Michael A. Peterman

     Michael A. was born on Saturday, 23 September 1837 in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio.¹ 1860, Michael was listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Whetstone Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were Michael Peterman [21 Ohio] - living with Aaron Decker as a farm laborer.² 8 July 1870, the U.S. Federal Census listed Michael living in the home of his brother at Waterton Township, Dekalb County, Indiana. Enumerated in this household were John Peterman [37 Ohio], Elenor [39 Ohio], Olive [14 Ohio] Michael [34 Ohio] & John W Anthony[4 Indiana]. John was a plastere. His real estate was valued at $1000 & his personal estate at $400. Michael was a carpenter.³ Michael married Amelia Stremmel, daughter of George Ludwig Stremmel and Frederika Feiring, on 10 April 1872 in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio.⁴ Michael and his brother John were wagon masters on a train during the Gold Rush years. When John's wife, who had accompanied them on the trip, became ill, the couple returned home. Michael remained with the train, but by the time they reached Missouri, he too had taken ill. Michael was taken into the home of the nortorious James brothers and nursed back to health. Upon recovering, Michael also returned home. Before marrying, Michael was the owner of a saloon, as well as a butcher shop in the city of Bucyrus. Michael served in the 49th Regiment of the Ohio Infantry during the Civil War. While in the civil war, he went into GA. As a result he had dysentary for the rest of his life. His pension was $10 a month.
After the war, he was also known as a carpenter. Michael was described as a rather tall man of about six feet in heighth, blue eyes, brown hair, and light complexion.⁵ Michael's wife, Amelia, died on 12 December 1876 in her home, Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio, leaving him a widower.⁶ 24 June 1880, Michael was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Bucyrus. Enumerated in this household were Michael Peterman [42 Ohio][butcher], his children: William [7 Ohio], Cora [6 Ohio], Amanda [4 Ohio], his father, Michael Peterman [83 Pennsylvania], his mother, Sarah [69 Ohio], and his housekeeper, Martha Grall [32 Ohio].⁷ Michael married 2nd Martha Firestone on 16 April 1885 in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, at the Methodist Parsonage. Martha was first married to Mr. Grall.⁸ 1 June 1900, Michael and his wife, Martha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were Michael A. Peterman [62 Ohio - September 1837], his wife: Martha [57 Pennsylvania - April 1843], children: Cora [25 Ohio - November 1874] & Amanda [23 Ohio - October 1876], grandchildren: Ella Nelson [13 Ohio - March 1887] & Clarence Nelson [11 Ohio - August 1889]. They were married 15 years. She had two children, both living.⁹ 18 May 1910, Michael and his wife, Martha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were Michael A. Peterman [72 Pennsylvania] & his wife: Martha [67 Pennsylvania], He was 35 years old when first married & she was 25 years old. She had two children, none living.¹⁰ Michael died on Thursday, 21 August 1913 in Liberty Township at the Peterman family farm at age 75 years, 10 months and 29 days of prostrate cancer at 6:10 pm.


Obituary - “LIGHTS OUT” FOR CIVIL WAR VETERAN – Call of Taps Sounds for Michael A. Peterman – Born in Liberty Township – And Nearly Entire Life of 75 Years Spent Within Confines of That Township – An Excellent Gentleman With Many Warm Friends – Funeral Saturday, Burial Here.
Michael A. Peterman, a veteran of the Civil War and one of the oldest living residents of Liberty Township of which he was a native, died at his home five miles east and one mile north of Bucyrus on Thursday evening at 5:40, aged 75 years, ten months and 28 days. Death was due largely to infirmities incident to his years. Mr. Peterman had been in failing health for the past year, but was not seriously ill until three weeks ago when he had a bad attack from which he temporarily recovered. A week ago he again took to the bed and was unable to leave it again. Funeral servics at 1 p.m. Saturday at the late home in Liberty Township, Rev. Lilly of North Robinson officiating. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Bucyrus. Keller post G. A. G. has been asked to participate in the services at the grave.
Michael A. Peterman was born in Liberty Township, on the farm on which he died, the date of his birth being Sept. 23, 1837. He was a son of Michael and Sarah Richley [sp Ridgely] Peterman. His entire life was spent on the farm with the exception of a year in the army and eight years in Bucyrus when he was in the meat business with Nathaniel Steen under the firm name of Steen & Peterman. He enlisted in Co. C 49^th O. V. I. and served one year, receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term. Mr. Peterman’s first marriage was to Amelia Stremmel to whom he was married on April 19, 1872. She died on Dec. 12, 1876. Of their marriage three children survive. William L. Peterman and Cora E., wife of Sidney McCurdy, both of Liberty Township and Amanda A. wife of John Blackford of Sandusky Township. There are eight grandchildren. His second marriage was to the Martha Firestone on April 16, 1885 the wife surviving. There are three sisters and one brother living: John Peterman of Popular Street, Elizabeth Peterman of Sulphur Springs, Mrs. Sarah Dutton of Continental and Mrs. Isabel Hubbard of Bowling Green. Mr. Peterman was an honorable gentleman and esteemed by all who knew him. His life was a long and useful one and he steadfastly followed the principle of doing unto others as he himself would be done by. His life record is a creditable one and one which his children can remember with pride. Though he had reached the age when it was realized that the end of his journey could not be far away, his death brings deep regret to his children and to his many friends, by whom he was highly valued. [Bucyrus Journal 8/29/1913].¹¹



He was buried there in Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday, 23 August 1913. He was buried in 3694 Section C Lot 14.