The Peterson Families of Buena Vista County, Iowa

HON. HOLVER H. PETERSON.

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They were eight weeks on the Atlantic and Holver H. Peterson is now the only living man who came from Norway to America in 1839. At that day voyages were never made across the water for pleasure, business interests prompted them at all times or the desire for religious or jxilitieal lilterty and it was the hope of having better opportunities in the new world that led Holver Peterson to bring his family to the Tuited States. They first located at Jefferson Prairie in Rock comity. Wisconsin, where they lived four years. The father then opened up a farm in that county. fipon that place he reared his family and both he and his wife died there. There home was in a frontier settlement when they located in Wisconsin. The land was largely unimproved and the forests uncut. The homes of the settlers were mostly built of logs and were heated with fire-places, while other furnishings were just as primitive.

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P.iiena Vista county. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Elk township and opened up a new farm, which he improved, making it an attractive place, well equipped with good Iniildiugs and the accessories of modern farming life. Later he removed to Alta, where he engaged in merchandising and afterward sold his farm and rural interests. He continued to conduct the store for about five years when he sold out and now lives retired. He owns land in Minnesota, near Crookston, and his residence property in Alta.

In 1903 Mr. Peterson was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in that year. Seven of their children are yet living: Bessie, the wife of Harley Olson, of Alta; Henry, who is married and is clerking in this town; Mary, the wife of Warren McBride, of Washington township; Sever, living at Crookston, Minnesota; John, of Alta; Sarah, the wife of Paul Poison, a traveling man, living in Alta; Peter, now of Nebraska. Esther, now deceased, was at one time a teacher of this county. Carrie, who also engaged in teaching, has passed away, while another child, Knute, died at the age of eight years.

Mr. Peterson has long been recognized as a man of good business ability and of true integrity and worth. He has never been known to walter in any course that he has believed to be right, and his success is the result of careful management and honest achievement.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The Scandinavian country lias furnished to northwestern Iowa an intelligent and progressive citizenship.:Many of the sons of Norway and Sweden have come to this part of the country, and with characteristic thrift and perseverance have labored to achieve success, their ei?orts resulting in the development of Buena Vista county along lines of modern improvement.

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]Mr. and Jlrs. Peterson were the parents of the following children: Charles, who was born in Sweden, is now married and follows farming in Cherokee county. Jennie is the wife of N. Winneberg, of Ida county, Iowa. Oscar is a farmer of Silver township, Cherokee county; Victor is operating the home farm; Laura is the wife of Oscar Cattong, a farmer of Cherokee county; Ernest follows general agricultural pursuits near Galva, Iowa; Ida and Emma are at home. They also lost two children in early childhood.

Mr. Peterson is an independent voter, casting his ballot for the candidates whom he thinks best (qualified for office without regard to party affiliation. He has been closely identified with the school interests of Cherokee county and was also road supervisor. He is a member of the Free Jlission church and his influence is always on the side of right,.justice and truth. He can tell many interesting incidents concerning the early days when this part of the state was practically destitute of railroads, when its homes were widely scattered and when its settlers had to face many obstacles and difficulties in order to carry on farming on the frontier, ilr. Peterson has borne all of the trials meted out to the frontier settler, but he worked on diligently and persistently and never allowed himself to become discouraged or disheartened. He hauled the lumber for his largest house eighteen miles, for there was no nearer source of supply. He has rejoiced in what has been accomplished in the county, nor has he ever had occasion to regret that he did not remain in his native land, for he recognizes the fact that he has had better business opportunities than he could have secured in Sweden, and while he has worked hard and persistently, he has ultimately gained a measure of prosperity that now brings to him all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

B. A. PETERSON.

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111 June, 1908, occurred the marriage of B. A. Peterson and Miss YilheIllliIla Sweiison. Mr. Peterson is a republican in his political views, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Carl Peterson, junior member of the firm of B. A. Peterson Company, is also a native of Sweden and when nineteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He performed the duties of clerk in a store at Alta, Iowa, until he entered upon his present business connection. His views on politics and religion are the same as those of his brother, and both young men are numbered among the energetic, enterprising and progressive citizens of Buena Vista county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.