Peter Nelson of Gibson City, Ford county, Illinois born 24 July 1859 Flakkebjerg, Southwest Zealand, (Slagelse Region), Denmark (near Coppenhagen), the son of Soren Nelson and Elizabeth Hanson. His is listed as Niels Peder Nielson on passenger list 1882 March 2nd Ship SS State of Georgia, pg 4, [New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957]. The ship he came on feft Glasgow on Feb. 16, 1882. After a 2nd. voyage back to Denmark in year 1888, he returned to America with his sweetheart whom he made his wife, Kirsten E 'Christina' Hansen. His naturalization is recorded January 6, 1892 on record in Bloomington, McLean, Illinois [086 NELSON, NELS PETER Nat. Rec. Intentions 1888-1906 Bk. 2 p. 36 Decl. of Intentions 6 January 1892]. Peter & Kirsten's tombstone is engraved with surname ending in 'en' instead of 'on' even though his obituary spells it with the 'on' and all his children use that version........................... Found in the Gibson City Courier, of Gibson City, IL. after August 13, 1932 edition was the obituary for:
Peter Nelson

Funeral services for Peter Nelson age 73 who died at the home of his son Elmer Nelson, last Thursday morning, were held at 2:30 o'clock last Saturday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church. The Services were in charge of Rev. R.M Luedde, pastor of the Christian Church. Burial was in the local cemetery. The Odd Fellows lodge had charge of the services at the grave. Misses Dorothy Jane Guy and Jean Stubbert sang- " The Old Rugged Cross", "Shall We Gather at the River", "Just As I Am". The Pallbearers were: Raymond Gill, Welby Murry, Otto Taylor, J. F. Swallow, Joe Myers, and Earl Tomlinson.

Peter Nelson was born July 21, 1859 at Flakkebjerg (sic), Denmark, and when 23 years of age came to America, settling in Ford County, Illinois where he worked for several years and then returned to Denmark for a visit. Upon his return to America, he was accompanied by his sweetheart, Miss Kirsten Hansen of Flakkebjerg, Denmark also, and they were united in Marriage in 1888 at Paxton. After living in Gibson City for one year they moved on the farm of William McKeever for whom he worked for 4 years. In 1893 Mr. Nelson rented a farm near Garber, where they resided for 4 years and then moved to the Peter Anderson farm near Harpster, {off Rt. 54 South of Gibson City} where they lived for several years and then moved to the Timothy Ross farm six miles south of Gibson City, which was their home for 18 years. After 27 years of successful farming he retired and purchased a home in Gibson City where the family resided until the death of Mrs. Nelson in 1921.

Since that time he had lived at a hotel in Gibson City during the winters and spent the summer months visiting in the homes of his children. He had been enjoying a 10 day's visit at the home of his son when he was taken suddenly ill early Thursday morning, August 11, and death followed with in 2 hours. His age was 73 years and 20 days.

He was member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gibson City and Gibson Lodge # 542, I.O.O.F Surviving him are 8 children: Mrs N.C. Holm; Mrs. Evan Eminger; Mrs. Raymond Swarm; Elmer F. Nelson; and Eugene Nelson all of Gibson City; Miss Clara Nelson of Chicago; William Nelson of Paxton and Alton Nelson of Fisher and one half brother- Hans R. Nelson of Gibson City. one infant daughter, Beulah Ruth died when 9 months of age.

He is also survived by 14 grandchildren. All of the children were present at the funeral and the following from out of town: Mr. & Mrs. G. Kofoid and children; Harvey Kofoid of Chicago; Mrs. Nora Busick and son Russell of Champaign; Mr. & Mrs. Sigfred Peterson of Champaign; Mr. & Mrs. N. P. Rasmussen and Mrs. W. Falvey of Ludlow; Mr. & Mrs. Chris Johnson of Paxton.

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(Apparently there were two obits printed for Peter.)
Obit for Peter found in the Gibson City Courier, of Gibson City, IL [in the August 11, 1932 edition on microfilm roll 204 B for the year : July 9, 1931 - May 10, 1934]. "Death of Pioneer"
Peter Nelson, a pioneer resident of Gibson City, died at the home of his son Elmer at 4:15 a.m. on Thursday, August 11 following a stroke of paralysis. He was born July 21, 1859, in Flakkebjerg (sic), Denmark, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Soren Nelson and came early to America. He had for many years been a highly esteemed resident of Gibson City and vicinity. His wife preceeded him in death. He leaves to mourn his death eight children: Clara of Chicago, and Christine, Gene, Elmer, Ethel, Agnese, William and Alton of Gibson City. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clocl on Saturday afternoon at the Presbyterian church, in charge of Rev. R. M. Luedde, pastor of the christian church. The Odd Fellow will have charge of the burial service in the Gibson City cemetery.