Benjamin Peters

Benjamin Peters

Confirmed

Father of Benjamin LaRoy “Pete” Peters Sr · 1881–1957

Born

12 December 1881 at Cedar Falls, Iowa

Died

at Sioux Rapids, Buena Vista County, Iowa, on 19 January 1957

Married

Edna Blanche Orsborn

Children

Benjamin LaRoy

Sources

11

Images

2

Research status

Research status: CONFIRMED as the father of Benjamin LaRoy “Pete” Peters Sr. and as the son of John Peters and Sophia Herman. Two records read from their images name the link down: the 1910 census of Vernon Township, Kay County, Oklahoma, has Benjamine Peters, 28, with Edna B., 26, and their son Benjamin L. A., 4 S659, and his son’s own 1952 Railroad Retirement Board card names his father Ben Peters and his mother Edna Osborn S965. The link up is on his 1903 marriage return, read from the image, which names his parents John Peters and Sophia Hermann S791, and again on his 1957 death certificate S785.

Life in the order the records give it

Birth1881

Born 12 December 1881 at Cedar Falls, Iowa, by his own 1942 draft card S786; the 1900 census (“Bennie”, born December 1881, in Scott Township, Franklin County) S660 and the marriage return S791 agree on 1881. His death certificate and the family book “Dad Called Me Bo” (2009) say 1882 S785S1765, and the family chart prints “1881/2” S1783. Both years are shown; this card follows the records until the family says which stands.

Military—

Birthplace: Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, by the draft card, the marriage return and the family chart S786S791S1783; one page of the family book says Black Hawk County, another says Scott Township, Franklin County, where he grew up and married S1765. Both are shown.

Residence1910

The family moved with the work: Vernon Township, Kay County, Oklahoma, in 1910 S659; Florida Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, in January 1920, where Edna and the children are on the census sheet after his S1052; Poland Township, Buena Vista County, Iowa, in 1930 S793; Spencer, Iowa, by 1942, with Edna Blanche Peters as his contact S786.

Burial1957

He died at Sioux Rapids, Buena Vista County, Iowa, on 19 January 1957 and is buried in Marathon Cemetery S785. The family book has a 1924 photograph of him and Edna and remembers visits to them at Marathon S1765. See the Peters–Hermann line.

Family parents, marriages, children, siblings

Marriage1903

Married Edna Blanche Orsborn, 19, on 1 April 1903 at Alexander, Franklin County, Iowa; he was 22 S791. The family chart adds that the wedding was at the residence of Ray Pence, Meservey, by the Rev. J. C. Shirk S1783; the officiant has not yet been checked on the image of the return.

Children1904

Children, from the census pages and the family chart S659S1052S1783: Eva M. (about 1904), Benjamin LaRoy (12 October 1905), Clifford L. (1907), Hazel F. (1910, Oklahoma) and Russell Ray (1919, South Dakota). Their own dates are on LaRoy’s card.

Marriage2009

His grandson LaRoy Peters and LaRoy’s wife Adelaine compiled a family book, “Dad Called Me Bo” (2009), and his great-granddaughter LaVonne Danielson reported what it says of him and Edna on 12 October 2026 (moved here from his son’s card on 14 October 2026) S1765: his wife Edna Blanche Orsborn Peters, born 7 May 1884 in Indiana; himself, born 12 December 1882 in Black Hawk County, Iowa; married 1 April 1903 at Franklin, Iowa. The records agree on Edna’s birth S784, on the marriage S791 and on the place, Cedar Falls being in Black Hawk County. They differ on the year of his birth: the book and the 1957 death certificate say 1882 S785; his own 1942 draft card, the 1900 census and the marriage return say 1881 S786S660. Both years are shown here; the dates on this card follow the records until the family says which stands. The page of the book that prints these statements has since been read, as the notes below say.

