Obit: Adrian, Peter (1853 - 1936)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: ADRIAN PIEFFER FISHER GUMZ MCCOY ROUSE WOLFE RISTAU EDER SHORTELL KOWALK

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 05/28/1936

Adrian, Peter (6 Aug. 1853 - 20 May 1936)

Peter Adrian, a former Colbyite and the first white child born in Freedom, Outagamie county, died at Fond du Lac Friday after an illness of nearly four years. He was eighty-three years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Adrian would have celebrated their fifty-seventh wedding anniversary on June 23rd. The death of Mr. Adrian is the first in the immediate family in 43 years, the last recorded in the family history was that long ago when one of the 14 children died.

Mr. Adrian was born in Freedom on Aug. 6, 1853. He was married there to Miss Alice Pieffer on June 23, 1897. Mr. Adrian was a blacksmith and farmer.

In 1900 he moved to Colby, Wis., where he resided until 1919, when he brought his family to Fond du Lac, making his residence at the edge of the city on the Rogerville road. Later he moved into the city. Several years ago he suffered sunstroke and never fully recovered. For the last four years he had been in poor health and recently ailed rapidly.

Ten of the 14 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Adrian are still living. They are John Adrian, Appleton; Mrs. Frank Fisher, Milwaukee; Matthew, Milwaukee; Mrs. Otto Gumz, and Mrs. James McCoy of Fond du Lac; Mrs. Clarence Rouse, Stevens Point; Sylvester F., Miles; Archie, and Lillian, all of Fond du Lac. Also 16 grand children, three great grand children and three sisters and one half brother, namely: Mrs. J. P. Wolfe of Ashland, Oregon, Mrs. Minnie Ristau of Kaukauna, Mrs. H. B. Eder of Colby and George Shortell of Colby.

Three weeks ago Mr. Adrian’s namesake passed away at Niagra Falls. He was buried at Kaukauna.

The funeral services were held at the home and of St. Louis church at Fond du Lac Monday.

Those from Colby who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Eder, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Eder and Mrs. Wm. Kowalk.