Peterson - Charles B. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Lafayette Call: Charles B. Peterson, B. C. E., instructor of mechanical drawing at Purdue University, died Feb. 7 at 5 o’clock a.m., from the effects of pneumonia, after an illness of two weeks’ duration. The immediate cause of death was an abscess of the lungs. Monday Mr. Peterson was considered much improved and all his friends and relatives had great hopes for his recovery, but, all unexpected, the abscess broke Tuesday morning and life passed away.

Since first being taken ill, the deceased had been in much pain and a very high fever seemed to defy the best medical skill. But for several days recently it had been thought that the patient was on the road to recovery. His sudden death was a terrific blow to the wife.

Charles B. Peterson, born July 24, 1868, was the son of John and Hannah Peterson, residing near Darlington. He was educated in the township schools in the Potato Creek neighborhood, graduated there from about 1882. A year later he entered DePauw University, where he remained five years. Not finding the course in that college adapted to his desires, he entered the junior class in mechanical engineering at Purdue in 1890, graduating with high honors in 1891. His thesis was “A Design for a Cantilever.”  After graduating at Purdue, he went to Detroit and made a number of drawings for the Detroit Bridge Company and remained there until called to accept a position as instructor in mechanical drawing at Purdue at the opening of the fall term of 1892, and had remained as such to the time of his demise. He ranked high as an instructor, being rated by the faculty as a brilliant and skillful draughtsman. In the summer of 1892, he made a trip to Europe with Dr. Arthur, returning in time to re-enter upon his duties the following fall.

He was married June 20, 1894, to Miss Olla Alkire, who graduated in the same class with the degree of B. S. She is the daughter of Isaac Alkire. Two bright daughters were born to this union, Mildred, aged three, and Marian, aged one year.

The deceased was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Greek fraternity, joining the chapter at DePauw during his course there. He was also an active member of the Purdue Civil Engineering Society. He was a young man universally loved by all who knew him, was very popular with the student body and none will more sincerely mourn his loss than the latter. He always occupied a position of the highest regard by the faculty and as a student through his entire course ranked high.

As a citizen he was respected and honored and in the home, as husband and father, he was kind, loving and gentle. His disposition was admirable, and his many traits of character endeared him to the community.

In his death, a home has been robbed of a noble husband and parent, the community loses an esteemed citizen, and the university has a position vacated, which it will be difficult to fill with one so efficient as Prof. Peterson. He will be greatly missed from the societies and fraternity to which he belonged.

The funeral was conducted from the residence of the deceased’s father-in-law, Isaac R. Alkire, 615 State Street, West Lafayette, Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock, Rev. George W. Switzer officiating. Interment was made in Springvale Cemetery. The funeral was private but Wednesday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:30 o’clock, the faculty, students and other friends called at the home, 619 State Street. - s