Parents1924

The book disagrees with itself on where he was born. The 1924 photograph page says he was born on 12 December 1882 “in Blackhawk County, Iowa”; the “My Father” page says he “was born in Scott Township, Iowa” (Franklin County) S1765. The records read here give Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, and the year 1881 S786S660; the dates and places on this card follow those records, and the book’s two statements are shown beside them until the family says which stands. Scott Township is where he grew up and married.

Children2026

A compiled family chart of his household, sent on 13 October 2026 by LaVonne Danielson, his great-granddaughter, (moved here from his son’s card on 14 October 2026) sets out the whole family S1783 Confirmed. He was born 12 December “1881/2” at Cedar Falls, Iowa, died about 1957 at Sioux Rapids, Buena Vista County; his wife Edna Blanche Orsborn, born 7 May 1884 at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, died about 1942 at Marathon. They were married on 1 April 1903 at Alexander, Franklin County, and the chart adds where and by whom: “at the residence of Ray Pence, Meservey, Iowa”, by the Rev. J. C. Shirk. The records already read here agree on every one of these and give the exact days: the marriage return S791, her death on 17 July 1942 at Spencer Hospital with burial at Marathon S784, and his on 19 January 1957 at Sioux Rapids S785. The chart does not choose between 1881 and 1882 for his birth; it prints both. It gives Cedar Falls as his birthplace, as the records do.

Parents2026

History of this card. 14 Oct 2026

card made from the records already cited on his son’s and parents’ cards (S659, S660, S785, S786, S791, S965, S1052, S1765, S1783); until this day he was described on those cards only. Later on 14 Oct 2026 — three notes about him and Edna moved here from his son’s card (PETERS-CARDS-1014); his parents’ parents have cards from the same day.

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"Dad Called Me Bo" (2009), family book compiled by LaRoy Peters and Adelaine Peters; contributed by LaVonne Danielson, 13 Oct 2026 · S1765 — page photograph page

Family book (page) · 2009

Confirmed because family book page read from the photograph; a grandson's compilation, not a record; the year 1924 is the printed heading's.

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In the record Generation 5 — Kristin's great-great-grandparents

