Obit: Peterson, John M.#5 (1899 - 1964)

Contact: Pat Braun
Email: pat@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Peterson, Liepert, Harder, Coyier, Larson

----Source: Owen Enterprise (Owen, Clark Co. Wis.) 10/22/1964

----Peterson, John M.#3 (1899 - 17 OCT 1964)

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON

John M. Peterson, prominent attorney of Neillsville Wisconsin, passed away Saturday evening, October 17, 1964, after a lingering illness. He was born at Colby, Wisconsin, to N. P. Peterson and Martha (Larson) Peterson, November 2, 1899. N. P. Peterson was one of the earliest pioneers at Colby, coming there prior to the time the railroad went through there, about 1871. John was graduated from Colby Grade and High School, and thereafter served in World War I. He attended Lawrence College of Appleton. He was married to Harriet Liepert, Unity, Wisconsin in 1919. For approximately seven years, he had a mail route as a rural carrier out of Colby, during which time he took several courses with the University Extension Division. He then attended Law School, University of Wisconsin, and received his law degree in 1930.

His first four years of law practice were at Owen. He was Regional Claim Examiner with headquarters at Wisconsin Rapids in 1933-34. For several years he was a member of the County board and was first chairman of the Mediation board during the depression years. In 1935, he and his family moved to Neillsville when he was elected District of Attorney. He was re-elected for a second term, and continued practicing law in Neillsville until his illness.

He was keenly interested in community affairs and volunteered as the first Veteran Services Officer for Clark County, which position he held for several years. Upon the reorganization and building of the new Memorial Hospital, he was elected a member of the Board of directors, and served as Secretary for 10 years. He was Home Service Chairman of the Red Cross Chapter for over 20 years, and was a member of the Board of trustees of the Clark County Hospital, Owen, for the past several years. Skiing was one of his favorite sports. He was one of the first promoters of Bruce Mound ski area, and served as the first secretary of Half Moon Ski Club. He was a member of the local and State Bar Association, Masonic Lodge in Neillsville, Consistory in Eau Claire, Danish Brotherhood, Withee, American legion, Neillsville and First Unitarian Church in Madison.

Survivors are his wife, Harriet, tow daughters, Mrs. Hans (Donna Rae) Harder, Neillsville, and Mrs. Duane (Shirley) Coyler, Hood River, Oregon, and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday October 21, in the Masonic Temple in Neillsville. Burial was made in the Colby Cemetery.