Peter Thome

Peter Thome was born in 1846 in Clinton County, Michigan, the son of August (1817-1901) and Eva (1822-1880).

Peter’s parents immigrated to the United States from Prussia, Germany and were married in Westphalia, Clinton County, Michigan in 1842. By 1850 the family was living in Westphalia where Peter attended school. (It is possible that his grandparents were Michael and Anna Mary Thome and that they were living next door in Westphalia in 1850.) By 1860 Peter was attending school with three of his younger siblings (his mother could not read or write) and living on the family farm in Westphalia (his father owned some $4000 in real estate). Next door lived the family of Nicholas "Thorne," probably August’s younger brother.

Peter stood 5’6’ with gray eyes, brown hair and a light complexion and was an 18-year-old farmer possibly living in Clinton County or in Grand Rapids, Kent County, when he enlisted in Company E in January 13, 1864, at Grand Rapids for 3 years, crediting Grand Rapids, and was mustered the same day.

(He is most likely also the same man listed as “Peter Horn, who reportedly enlisted in the Third Michigan infantry -- company unrecorded -- on January 13, 1864, at Grand Rapids for 3 years, and was mustered the same day, and of whom there is no further record. Nor is Peter Horn found in the Regimental descriptive rolls, the 1905 history of the Third Michigan infantry or in the Michigan Regimental history index, although he does have a military service record in the Third Michigan infantry regimental records at the National Archives. Curiously, the Old Third Association records also list his name as Peter Horn.)

He joined the Regiment on February 10, and was transferred to Company E, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He was absent sick from June 23 through September of 1864, promoted to Corporal on June 1, 1865, and was mustered out on July 5, 1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Peter eventually returned to Michigan after the war.

He was married to Michigan native Rosetta (b. 1849) in November of 1869.

By 1870 he was working as a merchant’s clerk (he owned $3000 worth of real estate) and was living with his wife in Wacoustra, Westphalia Township, Clinton County. (August was living in Westphalia in 1880.)

Peter was married a second time to Michigan native Elizabeth (1850-1911). Peter had at least seven children: Anna Maria (1870-1889), Lenora (b. 1871), Edward (b. 1874), Mary (b. 1877), Augusta (b. 1879), Frank L. (1883-1942) and Theresa (1889-1945).

By 1880 Peter (listed as “Piter Thomy”) was living with his second wife and five children in Westphalia. According to Old Third Michigan Infantry association records Old Third Peter “Horn” was reportedly living in Westphalia, Clinton County in 1888. He was living in Watertown, Clinton County in 1890. Peter may have been living in Westphalia, Clinton County by 1894. In fact he probably lived the rest of his life in Clinton County.

In 1889 he applied for and received a pension (no. 836484).

Peter was probably still living in Westphalia when he died as a widower on August 24, 1925, and was buried in St. Mary’s cemetery, Westphalia.