1. S6591910 U.S. census — Vernon township, Kay County, Oklahoma, ED 71, sheet 9A, dwelling 187. Ancestry record 169535935. Image examined, read 26 September 2026. Confirmed Benjamine Peters, 28, farmer, born Iowa of German-born parents, married 7 years; Edna B., 26, born Indiana; Eva M., 6; Benjamin L. A., son, 4, born Iowa; Clifford L., 2. With the 1903 Franklin County marriage return this joins LaRoy Peters to both parents on records, not on a tree.
2. S6601900 U.S. census — Scott Township, Franklin County, Iowa, ED 140, sheet 1, dwelling 18. Ancestry record 14339332. Image examined, read 26 September 2026. Probable Louis Peters, born March 1874, Iowa, parents born Germany, with his wife Carrie and his brother “Bennie”, born December 1881, Iowa, a farm labourer. No parents are named on this sheet; that this Bennie is Benjamin Peters rests on the township, the German-born parents and the 1881 year the 1903 marriage return also gives.
3. S784Iowa death certificate: Edna Blanch Peters, died Spencer, Clay County, 17 July 1942. Ancestry record 547060. Image examined in the Stage 2 reading, 26 September 2026. Confirmed Edna Blanch Peters, wife of Ben Peters, born 7 May 1884 at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, died 17 July 1942 at Spencer Hospital; buried 20 July 1942 in Marathon Cemetery. Parents given as John Osburn, born England, and Minnie Howard. Informant: Mrs. Hazel Peterson of Rembrandt. The 1903 marriage return names her mother Armenia Howard; Minnie is read as a short form of Armenia. Collection: Iowa, U.S., Death Records.
4. S785Iowa death certificate 114-57-00227: Benjamin Peters, died Sioux Rapids, 19 January 1957. Ancestry record 750938128. Image examined in the Stage 2 reading, 26 September 2026. Confirmed Benjamin Peters, a widowed farmer, died 19 January 1957 at Sioux Rapids Hospital, Buena Vista County; buried 21 January in Marathon Cemetery. Father John Peters, mother Sophia Herman. It gives his birth as 12 December 1882; his own draft card (S786), the 1900 census and the marriage return all say 1881. Collection: Iowa, U.S., Death Records.
5. S786U.S. WWII draft registration, 1942, serial U-269, Clay County, Iowa: Ben Peters. Ancestry record 18030135. Image examined in the Stage 2 reading, 26 September 2026. Confirmed Ben Peters, R.F.D. 1, Spencer, born 12 December 1881 at Cedar Falls, Iowa, aged 60, working for M. E. DeWolf at the DeWolf Turkey Farm; contact Edna Blanche Peters, same address. Signed by him. His own statement of his birth, which settles the 1881/1882 question in favour of 1881 and gives the day. Collection: U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942.
6. S791Franklin County, Iowa, return of marriages 1903, licence 1501: Benjamin Peters and Edna B. Orsborn. Ancestry record 903647093. Image examined in the Stage 2 reading, 26 September 2026. Confirmed Benjamin Peters, 22, born Cedar Falls, farmer of Alexander, son of John Peters and Sophia Hermann, married Edna B. Orsborn, 19, born Lawrenceburg, Indiana, daughter of John W. Orsborn and Armenia Howard, at Alexander on 1 April 1903, by J. C. Shirk, M.G.; witnesses Ray and Nettie Pence. The site had this marriage from a transcript; this is the image of the return. Collection: Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880–1950.
7. S7931930 U.S. census, Poland Township, Buena Vista County, Iowa, ED 11-19, sheet 3A, dwelling 57: Benjamin Peters household. Ancestry record 120829961. Image examined in the Stage 2 reading, 26 September 2026. Confirmed Benjamin, 48, head, farm labourer, renting, first married at 21; Edna B., 45, born Indiana, first married at 18, her father born England; their son Russell R., 10, born South Dakota; and two young granddaughters. The ages at first marriage agree with 1903. The granddaughters are not named on this site. Collection: 1930 United States Federal Census.
8. S965U.S. Railroad Retirement Board employee registration card (Form CER-1) — Benjamin LaRoy Peters, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, signed 26 February 1952. Ancestry record 119371. Image examined in the Stage 2 reading, 24 September 2026. Confirmed Benjamin LaRoy Peters, signed “B L Peters”, 1032 No. Duluth Ave., Sioux Falls; age 46; born 12 October 1905 at Alexander, Iowa; father Ben Peters, living; mother's name before marriage Edna Osborn, dead. Carman for the C.St.P.M.&O. Ry. Co. (the Omaha Road) at Sioux Falls, entered service February 1952. He was his own informant. His mother's maiden name is spelled Osborn here; her 1903 marriage return reads Orsborn, and the site keeps Orsborn. Social Security number not transcribed. Collection: U.S., Chicago and North Western Railroad Employment Records, 1935–1970 (db 6944, image 42035_520307001_0144-02246).
