C.H. Peterson Succumbs to Heart Attack
Charles H. Peterson 86, Star Valley pioneer, Smoot merchant and bishop of the Smoot ward for sixteen years, died at his home in Smoot last Friday January 9, about 9:30 p.m. of a heart ailment.
A son of George Henry and Eliza Wilde Peterson. Charles Henry Peterson was born September 13, 1886, at Peterson, Weber County, Utah. His father was a polygamist who had three wifes, and to this large family 22 children were born.
Charles worked as a young boy 13 years of age in Dry Hollow, firing an upright boiler, at a wage of 50c per day fro 12 hours work. He moved to Almy Wyoming when 17 years old and worked for the central Pacific Coal Co. for three years. During this time he courted Mary Nelson Bruce, who later became his wife on September 22, 1888 in the Logan Temple. She was the daughter of James Wilson Barefield Bruce and Isabell Wilson. Eleven children were born to this union, seven girls and four boys; Eliza May and Isabell May (twin daughters), Gertrude, Myrtle Ivy, Afton Rhea, Rula Janette, Charles Newell, Mary Burnice, fielding Bruce, Harold Franklin and Kimball Wilde.
He worked for the Blythe-Fargo and Hoskins at Evanston for 8 years until he came to Star Valley and homesteaded the farm now owned by Harvey Crook. He was a farmer until he bought the stock in the store of Moffett and Parsons in Smoot, and was a merchant until he retired in 1946.
He was the president of the YMMIA, superintendent of the Sunday School and second counselor in the bishopric of the Smoot Ward before he was called as bishop of the ward in 1913, a position he held for 13 years. An ardent worker in the church, he witnessed many healings, ordinations, baptisms, confirmations, blessings and had many faith promoting experiences. Tragedy came to his home on April 11, 1895 when one of the twin daughters, Isabell May died. Then on April 11, 1925 he lost his beloved wife. September 18, 1925 Kimball was burned with gunpowder and two days later he passed away. His eldest son, Charles Newell was killed in an auto collision August 13, 1943.
At the time of his death he had 148 living descendants--8 children, 49 grandchildren, 88 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
One of the largest funerals ever held in the Smoot Ward chapel was conducted Tuesday, January 13, with Bishop Elmer Lancaster, presiding. The program was as follows.
Opening song, "Softly Beams the Sacred Dawning", James L. Gomm & Co.; Invocation, James L. Bruce; Obituary, Eugene Stuoki; Speaker, Alvin Walton; Vocal Solo, Mrs E.N. Jensen; Speaker, Erastus N. Jensen; Vocal solo, Harold F. Peterson; Speaker, LaVere Johns; Remarks, Bo. Elmer Lancaster; Closing son, "O My Father", James L. Gomm & Co.; Benediction, L.I Jenkins.
Pallbearers were Emmett Crook, Blaine Crook, Gary Findlay, Paul Findlay, Donald Wilde and Scott Rogers.
Interment was in the Afton cemetery. The grave was dedicated by Harvey O. Crook.
Many relatives from out of the valley were in attendance at the services, including two brothers, Jess Peterson of Diamondville and James Peterson of Evanston; one sister Mrs Herb Bryant of Kemmerer, Mr and Mrs Rob Spencer and Mr and Mrs Frank Bruce of Logan; Mr and Mrs Glen Spencer of Randolph; Bp. and Mrs Clyde Wilde and daughter of Raymond, Idaho; Mr and Mrs Charley Sneddon of Conda, Idaho; Mr and Mrs Elwin Sessions and Mr and Mrs Emmett Crook of Evanston; and all daughters and two sons of the Marshall Bruce family in Evanston.
Also attending were Mr and Mrs Merrill Findlay of Orem, Utah; Ross Findlay of Ephraim; Mrs Douglas Findlay of Salt Lake City; Mr and Mrs Harold Peterson and children of Provo; Mrs Fern Howald and son Sherman of Ogden; Mr and Mrs Ward Jensen of Brigham; Mr and Mrs Charles Stucki of Clearfield; Mr and Mrs E. W. Stucki and daughter Afton; Mr and Mrs Eugene Stucki, Mr and Mrs Willard Stucki of Paris; Mr and Mrs Wilmer Brown of Liberty; Mr and Mrs Donald Wilde and Boyd Wilde of Idaho Falls; Mr and Mrs Fred Peavler of Ogden; Mr and Mrs Scott Rodgers and Mr and Mrs L.A. Allred of Pocatello; Mr and Mrs Howard Crook and family of Idaho Falls; and Mr and Mrs Jerry Peterson of Salt Lake City.
Others who attended were Mr and Mrs Alma Walton of Border; Bp and Mrs Clifton Carson of Salem, Utah (one of Harold Peterson's missionary companions in Tonga); Mr and Mrs Lowell Crossley; Mr and Mrs Geo. Crossley and Mrs Lee Moffett of Smithfield; Riley Crossley of St. Charles.

Peterson, Charles H. (9 Jan 11953) (3)Star Valley Independent