Marker photos courtesy of
Suzan Berndt |
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But when you trace back over the life of Mayor A. H. Petersen, the fine old gentleman who heads our local government, you have to marvel at the distance a man can travel and the things he can see and do in a short lifetime.
Still talking with a trace of the old country in his speech, Mayor Petersen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1884. Since then he has traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States and visited every state west of the Mississippi.
Now 72-years-old, the Mayor can tell you of logging ventures in Oregon, how his family operated a fish market in Denmark or how cotton was farmed in the old “mule skinnin’’ days.
“In Denmark, the fish were brought in alive and put in large tanks,” he explains. “Then, the customers came in and picked out the fish they wanted and they were scooped out of the tank with a net, as fresh as you could get them.”
Known as “Pete” to all his friends and hardly ever called “his honor,” the Mayor came to the United States with his family when he was seven years old.
“My father came over ahead of us, then we all came over in 1891.”
There were four boys and two girls in the Petersen family when it landed in New York and moved to Burlington, Iowa—“right on the Mississippi.”
Petersen doesn’t remember too much about the trip over, “except that I was on a boat,” but says he’ll never forget the Statue of Liberty.
“When you’ve been out there on a boat and are coming in to New York harbor, you really look for that thing.”
At Burlington, the Mayor’s father worked for the C. B. & Q. Railroad for four years.
In 1895 the Petersen family came to Texas and settled at Danevang to farm cotton.
“All there was out there then was prairie grass, Longhorn Steers and mosquitoes—don’t forget the mosquitoes.”
Looking back, the Mayor figures that drainage was one of the greatest hardships the early Danevang settlers had to contend with. There were no roads or ditches in the country and “sometimes it got so bad in places you couldn’t even ride a horse through them.”
Nine and a half miles south of El Campo the mayor grew to manhood, riding to school by horseback or in the surrey. The school was conducted by one teacher in the Danevang Community House with 20 to 25 students in all grades.
Completing the fifth grade, which was all that was offered, Petersen left home in 1902 and went back to the Central states. He completed his education at a Danish Lutheran College in Des Moines, Iowa when he was 21 years old.
During these young years, Mayor Petersen visited every state west of the Mississippi, working at different occupations.
In 1907 he visited at Danevang and bought his own farm, but decided he didn’t like the “bachelor” farmer’s life, so he rented the place out and left for distant places.
But the wanderlust finally wore this, and Petersen returned to marry a Danevang girl in 1908 and settled down on his farm. All his children, five girls and three boys, were born in the same old farmhouse.
Farming until 1931, he moved to El Campo and went into the café and grocery business.
In 1932, Petersen purchased the old Confectionery here and moved to Palacios. He has been in business in our community ever since and presently is owner of Petersen’s Drive Inn Café.
The Mayor’s first wife died in 1937. He remarried in 1941.
Laughing, Petersen says his first venture into politics was in the county commissioner’s race in 1946.
“I was an also ran,” he says.
But his candidacy for Mayor in the special election in 1954, called after the death of Mayor John Bowden, was successful and he was unopposed for re-election this year.
Interested in road improvements since the old Danevang days, Petersen’s big project since taking office has been to improve the streets in Palacios.
After the recent paving program, “Pete,” is driving daily over paved streets that extend to almost every residence in the Palacios city limits.
But with the successful completion of street paving, the wanderlust still has a hold on the Mayor as he looks for ways to build the town so he’ll have more streets to pave.
Here is a man that believes there is a road ahead for the person who looks for it. He’s covered a lot of territory in his day, so he ought to know.
Palacios Beacon, September 13, 1956 |
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I have moved my cafe from the Bus Station into the City Hotel Building recently occupied by the J. C. Countryman's Cafe, and invite all former patrons and friends to come in and see me in this new location. The same kind of food and the best service available will be given, and you are most cordially invited to come and see us. A. H. Petersen
Palacios Beacon, July 1, 1943 |
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Aksel Henry Petersen, 75, Mayor of the City of Palacios, died early Tuesday morning at his home.
Funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church at 2 p. m. Wednesday with the Rev. Richard E. Stone officiating. Burial was in the Danevang Cemetery, Danevang, Texas.
Mr. Petersen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 29, 1884, coming to the United States when seven years of age and moving to Palacios in 1932 from Wharton County.
