Heinrich Gotbar Petersen was born April 4, 1854 in Stedesand, Tondern, Schweis-Hold. He married Margaretha Metta Lund. After serving in the army he found that he had no means of supporting their 8 children (one of these died) in Germany. They decided to homestead in the Dakotas. In 1891 he took their eldest son and went to find a place to live before sending for the rest of the family. He died May 31, 1878 in Lisbon, ND.
Margaretha Metta Lund was born November 29, 1855 in Huerup, Flensburg, Schleswig-Hols. When Heinrich left for America she was pregnant with another child. After the birth of the next son she took the long ship journey across the ocean with the children. Another child was born in America. This brought their total surviving children to 10. Margaretha died July 13, 1914 in Lisbon, ND.
Catherine Marie “Mary” Petersen was born December 6, 1890 in Germany. Interesting that her four month old sister who died the year Mary was born was named Marie Chatherine. Mary was two years old when her family settled in America. The photo is of her confirmation in 1906. (Mary is back row right)
She died September 29, 1966 in LaMoure, ND
Karl August William “Charles” Raatz married Catherine Marie “Mary” Petersen June 2, 1908 in Verona, ND. There they began a happy life on the farm and later retired to the town of Verona. They were actively involved in their community and St. John’s Lutheran Church. The second photo was taken in 1918.
