The Peterson Families of Henry County, Illinois

JOHN H. PETERSON.

John H. Peterson was but a boy when his father's family came to the colony of Bishop Hill, but he had some insight into the struggles that confronted those sturdy men and women, and throughout the period of his early manhood had to toil himself that he might raise the debt with which his land was burdened when the colony was incorporated into a village. The task that was set before him was accomplished through the application of determination united with unremitting industry, and now after having won a generous return from his labors, he has retired to enjoy the rest he so well deserves. The work of the farm, which is upon the outskirts of Bishop Hill, he has passed on to others, but he still makes his home in the house which holds many associations as the result of his own efforts to acquire it. He was born in Westmanland, Sweden, May 6, 1842. His father, Peter Ericson, who was a farmer, came to the United States in 1854 and joined the colony of Bishop Hill, with which he remained for about seven years. A man endowed with gigantic strength, he spent the greater part of his life working in the timber, and upon the dissolution of the colony received sixty-six acres in Galva township, to which he removed in 1861. At that time he was very poor, owing a debt to the colony more than twice the value of his farm, but he was not discouraged and set himself to accomplish the seemingly impossible and until his death, which occurred in his seventy-fifth year, he devoted himself assiduously to the cultivation of the soil.

John H. Peterson was not quite eighteen years of age when his father left the colony, and with a man's realization of the work that lay before him he called into play all his powers, his industry, his ambition and his determination to win success and a fair name from the cultivation of a farm heavily encumbered by debt. On his father's land he lived until 1897, having in the meantime not only cleared its title but also added twenty-nine acres to its area and made a number of valuable improvements which were a credit to his ability and foresight. In 1895 he bought a tract of one hundred and forty acres west of the village of Bishop Hill, to which he removed two years later, leading the home farm at that time. As for crops, he has raised corn and oats principally, and has also engaged somewhat in the stock business, raising annually from twenty to twenty-five head of cattle and from forty to sixty-five hogs, making a specialty of breeding Normandy hogs. Three years ago he retired from the active life and rents this farm, in addition to the old home one, with the exception of the house, barns and pasture, which he has retained for his own

JOHN H. PETERSON AM) l'A.Mir,Y

In Andover township, July lo, 1874, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Johnson, a daughter of Nels Johnson, a farmer of Andover township. Four daughters were born to the couple: Emma, who is the wife of Ed Edson, a farmer of Osco township; and Julia, Esther and May, who are at home. On the 17th of September, 1906, Mrs. Peterson was released from the trials of this world. She was always a devout member of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal church, being very active in its work, and her life was brought to the close with the knowledge that as a Christian woman she was entitled to all the consolation which her faith was able to afford to those who had lived in obedience to its tenets.

Mr. Peterson has ever been a stanch adherent of the principles of the republican party, evincing a deep interest in local affairs. For three years he served as school director, and was overseer of the highways while that office was elective. He belongs to the Old Settlers Association and few among its members have a greater right to claim affiliation with it, for he knew the struggles and hardships of early days, and the success of his later years entitles him to the proud distinction of being numbered among the self-made men of this republic.

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

Olof Peterson, who is one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Bishop Hill, was born in Ofvanaker Socken, Helsingland, Sweden, May 14, 1847. His father, Per Erickson, who was a native of the same place, died in Bollnas, Sweden, at the age of forty-five, and his mother, who was Miss Brita Jonson in her maidenhood, was born in Alfta Socken, and died in Bollnas, in the winter of 1867. His wife's mother, however, Christine (Jonson) Helstrom, is still living with the family upon the farm, and is yet active, although she has attained to the advanced age of eighty-six years. She is one of the original colonists, who came here in the summer of 1847, has witnessed the growth of the colony into a thriving village, while she has participated in her way in the work in which all shared during the lapse of years. Endowed with great energy and a cheerful disposition she is widely known and highly regarded, being especially held in esteem among the surviving old settlers of Bishop Hill.

Olof Peterson attended the public schools of his native land and was reared upon the home farm, which he conducted in part until he attained his majority. At the age of twenty-one he came to the United States, locating at Bishop Hill, this county. He found employment as a farm hand in Weller township for the first two years of his residence here, and then, having married, in 1870 he leased the place he now owns. It consists of one hundred and twenty acres, is well improved as the result of his own efforts, for he has reconstructed the original buildings and has added others to those which were standing when he assumed possession of the tract, and has cultivated the soil in a thorough and progressive manner. In consequence his fields exhibit the well cared for appearance that bespeaks the good farmer, while the condition of the farm's appurtenances indicates that he is a good and thrifty manager as well as a clever miller of the soil. He has won more than a competence as the result of his labors so that he may feel well repaid for the expenditure of time and energy he devoted to his fields.

