Peter Sodja
The Payette Independent
Thursday, May 27, 1926
Peter Sodja was born in Austria on June 20, 1866 and died at his home after a long illness on May 20, 1926. He came to the United States when he was 17 years of age. On July 26, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Zagar of Butte, Montana. To this union 12 children were born, nine of whom are still living and who were at his bedside during the last weeks of his long illness. They are Mrs. H. Van Valkenberg of New Plymouth, Peter Sodja of Butte, Montana; Joe Sodja of Portland, Oregon; Rudolph, Frank, Edward, William, Rose and Jane, all of Payette. His wife died the 6th of December, 1922. Funeral services were held from the Catholic church in Payette on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock conducted by the Rev. Father Ryan, of Weiser. Interment in Riverside cemetery. The sympathy of the entire community goes out in the bereaved children.
Payette Enterprise (Thursday, May 27, 1926)
Peter Sodja, a prominent rancher and fruit grower died at his home two miles northeast of Payette last Thursday, May 20th, following an illness of several months, his condition however was not serious until a short time before his death. Mr. Sodja was one of the enterprising farmers of that section, highly respected for his honesty and square dealings. He was a hard worker and a good neighbor and his presence will be keenly missed by his neighbors and many friends. His death was apparently due to complications of trouble.
Mr. Sodja was born in Austria June 20, 1866, and came to America when but seventeen years of age and settled in Butte, Montana, where on July 26th, 1891, he was united in marriage to Barbara Zagar. To this union twelve children were born, nine of whom are now living and were all present at the time of their father's death.
Mr. Sodja came to Payette with his family in 1907, purchasing at that time their present home northeast of Payette, where they continued to live and where his wife died September 6th, 1923. He is survived by six sons and three daughters, Mrs. R. H. Van Valkenberg of New Plymouth, Peter Sodja of Butte, Montana; Joe Sodja of Portland, Rudolph, Frank, Edward, William, Jane and Rose of Payette. He is also survived by six grand-children.
The funeral was held Saturday, May 22nd, at 2:30 from the Catholic Church conducted by Father Ryan of Weiser which was largely attended and where many beautiful floral offerings spoke in terms of high regard. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery in the family lot beside his wife who preceded him in death nearly three years ago.
