William Petersen (1816–1871)

William Petersen was born in Hanover, Germany, on August 16, 1816, and emigrated in 1841 at age 25. He became a U.S. citizen within five years. He worked as a tailor on Pennsylvania Avenue for most of his life. On the night of the assassination, William was at home. Upon hearing the commotion outside, he welcomed the dying president into his house. He continued to live in the building until his death on June 18, 1871, from an overdose of laudanum. His body was found on the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution. Both he and his wife are buried in the German-American Prospect Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.