On October 3, 1870, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Christine Helstrom, who died January 24, 1903. Her mother, Mrs. Christine (Jonson) Helstrom, was one of the original colonists who settled at Bishop Hill early in the summer of 1847, She now makes her home with our subject upon the farm and although she has reached the age of eighty-six years she is still quite active. Having been a resident of the county for over sixty-two years, she is widely known and universally respected and esteemed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born nine children but four died in infancy and August W. lost his life in an accident on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, November 26, 1903, at the age of twenty-nine years. Those of the family still living are: Olive C, who lives at home; Bessie C, also at home; Eric T., who is a fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, making his home at Galesburg, Illinois; and Oscar H,, who assists in the operation of the home farm.

Since he was admitted to citizenship in this republic Mr. Peterson has looked to the republican as his guide in political matters, and while he has not been conspicuous as a seeker for office he has been a participant in all local elections and has taken some part in public affairs of his township, having served as school trustee and as highway commissioner. The latter position he held for six years. His public spirit, which has characterized his actions since he became identified with the community here, and the success of his private life, have secured for him a full measure of the good will and respect of his fellows.

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

Among the many natives of Sweden who have come to the United States to test the resources of a never country, were Andrew and Magdaline (Anderson) Peterson, parents of Henry Peterson, a prominent resident of Lynn township. Both of them were in youth bereft of their parents and they came to America alone, the mother in 1852 and the father in 1854, and were soon afterward married. They first located in Andover, Henry county, Illinois, where for a few years the father worked as a farm hand and by dint of rigid economy, saved enough money to buy a tract of land in Lynn township. It was there that Henry Peterson was born February 2, 1864. The father added to his property from time to time until he had considerable land. A republican in poUtics, he was active in public affairs and filled most of the township offices. He and his family were members of the Lutheran church and for some years Mr. Peterson held the offices of trustee and treasurer. Originally members of the Andover church, they later assisted in the organization of the Orion Lutheran church, to which they gave true Christian service. The mother passed on to her reward March i, 1884, being survived by the father until July 27, 1902, and their remains he in Orion cemetery. These worthy people were the parents of eight children, four of whom died in infancy. Those still living are Mary E., now Mrs. William Gabrielson, of Orion; Josephine, now Mrs. Charles Chinell, of Western township; John E., also a resident of Western township; and Henry, the subject of this sketch.

Henry Peterson enjoyed the free, unrestricted life of a country lad. He took a business course in the Northwestern Normal School at Geneseo, and then returned to his father's farm, remaining there until his marriage in 1891, when he and his bride took up their residence upon a desirable tract of land, two hundred and ninety acres in extent. This Mr. Peterson has brought to a high state of improvement, and has met with success in the line of stock buying, shipping and feeding.

The marriage of Mr. Peterson and Miss Ida C. Benson was celebrated March 18, 1891, and three children have blessed their union, two sons and a daughter, Clarence H. and Pearl E., who are still living; and Lawrence E., who passed away in infancy. Mrs. Peterson's parents were Olaus and Inga (Samuelson) Benson, Swedish by birth, who came to this country in 1869 soon after their marriage. They settled directly in Henry county Illinois, the father doing farm work. He died in 1881, but his widow is still living.

Mr. Peterson is one of the standard bearers of the republican party in Henry county. He has been a member of the republican central committee and is a frequent delegate to conventions both county and district. He has been placed several times on the board of elections and has served the public as township collector and assessor. He is now assessor and for twenty-two years was school director. The township pins its faith to his determination to secure good schooling for the coming generation and all manner of benefits for the whole community. He and his family are consistent members of the Lutheran church at Orion.

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

CARL EDWARD PETERSON.

