Henrich Peterson
Early Life
Henrik Petersen, also recorded as Henrich Peterson, was born on August 6, 1891, in New York City, New York, the son of Jens P. Petersen and Henrietta Rasmussen. His parents were immigrants from Denmark, placing him within the first generation of a Danish-American family establishing itself in the United States.
He was raised in Brooklyn, New York, where his father worked in the produce trade. After the death of his mother in 1906, he continued to live with his family and entered the workforce at a young age, working as a produce salesman by 1910.
By 1917, Petersen had relocated to Rye, New York, residing at 75 Milton Road. At that time, he was employed as a gardener by G. W. Gallaway, reflecting the estate-based employment common in the Rye area during the early twentieth century.
World War I Service
Petersen’s World War I service was somewhat atypical in that he had already served in the United States Marine Corps prior to the nation’s full mobilization for war. At the time of his 1917 draft registration, he reported approximately two and one-half years of prior service as a Private in the Marine Corps.
This period of service likely fell in the pre-war years, when the Marine Corps was engaged in a range of overseas and expeditionary duties, including operations in the Caribbean and Central America during what has been termed the “Banana Wars.” Marines of this era were frequently deployed to protect American interests abroad, conduct security operations, and support naval forces.
Despite his prior military experience, no additional confirmed record has been identified linking Petersen to overseas service during World War I itself. It is possible that his earlier Marine Corps service satisfied his obligation, or that he remained in a civilian capacity during the war period.
His inclusion on veteran rolls and local records, however, reflects recognition of his service as part of the broader generation of men connected to the World War I era.
Life After Service
Following his military service, Petersen moved to Delaware County, New York, where he established himself as a poultry farmer in the town of Delhi. This transition reflects a shift from urban and estate-based labor to agricultural life in rural upstate New York.
On May 4, 1922, he married Hazel Jennie Hughes, and together they had three children: George Jens Petersen, Jean Henrietta Petersen, and Katherine Ann Petersen.
He remained active in his community and was recognized as a World War I veteran. His funeral was conducted with American Legion honors, underscoring his standing within the veteran community.
Henrik Petersen died on April 23, 1940, at the age of 48. Funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Delhi, New York, with burial in Woodland Cemetery.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Hazel Jennie Petersen; his children, George Jens Petersen, Jean Henrietta Petersen, and Katherine Ann Petersen; and extended family.