Their family grew (a new baby every other year!)...and as 7 of the children married, the young couples spread throughout Scott, Muscatine, Cedar, and Clinton Counties. Then in 1913, Dora (with husband Julius and their 4 kids) moved to Minnesota! Life was busy, hours were looong, and work was HARD...but the siblings relished a chance to reunite at their annual summer picnic.
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| ALL CLEANED UP for the PETERSEN FAMILY PICNIC c. 1940s L to R: Julius, Fred, Hannes, Chris, Henning, Bertha, Vena, Elsie, Martha, Alma In front: Dora and Amelia |
Traditionally held on the last Sunday in June--after all crops were in the ground--the "Cousins' Picnic" was a time to gather, relax, and catch up on each other's lives. A great feast was served at noon, in the pavilion at Davenport's Fejervary or Duck Creek park. Then, while the oldsters played cards & made conversation all afternoon, the younger generation played games, chased, and became re-acquainted. Originally, these children were all "1st cousins." Before heading home, a light supper was served from the noon leftovers. Ah, that great food...
Over the decades, the Petersen family GREW and expanded into the 3rd and 4th generation of Petersens, Papers, Millers, Horns, and Rodes offspring. The "cousins up North" rarely could attend, but often sent an update from Verndale, MN.
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| Farm News from Lillie & Elmer -- 1972 |
Two well-worn coil notebooks remain from the 1959 through 2011 reunions. Filled with the yearly details and "sign in" autographs of every attendee (plus their age), these are precious keepsakes. Each year, a different family branch was responsible for organizing the picnic. Careful rotation charts were kept! The host family would often document a weather report of picnic day (true farmers!), a short financial report of rent paid for the hall or dues collected, and the all-important AWARDS granted for youngest attendee, oldest attendee, and "500" prize winners. Sometimes this information was reported in the Davenport newspaper:
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From 1959 through 1974, the family gathered at the Duck Creek Park Lodge. Then from 1975 to 1996, Durant's community hall ("Lamp Memorial Building") served as the meeting place. Later, as attendance dwindled and costs rose, the family gathered in Maysville's fire station (1997-2011) and expanded the roster to include kin from Marquard's brother, Hans Peter. During this period, the following article--which truly captures the spirit of a Petersen picnic!--was written by one of the "H-P cousins" visiting from Arizona:
THE FAMILY REUNION
I have not been to many family reunions because my side of the family is small in number. Not so for Beverley's side. But because of the distance involved we seldom could attend one.
But this year we were in Iowa at the time of the Petersen reunion. And we went. It was held in the Maysville Fire Station, next to the cemetery, surrounded by corn fields as far as the eye could see. It was raining cats and dogs for most of the day.
Once inside, we were greeted by sixty some people all who claimed Petersen ancestry. Old people with canes, children with toys, babies with rattles, they all were there. We signed the official book, a spiral dog-eared notebook that had been well used.
Food is always the first order of business, following a table grace. I have not seen such amount of food for a long, long time. You name it; it was there. Ham, chicken, fish and beef, fresh corn, hot German potato salad, green olives, black olives, meat loaves of every shape, and my favorite, Swedish meatballs. I counted six different kinds. I thought for a moment I was in heaven. And to start naming the desserts would not be wise. Home-baked pies had a slight edge over the number of cakes. I tried two of them. You were nicely scolded if you did not try every special dish. I had to promise one man to try his smoked catfish, which took a little doing on my part.
Most of the Petersen clan came from the farm. Even though I am from Iowa I never lived on a farm. But it was a warm and cordial group. Beverley's mother did a fine job in introducing her side of the family, which took some doing. She was having a wonderful time, reliving the good old days and telling me who was related to whom. One of the family leaders made more introductions; Bev and I came the longest distance. The entertainment consisted of a man getting out of a pair of handcuffs. And another man who played the accordion.
But the real celebrities of the day were indeed the people. The heavy rain could not dampen their spirits. Children scampered, the men told some jokes, the women shared recipes while gathering up the dishes. It was time to get back to the chores.
Maybe God knew what he was doing after all!
"GOD SETTETH THE SOLITARY IN FAMILIES" Psalm 68:8
[Written in 1999 by Rev. Kenneth Larkin of AZ]
Wouldn't Marquard (1849-1926) and Christena (1854-1910) be proudly amazed at the spirit and the extent of their progeny!! With the recent loss of Pearl Miller Wilcox, only 2 of their 34 grandchildren remain: the 1922 twins from Christian & Elsie---Cora and Corella. Yes, the years are passing. So it is TIME to gather again--for perhaps one last time--to celebrate how far we've spread and how many we've become!!! We are family.
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| 1956 Picnic Note the men clustered at left as the well-dressed women set out their baskets, tins, & boxes! |
Back of photo lists:
Alma, Pearl, Corella,
Elsie & Leona
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NC visits IA 1981
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| Henning - Alvena - Chris undated photo |