After landing in New York the family moved to Burlington, Iowa, where they lived for four years. In 1895 the Petersen family came to Texas and settled at Danevang to farm cotton, here “Pete,” as he was known to his friends, grew to manhood. Completing the fifth grade, which was all the Danevang school offered, Petersen left home in 1902 and went back to the Central states. He completed his education at a Danish Lutheran College in Des Moines, Iowa when he was 21 years old.
In 1908 he married Signe Lykke and settled down on the farm he had bought in Danevang the year before. Here all of his children, five girls and three boys, were born.
Farming until 1931, he moved to El Campo and went into the café and grocery business and in 1932, he purchased the Confectionery here and moved to Palacios. He was in business in our community ever since.
The Mayor’s first wife died in 1937 and in 1941 he married Mrs. Mabel Edge.
“Mr. Pete” took over the mayor’s office in 1954 in a special election called after the death of John D. Bowden and since that time has continually worked for the betterment of Palacios. It has been said many times that “Mayor Pete” had done more for Palacios, for less, than any Mayor Palacios has ever had. With the City’s interest always at heart, his record of progress for the city in his two terms of office may never be surpassed.
Goal after goal he set—and each fulfilled. ”Mr. Pete” still had another goal in his mind as he had filed for re-election just prior to his death.
His accomplishments for the city were many. To name a few: and in doing all this has kept the city in the “black” as far as finance is concerned. We are sure we failed to mention many of the projects completed. He had plans to rid the city of the debt outstanding on the city owned hospital—but then death. His family requested those who remembered him to send a contribution to furnish a room in his honor in the new Wagner General Hospital a fund set up at the City State Bank of Palacios, or to the Hospital Administrator T. E. Seigler, Box 910, Bay City.
There is nothing more to be said for a man who had a job to do—uncompleted in his belief—than it was superbly done.
He is survived by his wife, Mabel; daughters, Laura Seale, Port Lavaca; Jean Mickelson, El Campo, Ruth Glaros, Houston; Ann Lee Petersen and Elnora Oglesby, Palacios; sons, Leo, Bay City; Erick, Wharton, and Irvin, Palacios; sister, Mrs. Dan Hanley, Solvang, Calif.; brothers, Erick and William, Lompac, Calif., and Jacke, Ben, Oregon, and 15 grand children.
Palacios Beacon, February 18, 1960
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Funeral services for Mrs. Signe K. Petersen, were held Saturday
afternoon in the Lutheran Church at Danevang, conducted by Rev. A.
E. Frost and Rev. G. F. Gillespie, and interment made in the
cemetery near by under the direction of the Wheeler Funeral Home of
El Campo.
The deceased was born June 23, 1890 and died March 17, 1937. She is
survived by her husband, A. H. Petersen, five daughters, Mrs. Paul
Taylor, of El Campo, Jean, Anna Lee, Ruth and Elnora and three sons,
Leo, Eric and Irvin. She was a devoted wife and mother, her every
desire being how to served and do for her family.
Since coming to Palacios a few years ago she became interested in
the business life of our city, also civic and social as well as the
church and endeared herself in many ways to all our people, who
extend deepest sympathy to the bereaved. Palacios Beacon, March 25, 1937
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Laura Petersen Adams died Aug. 2, 1987 in Houston. She was born Aug. 27 1914 in Danevang, TX. She was a member of the Memorial Drive First Presbyterian Church since March 1964. She held many positions on the Board of Presbyterian Women, Circle Chairman, Flowers Committee, Sewing Group, The Wednesday Evening Couples Bible Study Group, Community Ministry Leader, Charter member of the Monday Afternoon Bible Study Group. Survivors include husband, Dick Adams; children, Gerald and Janet Taylor of The Woodlands, Dr. Paul Taylor of Austin, Laura Ann Seale Farley of Austin, and Wayne and Virginia Adams Miller of Baytown; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Leo and Mary Petersen of Bay City, Clifford and Jean Mickelson of El Campo, Ann Lee Petersen of Palacios, Ruth Blanton of Houston, Curley and Elnora Oglesby of Palacios, Dorothy Petersen of Houston, Irvin and Leatha Petersen of Palacios and numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held on Aug. 4 at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston with Dr. Jac Ruffin and Dr. Lawrence Johnson officiating. Burial followed in the Petersen family plot in Danevang. Pallbearers were Michael Glaros, Dr. William Glaros, Terry Oglesby, Donald Petersen, Jim Petersen, Tommy Michelson, and Brent Petersen. In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions to Laura Petersen Adams Memorial Fund, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston. Palacios Beacon, August 19, 1987
