Obit: Deforth, Peter (1859 - 1932)
Contact:  Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: DEFORTH ZIMMER LUNDSTROM BALLARD HARBRECHT

----Sources: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 03/24/1932

Deforth, Peter (5 JUN 1859 - 14 MAR 1932)

Peter Deforth died at the family residence at St. Paul Park, on Monday, March 14, 1932, at the age of 72. He had been in ill health for the past six months, but had not been confined to his bed until two weeks previous to his death.

Deceased was born at Kiel, Wis., on June 5, 1859, and grew to manhood there. On May 4, 1889, he was untied in marriage to Miss Katherine Zimmer of Thorp, Clark Co., Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Deforth lived at Thorp for about a year and then moved to Montana where Mr. Deforth was engaged as a wagon maker. They returned to their old home at Thorp after a few years, and in the year of 1905 moved to St. Paul Park. They purchased what was known as the "Fowler Place," where they built a nice modern home in 1910.

Mr. Deforth was not only a successful farmer, but a constructive thinker and interested in national and civic affairs. He wrote many articles which were published in the St. Paul daily papers and also in our county papers. He was a sterling character, sincere and honest, a good citizen, whom the community will greatly miss. He was also a good husband and kind father.

He leaves to mourn his death, his beloved wife, three daughters, Mrs. Charles Lundstrom, St. Paul; Mrs. M.E. Ballard, Roxbury, N.Y., and Miss Florence E. of St. Paul Park; three sons, Chester W. Dickinson, N.D.; Benjamin E. and Marlyn A., St. Paul Park, besides one sister, Mrs. Lottie Harbrecht of California, also two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held from the family residence on Thursday, March 17, at 1:30 p.m., Rev. W.F. Finke of St. Paul officiating. Conrad Andersen, pastor of the Church of God, St. Paul Park, offered prayer and Rev. Chas. L. Grant, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church of St. Paul, also spoke and gave the closing prayer. Mrs. Carl M. Erickson, St. Paul, sang "What a Friend We have in Jesus," "Farewell," and "God be with You ‘til We Meet Again." She was accompanied at the piano by Mrs. J.M. Norris.

Remains were laid to rest in the Cottage Grove Cemetery.

Relatives from out of town attending the funeral were: Mr. John Zimmer and Mrs. Herman Buss, Thorp, Wis., brother and sister of Mrs. Deforth, nd a nephew, Hugo Roesler, also of Thorp.