Ilion High School - Class of 1916

Utica Observer Dispatch - August 29, 1977

Justice Carl W. Peterson

Article 4

Justice Carl W. Peterson

Justice Carl W. Peterson, 79, of 15 Bushnell St., Mohawk, formerly of Ilion, retired supreme court Justice of N.Y.S. and past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the state of New York, died Sunday.

Justice Peterson was born on March 16, 1898 in Ilion, the son of Peter and Mary Jorgensen Peterson. He graduated from Ilion Central High School in 1916 and attended Cornell University and Albany Law School, graduating in 1922 He was admitted to the N. Y. S. Bar on March 15, 1923. He served in the U S Navy Reserve in World War I. On August 22, 1927, he married Anna Fisher in Ilion. She died December 16, 1972. He later married Dorothy Cleveland Carter on May 22, 1974 in Poughkeepsie.

Justice Peterson was a partner in the law firm of Schmidt and Peterson in Ilion. In 1930, he was elected District Attorney of Herkimer County, serving in that office fifteen years. In 1945, he was elected County Judge and Surrogate of Herkimer County serving seven years in that office. In 1952, he was elected Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, fifth Judicial District. In 1966, he was re-elected.

Justice Peterson was a member of St Augustine's Episcopal Church, Ilion, and a vestryman for over twenty years. He was Past Master of Ilion Lodge 591, F & AM, a 33rd Degree Mason, and past commander of the Ilion Memorial Post No. 920 American Legion. He was also a member of the Royal Arch Masons, Knights of Templar in Little Falls, Yahnundasis Scottish Rite Bodies of Utica, Ilion Lodge No 1444 B.P.O.E., Cedar Lake Club, Herkimer County Bar Association. New York State Bar Association. American Bar Association, Red Cross of Constantine and Royal Order of Scotland. He was a past president of the Herkimer County Bar Association, Herkimer County Historical Society and the Conversation Club of Ilion. He served as director of the following: Ilion Hospital, Ilion Cemetery Association, Herkimer County Tuberculosis and Public Health Association, and the Ilion National Bank & Trust Co. He was a former member of the Executive Board General Herkimer Council Boy Scouts of America and Board of Trustees Herkimer County YMCA. He has served as chairman of Ilion Red Cross and Herkimer County Chairman of American Legion Boys' State. He was also a past Potentate of Ziyara Temple-Nobles of Mystic Shrine

Justice Peterson is survived by his wife, Dorothy: one son. Carl W. Peterson, Jr. former Corporation Counsel for the city of Syracuse: one sister, Mabel C. Peterson of Ilion, two grandsons, Carl W. Peterson III and David Peterson.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Ilion with the Rev. George Greene officiating Calling hours at the Applegate Funeral Home in Ilion are Tuesday 7-9. Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.. The Ilion Elks Service is 8:15 p.m Tuesday. The Ilion American Legion service is 8:30 p.m., Tuesday. The Masonic service is 8:45 p.m., Wednesday.

Friends are asked to consider contributions in memory of Justice Carl W Peterson to the "Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund", 71 W. 23rd St. New York, NY. 10010. or the memorial fund of the St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Ilion.