After Mrs Viebrock died in 1925 Fred along with his youngest son LD. continued to farm the homestead . The crops as well as their animals show the results of their labor. Their horses were well fed and cared for . They were frisky and had a tendency to run if given the chance, it was necessary to have the reins in hand at all times. LD had cut hay in the forenoon and had unhitched the horses by the barn . He had left the cutting bar up about a foot high and the mower in gear. After lunch LD and his father was hitching the horses back to the mower. Fred had grasped the horses bits while L,D. fastened the tugs to the double tree. Three of the four tugs had been fastened when a large horse fly landed on the back of one of the horses. They can make a very painful bite. The horses bolted and started to run breaking dads hold of the bridles. Because of his age Fred was not able to get out of the way of the sickle bar as it came around. Results was that both his legs were cut off at the ankles. LD picked his father up and carried him to the house but he died in his arms before he got there.
This happened in 1931 when I was twelve years old. After the funeral my dad Wm. Peterson said that the neighborly thing to do would be to help LD put up his hay crop. I tagged along as kids do and found myself driving horses on the hay loader in the field and on the hay forks at the barn. It was an extremely hot day and we soon became thirsty. The water on the Viebrock place was noted for its sulfery taste, about like drinking rotten eggs. I had heard about it but had never experienced it first hand. A pail of water was brought out along with a dipper. I was so thirsty that I thought I could drink anything as long as it was wet. What a surprise and rude awakening that was. I needed the water so I took a deep breath , held it and drank as fast as I could , a whole pint before taking another breath. Little did I know that some twenty years later I would own the farm and would have to contend with the water on a daily basis.
Frederick Viebrock { German Pronunciation "Vrebeck"] purchased land on March 11, 1863 in section 28 of Crockery Township. Mr. Viebrocks Will as copied from the abstract. Will dated Feb. 6, 1877 recorded Jan. 14 1878 Liber 35 Page 147. Last will admitted to Ottawa County Dec. 10, 1877 and Alloys Bilz appointed Administrator with Will annexed. Bond set at 2,500. Will is translated from German language. Testator devises to his youngest son Frederic Verbrock when he shall arrive at 25 years of age. The NW1/4 of SE1/4 of NW1/4 section 28 { no town nor range nor County nor State} under condition that he will pay John and Margaret each $ 200 and his stepson $50.00 and shall support my wife Margaretta.
The son Federic mentioned as beneficiary in the will is the one who had the accident as told above. His sister Margaret married Henry Klintworth. And brother John lived in the neighborhood all his life. there is an article about him in another place in this book. The stepson Pete Seba lived North east of Nunica and was 102 years old when he died in January 1986.
The above parcel of land was handed down over the years as follows.
United Sates Government to Ann Kibby Oct, 22 1853
Ann Kibby to Frederick Vrebeck March 11, 1863
Frederick Vrebeck{Viebrock} Estate to Frederick Viebrock Jan. 27, 1891
Frederick Viebrock {deceased} to Son L.D. Viebrock August 1, l934
L.D. Viebrock to William T. Peterson and Clinton E Peterson April 9, 1953
William Peterson to Clinton E. Peterson May 6, 1966