The Peterson Families of Otter Tail County, Minnesota

From Sweden has come to America many of this country's most desirable and successful men of foreign birth. Industrious, resourceful, serving their adopted country honestly and faithfully, and men who in the material things of life have achieved great results, as they have in the matters of good lives and citizenship, they have won a conspicuous place in the hearts of the American people. Of this type of manhood and citizenship is Leonard Peterson, the subject of this sketch, who is one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Otter Tail county.

Leonard Peterson was born in Sweden on June 17, 1876, the son of C. J. and Christine 1 Johnson-) Peterson, both of whom were born in Sweden, in which country they lived until the year 1878, when they came to America and settled in Kossuth county, Iowa, where they invested in some railroad land, on which they lived until the year 1903, and then they moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, living there until, during the year [905, the) went to the town of Fergus Falls, where C. J. Peterson has since lived in retirement. C. I. and Christine Peterson are active and devout members of the Swedish Baptist church, a congregation in which they are highly respected and worthy communicants. To the marriage of C. J. and Christine Peterson have been horn two suns, Elmer and Leonard.

Leonard Peterson was educated in the public schools of the state of Iowa, and afterward was employed aa farmer until the year ro,03, when he came to (liter Tail county, Minnesota, where he worked as;i farmer. In the year 1905 he took charge of the farm of his father-in-law, a place located in Western township, on which he lived for ten years.

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

JOHN ALGOT PETERSON.

John Algot Peterson is among the highly respected citizens and progressive farmers of Parkers Prairie township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and his unusual ability in his chosen profession has led to a satisfactory issue of his agricultural interests. He was born on August II, 1855, in Sweden, the son of C. J. Peterson and his wife, Sophia, both natives of Sweden. C. J. Peterson followed the vocation of farmer for many years, while a resident of his native land, and emigrated to America in 186S. Immediately after his arrival in the United States he located in Washington county, Minnesota, where he was employed as a farm hand until 1871. He then came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he located on one hundred and sixty acres of homestead land and remained on this property until his death. To the union of C. J. and Sophia Peterson were born four children.

John Algot Peterson moved to Otter Tail county with his father and immediately purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, for which he paid cash. This property has been improved and increased until, at the present time, it is among the best in the locality. It now consists of one hundred and eighty-four and one-half acres of land, and is devoted to general farming and stock raising. In 1880 John Algot Peterson was united in marriage to Mary Swanson, and to this union seven children have been horn. jennie. Alice. Elbcda. Edna, Emily, Harold and Ruth. Mary (Swanson) Peterson is the daughter of Carl Swanson. John Algot Peterson and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in which he has served as deacon and trustee for mure than twenty years. John Algot Peterson has been very active in educational circles and served for ten years as a member of the township board, also acting as chairman of the same. He has served as township assessor for fifteen years. He takes great pride in the cultivation of his farm and keeps everything connected therewith in the best of condition. Much credit is due him fur his unselfish interest in all questions pertaining to the betterment of his community.

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

It has been truly said that "It is not by sleeping, but by working, wakg and laboring continually, that proficiency is attained and reputation quired." Were this test to be applied to him whose life record is brief!) led here, lie might be considered an exemplification for the statement, for from hiearly manhood, ambition, industry and honesty have been marked characteristics. Andrew Peterson, for thirty-three years, a rest dent of Pelican Rapids, is a native of Sweden, having been born there on September 22, [853. lie is the son of Peter and Christine (Haugland) Arinson, both of whom were born in Sweden, where they spent their entire lives, Mr. Peterson operated a foundry. Their children were ten in number, three of whom are dead, and one of these was named Sabina. The others are Orin, Eva, John. Aleas, Eric, Carl and Andrew.

Andrew attended school 111 Sweden and also became proficient there in the carpenter's trade. In April. r88o, be immigrated to America and followed his trade first in Ishpeming, Michigan. He later followed the same trade in Chicago, Wisconsin and Fergus Falls. From the latter place he removed to Pelican Rapids in [882. As the railroad was then in construction he rode only as far as its terminus and was compelled to walk the rest of the way, a distance of two miles. Here he was a carpenter for many years, in fact until he went into the furniture and undertaking business about the year [895. lie has succeeded in this undertaking and today is well known in his present line of work.