The progressive ideas which contribute so much to success in the field of agriculture have been conspicuous elements in the life record of Carl Edward Peterson, who owns and operates a fine tract of land in Colona township. He was born in Western township, near the place on which he now resides, November 5, 1874. and is a son of Carl P. and Mary (Erickson) Peterson. The parents came from Sweden in 1868, settled first in Andover, this county, and later removed to the vicinity of Orion, where they remained a few years. Finally they took up their residence in the locality in which the family has since lived. Here the father followed farming with a success that has rendered ample return for his labor. He is still living, but his wife passed away July 3, 1906. Four children were born to them: Hida, who is the wife of John Nelson, of Osco township; Selma, who has remained unmarried; Louise, who is the wife of Otto Samuelson, of Orion township; and Carl Edward, the subject of this sketch.

Carl Edward Peterson spent his youth upon the home farm, assisting his father in whatever work there was to be done, while he attended the district school, where he received a fair education as preparation for the responsibilities of life. Even after he attained his majority, he gave his father the benefit of his labor, for it was not until 1905 that he married and established a home of his own. In that year he rented the eighty acres which constitute his place today and has since engaged in diversified farming, his success being the just reward for persevering industry. Progressive in his ideas, he has spared nothing in order to bring his place to the highest degree of cultivation, to improve the character of the buildings with which it is adorned, or to increase the abundance of the harvests, gathered from the fields. While these things have ministered to his own success they have also redounded to the total prosperity of the community in which he lives.

On the 22d of February, 1905, Mr. Peterson was joined in wedlock to Miss Lena Kuschmann, a daughter of William and Louise Kuschmann, of South Heights, Rock Island. Three children have been born to them: Marguerite, Paul and Marie.

Mr. Peterson is a consistent member of the Lutheran church and is closely identified with its work. A republican in his political views, while he has been interested in questions of public interest and has ever exhibited a deep concern in the welfare of his fellow citizens, he has never sought office and could never be persuaded to accept any evidence of the trust the people would place in him and his judgment were he to signify his willingness to be their servant. He has been very active, however, in the ranks of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for he is a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 684, of Colona, in which he has held the greater number of the chairs. Keenly alert to the best interests of the people, industrious and progressive, Mr. Peterson is one of the splendid citizens of Colona township, enjoying the respect and good will of those who have come into contact with him. He and his wife are devoted to their home and their family, so that the harmony of their relations affords a striking example of domestic feUcity.

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

Albert Peterson is one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of Cambridge township, owning a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 36. His birth occurred in Wethersfield township, Henry county, Illinois, on the 27th of September, 1880, his parents being John and Anna (Garey) Peterson, natives of Sweden and Pennsylvania respectively. The parental grandfather passed away in Sweden when well advanced in years. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Isaac Garey, was of German descent and was born in Pennsylvania, where he followed merchandising. He made his way to this county at an early period in its development and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, operating a farm near Kewanee. He was well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as a most respected and worthy citizen, and his death, which occurred when he was seventy years of age, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

John Peterson, the father of Albert Peterson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States about 1874 and took up his above in Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois. He first worked as a farm hand for a number of years and then purchased a tract of eighty acres in Galva township, where he resided for five years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Cambridge township, on which he made his home until 1902, when he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Moline, where he has since lived retired. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He was twice married, and his first wife passed away in 1884, when about thirty-one years of age. They had two children, as follows: Albert, of this review, and Anna, who is the wife of Albert Burke and resides near Hedrick, Iowa. Subsequent to the death of his first wife John Peterson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Anna Gabrielson.

Albert Peterson was reared on the home farm in this county and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then rented the old homestead farm from his father and operated it for four years, on the expiration of which period he bought the property and has since devoted his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement with excellent success. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which is bestowed upon them.

On the 18th of February, 1904, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Edith Anderson, who was born in Cambridge township, this county, on the 30th of August, 1882, her parents being Olof and Mary (Elm) Anderson, natives of Sweden. On coming to the United States they took up their above in Henry county, Illinois, among its early settlers. Their children were four in number, namely: Olive, the wife of Andrew Rapp; Elmer; Mrs. Peterson and Maude Amelia. Olof Anderson has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Celia Nasberg, and they had one son, Charles. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Peterson was John Elm, a native of Sweden. After making the ocean voyage to this country he located in Cambridge township, Henry county, and gave his attention to the work of farming. He passed away at the ripe old age of seventy-six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been born three children, the first being twin daughters, one of whom died when only a day old. The other is Anna Helen, and their son is Milford Lester.

At the polls Mr. Peterson cases his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Swedish Methodist church at Bishop Hill. The young couple have an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the county in which they have always resided, having won the kindly regard and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.

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