Baergen, Peter G. (1865-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Jul 5 p. 4

Birth date: 1865 May 23, S. Russia
Birth date: 1865 Jun 4
Date of Death: 1962 June 23, Oklahoma

text of obituary:

Early-Day Homesteader In Oklahoma Dies

Corn, Okla. — Funeral services for Peter G. Baergen, pioneer settler in this community in the year 1894, were conducted June 17 at the Bergthal Mennonite church near here with Rev. Albert Epp and Dr. J. K. Warkentin officiating. Mr. Baergen died in the Cordell hospital on June 23 at the age of 97.

Born in South Russia, he came to Harvey County, Kansas in 1877 at the age of 12. In 1891 he was married to Katharina Peters, and in 1894 they moved to what is now Oklahoma and filed a claim and homesteaded on a farm in the Indian territory. He helped organize the Bergthal Church, of which he was a charter member.

Mrs. Baergen died in 1942. Survivors include three sons, two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Jul 19 p. 8

text of obituary:

PETER G. BAERGEN

Peter G. Baergen, our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, was born June 4, 1865 in South Russia. With his parents he migrated to the United States in 1877 at the age of 12 years. They settled in Harvey County, Kansas, where he grew to manhood, made a public confession of Christ as his Saviour, was baptized and joined the Mennonite Church.

In 1891 he was married to Katharina Peters, who preceded him to Glory in July 1942.

In 1894 they moved to Oklahoma and filed claim in the Indian Territory. The early years were difficult, but with the Lord's help these hardships turned into blessings.

He was active in helping organize the Bergthal Church near Corn, where he remained a devoted member until the Lord called him Home.

His marriage was blessed with eight children, four sons and four daughters, and there are 20 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were one son, Jacob, at the age of two years; two daughters, Helena, at the age of eight years, and Anna (Mrs. J. A. Ratzlaff), at the age of 47 years; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He leaves to mourn his departure three sons, George of La Habra, Calif., John of Fort Sill, Okla., and Samuel of Wichita, Kansas; two daughters, Kathrine (Mrs. C. E. Nickel) of Corn, Okla. and Elizabeth of Clinton, Okla.; one foster son, Ralph Peters of Lafayette, Calif.; one son-in-law and four daughters-in-law; 18 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; thee brothers-in-law, John J. Peters of Monroe, Wash., Jacob J. Peters of Meadowlake, Sask., and P. L. Heidebrecht of Corn, Okla.

He went to be with the Lord on June 23, 1962 at the age of 97 years and 19 days. His daily prayers for his family will be greatly missed.

“Absent from the body, present with the Lord, which is far better.”

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
S. Russia
Son of Gerhard E. and Helena (Becker) Baergen
Married Kathrina Peters 1891 November 22, Kansas
Farmer -- Cordell, Oklahoma

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
With brother, Gerhard -- (2 copies, negative)
With wife and children -- Cordell, Oklahoma

Sources:
Grandma Profile #100793
MWR 7/19/1962 . 8