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Jean Mickelson died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, December 26, 2003, after an extended illness. She was born on June 13, 1917 in Danevang, TX to the late Axel and Signe Lykke Petersen. She married Clifford Mickelson on October 21, 1938. They share their lives for 58 years, until his death in 1996. Jean was devoted to her husband, their two children and five grandchildren. She is survived by son Tom Mickelson & wife Nancy of Richmond, their children Edward Mickelson, his wife Marie and daughter Anne of Pearland, and Carrie Mickelson and husband Tim of Fort Collins, Colorado; her daughter Rita Hancock and husband John, their children Trey Hancock and wife Robin of Austin, Heather Hancock of Austin and Susanna Hancock Murray and husband Matthew of San Antonio; sisters Ruth Blanton of Houston and Elnora Oglesby of Palacios; and brother Irvin Petersen of Palacios. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Laura Adams and Ann Lee Petersen; and brothers Leo Petersen and Erick Petersen. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church which was a big part of her life. She was a special life member of the United Methodist Women. She was also a Sunshine Lady at El Campo Memorial Hospital. Family & friends were Jean's love and joy. She was a positive thinking person. She shared with her good friend, Rachel Nilson the idea that if you can not say something good about someone, you should not say anything at all. She love spending time with her many friends, especially if it included playing bridge or dancing. She loved the outdoors, gardening, walking and most of all playing with her grandchildren. She planted trees and flowers everywhere she went. She always enjoyed the time she spent with her sisters and brothers. Visitation will begin on Saturday at 11:00 a. m. at Triska Funeral Home. Services will be held on Sunday at 2:00 p. m. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Joyce McCormick officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park under the direction of Triska Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of El Campo, or to El Campo Hospice.
Victoria Advocate, December 27, 1003 |
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Funeral services for Ann Lee Petersen, 76, of Palacios, were
scheduled for 2 p. m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, 1996 at the First
Presbyterian Church in Palacios with Rev. Karl Choate and Rev. W. S.
“Doug” Blanton officiating. Burial will follow at the Danevang
Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Miss Petersen was born January 24, 1919 in Danevang, Tx., the fourth
child of eight children born to Signe Katrina Lykke and Axel Henry
Petersen. She died Jan. 21, 1996 in Bay City.
Ann Lee, a resident of Palacios since 1940, had been co-owner of
Petersen’s Restaurant in Palacios for over 50 years, serving the
public and many friends with good food and caring service.
She is survived by three sisters, Jean Mickelson of El Campo, Ruth
Blanton of Houston and Elnora Oglesby of Palacios; a brother, Irvin
Petersen of Palacios; 10 nephews; and seven nieces. She was preceded
in death by a sister, Laura, in 1987, and two brothers, Erick
Petersen in 1972 and Leo Petersen in 1994.
Pallbearers will be Ann Lee’s nephews, Brent Petersen, Terry
Oglesby, Gerald Wayne Taylor, Paul Taylor, Larry Taylor and Jim
Petersen. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Glaros, Donald Petersen,
Michael Glaros, Tommy Mickelson and Tracy Hooker.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church,
1903 E. Bayshore Dr., Palacios, Tx. 77465. Palacios Beacon, January 24, 1996
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Funeral services for Elnora A. Oglesby, 87, of Palacios, Tx., will
be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2010 at the First Presbyterian
Church of Palacios with Rev. Andy Blair officiating. Interment will
follow at Danevang Cemetery in Danevang, Tx.. The Palacios Beacon, March 3, 2010
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PALACIOS - Irvin T. Petersen, 85,
passed away June 7, 2011 at his home. He was born July 11, 1925 in
Danevang to the late Axel Petersen and Signe Lycke Petersen. He
moved to Palacios in 1930 and graduated from high school in 1943.
Irvin joined the Navy in 1944. After the service he attended the
University of Houston and graduated in 1950 with a degree in
business management. He joined his sister, Ann Lee Petersen, as
co-owner of Petersen's Restaurant in 1950 and remained there for
over 50 years.
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The progress of man is clocked off in thousands of years and isn’t
really phenomenal when you take in consideration the length of time
it took us to get where we are.