9. S10521920 United States Federal Census — Florida Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, E.D. 201, sheet 8A. Ancestry record 48255115. Image examined in the Stage 2 reading, 24 September 2026. Confirmed 30 January 1920: continuing a Peters household from the previous sheet, Edna B., wife, 35, born Indiana; Eva M., daughter, 16, born Iowa; La Roy B., son, 14, born Iowa, at school; Clifford L., son, 12, born Iowa; Hazel F., daughter, 9, born Oklahoma; Russell R., son, 3 months, born South Dakota; the father of every child born Iowa. The head (indexed as Ben Peters, 37) is on sheet 7B, which has not been read; the surname is carried over from that sheet.
10. S1765Family book — “Dad Called Me Bo” (2009), compiled by LaRoy Peters and his wife Adelaine and given to members of the family. Reported to this record through the “Add to this record” form on 12 October 2026 by LaVonne Danielson, a niece of the compiler, who sent a photograph of the cover and the facts below in her own words, and on 13 October 2026 photographs of four pages. Those four pages have been read by us from her photographs; the rest of the book has not been seen. Confirmed As relayed: Edna Blanche Orsborn Peters, born 7 May 1884 in Indiana; her husband Benjamin Peters, born 12 December 1882 in Black Hawk County, Iowa; married 1 April 1903 at Franklin, Iowa. Julia (Gyri) Lone, born 22 April 1870; she and Mons Selland came to America in 1889 and were married on 18 May 1899 at Madison, South Dakota. A family compilation made a century after the events. By Earl Proeger’s decision of 13 October 2026, what LaVonne Danielson contributes to this record is taken as verified, and the book’s statements that no other record carries are entered as Confirmed on the family’s account. Where the book and a record differ, neither is overwritten: both are shown on the cards. It agrees with the records on Edna’s birth (S784), on the 1903 marriage (S791) and on the 1889 arrival (S989). It differs on two dates: Benjamin Peters’s own 1942 draft card says 1881, not 1882 (S786); and the Røldal baptism taken to be Julia’s says 22 January 1870, where the book says 22 April and the 1900 census says April (S1128). The 1899 marriage date and place are on no record read so far. The four pages read on 13 October 2026 print the same statements and add: Benjamin L. Peters born 12 October 1905 in Scott Township, Franklin County, Iowa; Selma Gertrude Selland born 1 October 1903 on a farm near Clear Lake, South Dakota (agrees with S813); their marriage on 16 November 1925 in the Lutheran church at Brandt, South Dakota (agrees with S774), a move to Chicago and then to Marathon, Iowa; Mons T. Selland born at Røldal in May 1868 (agrees with S74); both Sellands arriving by the port of New York; their farm in the Hidewood Valley south-west of Clear Lake; and the name Selland explained as “Sjoland”. Chicago is also where the 1938 baptism register puts the births of the two eldest children (S236); the port, the farm’s place and the name are on no other record read so far. The book gives two birthplaces for the elder Benjamin Peters, Black Hawk County on one page and Scott Township on another.
11. S1783Compiled family chart — “Family: Benjamin Peters / Edna Blanche Orsborn (F492)”, in the “Toni Walker Family Tree” on Canadian Families, a website hosted by Ontario Ancestors (the Ontario Genealogical Society). ontariofamilyhistory.org, family F492, tree 93228; pages last modified 22 January 2025. Sent to this record on 13 October 2026 by LaVonne Danielson, a great-granddaughter of the couple, who had it from a relative. Read by us on 13 October 2026: the group sheets of this family, of both sets of parents (F20, F585) and of the children’s own families, and the person pages. Confirmed Benjamin Peters, born 12 December “1881/2” at Cedar Falls, Iowa, died about 1957 at Sioux Rapids, son of John Charles Johann Peters and Sophia Herman; Edna Blanche Orsborn, born 7 May 1884 at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, died about 1942 at Marathon, daughter of John W. Orsborn and Arimena (Minnie) Howard; married 1 April 1903 at Alexander, Franklin County, “at the residence of Ray Pence, Meservey, Iowa”, by the Rev. J. C. Shirk; five children, Eva M., Benjamin La Roy, Clifford L., Hazel F. and Russell Ray. A compiled tree, not a record: it cites census pages, church registers and other Ancestry trees, and none of its own sources has been read here. By Earl Proeger’s decision of 13 October 2026, what LaVonne Danielson contributes to this record is taken as verified, and what the chart alone carries is entered as Confirmed on the family’s account. Where the chart and a record read here disagree, both are shown and the record stands: John W. Orsborn’s birth (chart 1852, Kentucky; his own 1921 statement 1 June 1848, Cleves, Ohio, S1075), Frank Peters’s death (chart 21 September 1931; certificate 2 September, S1009) and the child of 12 March 1884 (chart a daughter, Clara; birth return a son, S998). It prints both 1881 and 1882 for Benjamin Peters’s birth and so settles nothing between them. Living people on the chart are shown there only as “Living” and are not taken from it.