed their places of business and draped their windows in morning. The Rev. Mr. Darling, of the Presbyterian church, preached the funeral sermon, Inking for his texl the words. 'Deep.-alleth unto deep." Before coining to this country Mr. Peterson served three years in the standing army of Sweden. He was married April 20, 1881, to A\im Johnson, by whom he had five children: John H., 1882 Arthur E.. 1884; Ann II.. 1886; Harold Y., 1890, and Edna F., 1893.

John II. Peterson, son of the above, was educated in the public schools of Red Wing and attended the night sessions of the Red Wing Business College. He then clerked in several stores and later entered the employ of the Red Wing Gas, Light & Power Company, for which company he has now worked seven years, being the assistant manager. In addition to this, he is one of the proprietors of the Model Laundry. Mr. Peterson is a popular club and fraternity man. He was one of the organizers of the Florodora Club and served as its secretary ten years. He is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order and also belongs to the United Workmen, for which order he has been a delegate to several state conventions. He is a Democrat in politics.

Arthur E. Peterson is the acting manager of the Model Laundry. This laundry was organized September 30. 1907. and

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Ann H. Peterson is bookkeeper and stenographer for S. B. Foot & Co. Harold V. does newspaper and clerical work, and Edna F. has just graduated from the Red Wing high school.

Ernest Render, one of the substantial German citizens of Red Wing, was born in Neufeldt, Germany, June 21, 1849, son of Jurgen and Maria (Quast) Rehder, also natives of Germany. The father was a blacksmith and shipbuilder and worked at those trades until coming to America in 1872. He first located in Featherstone township, and there resumed his trade as a blacksmith, continuing in this occupation until 1880, when he retired and came to Red Wing, where he remained for the rest of his life. He passed to his eternal reward February 18, 1893, and was followed by his wife July 1, 1894. Ernest received his education in the schools of his native land, and supplemented this with a. few months' training in the American schools after arriving in Goodhue. Before coming to America he worked for a time as a blacksmith, and after landing here in 1871 worked <m a farm a short time for his uncle. In 1873 he came to Red "Wing, and again took up blaeksmi thing. The following year he started work in a general store, in which employ he continued until 1882, when he engaged in the general store business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Gerken, under the firm name of Gerken & Rehder, until 1886. In that year he started on the road as a salesman for a grocery firm, but after a year and a half again became a clerk in a store. In 1890 he engaged in business for himself, continuing this enterprise until 1896. Three years ago, in 1906, he accepted a position as superintendent of the elevator in the Goodhue County National Bank building, a position he still occupies, being known far and wide for his genial spirit and accommodating disposition. Mr. Rehder was married September 23, 1876, at Red Wing, to Maria Augustine, a native of Germany and daughter of Claus and Ingel Tobaben. Her mother died in the old country in 1860, and her father came to America in 1870, and located in Hay Creek, where he farmer until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Rehder have been born nine children, all of whom have attained excellent standing in the community and among their associates. Crala M., born July 21, 1877, married J. "W. Schmidt, of Chicago, and has one daughter, Gretchen. Margaret J., born May 30, 1879, is a stenographer at the La Grange mills. Ernest H., born June 13, 1881, is a bookkeeper at the Union Stoneware Company. Lydia A., born March 30, 1883, married Otto P. Albreeht, of St. Paul, and has one child, Paul. Rudolf G., born September 3, 1885, is teller in the Goodline County National bank and first lieutenant of Company G, Minnesota National Guard. Frederick AY., born July 13, 1887, is a jeweler, optician and engraver. John, born July 30, 1890, is a student in the State University. Emil A., born November 26, 1891, is a student in the Red Wing high school, and Ruth H., born December 25. 1897, is a pupil in the public schools. Mr. Render is a staunch Republican and has served the city one term as alderman. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.

As printed in History of Goodhue County, Minnesota (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.