Rockel Norhan became Mrs. Andrew Peterson in [888. Although a native of Norway, she was then living in Pelican Rapids with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Norhan, who afterward took up a homestead claim in North Dakota. The children horn of this union are five in number, namely: Inger Christinia, Oscar P., Alma Christinia. Carl Johan and Ruth Meria. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are devoted members of the Lutheran church, to which they have been generous both with their time and means.

With faith in himself and in the universal good, Mr. Peterson has made his life one of influence and usefulness, and has had the reward of knowing that he has made many warm friends in this locality.

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

JOHN ADOLPH PETERSON.

( )t those men who have overcome obstacle and hindrance and, surviving discouragement and set-back, have risen to places of note in the locality and who have proved to be a success in their chosen line of work, the name of John Adolph Peterson, of this sketch, stands out conspicuously. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age and without substantial aid or encouragement, he has become one of the leading men and merchants of Otter Tail count)- and of the town of Dopelius, and has been given a place of note in the larger business affairs of the community, and a rank of honor in the public circles of his town and his township.

John Adolph Peterson was born in Black Hills, South Dakota, on November 16, 1885, the son of Isaac and Mary (Pary) Peterson. Isaac Peterson was born in Norway and Mary Peterson, his wife, was born in Finland, and each having come to America and settled with their parents in the same locality, they became acquainted, were married and then went to Hancock, Michigan, where Isaac Peterson worked in a mine for some time and then later moved to Black Hills, South Dakota, where the father lived until his death, in the year 1 So 1. The mother, with the children, who were living in Otter Tail county, where they owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Newton township, later was married to John P. Majava, she now living at New York Mills. To the marriage of Isaac and Marv Peterson were born the following children: Anna, who married Matthew Find, and who died in the state of Michigan: William, who died at Xew York Mills: Ida. who married Emil Anderson and lives at Markham. St. Louis county Arthur, who is a cattle buyer of Xew York Mills; John Adolph, the subject of this sketch; George, who is a railway brakeman of British Columbia; Lena, who married James ("urrie and lives,t Minneapolis, and Matilda, who lives at home with her mother.

John Adolph Peterson was educated in a state school at Owatona, Minnesota, and from that institution was adopted by a family with whom he lived until the age of eighteen years, when he came to New York Mills and secured employment with the Fiske Brothers Company livery, where he worked for three or four years and then went to the town of Dopelius, in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he was engaged as a butter-maker for the Dopelius Creamery Association, a position which he now holds. John Adolph Peterson has extended his business interests since coming to Dopelius until now he is the manager of a mercantile business, and in addition to this is one of the directors of the Dopelius Creamery Association, with which he has been connected for so many years.

On July t8, mho, John Adolph Peterson was married to Anna Muckala, who was born in the state of Michigan, the daughter of John Henry Muckala and wife. To the marriage of John A. and Anna Peterson has been born a daughter, Erna Arbutus, whose birth occurred on June 8. 1913.

John Adiilih Peterson and. his wife are active members of the Lutheran church, a congregation in which they take an interested part. In politics, Mr. Peterson is an ardent Republican.

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

Farmer and stockman of Henning township, Otter Tail county Minnesota, Olof Peterson was born on July _' 1874, in Sweden. Mr. Peterson, the son of Peter and Elna Peterson, who were also natives of Sweden.

Mr. Peterson's father died in 1875 and his mother in 1913. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four, Andrew, Daniel, Ellis and Mary, are deceased. The living children are Martin. Peter and Olof.

Olof Peterson was educated in the public schools of his native land, lie came to America and to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1802 and. for a short time, worked on neighboring farms. In 1804. hi partnership with his brother, Peter. Mr. Peterson purchased eighty acres of land in section 13, of Leaf Lake township. In iqoo they sold the farm and in the same year moved to Henning township, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres in section 35. In 1914 Mr. Peterson purchased forty acres in section 35. and now owns altogether one hundred and sixty acres. Several years ago. 111 100-, Mr Peterson bill a large barn, thirty by sixty-four feet. His farm iall very well improved. It is well drained, well fenced and has commodious and substantial outbuildings, which are kept in a very high state of repair. Mr. Peterson is a general farmer and stockman.

In [900 Olof Peterson was married to Caroline Person, who was born in Clitherall township, near Eagle Lake church, in 1875. and who is the daughter of Andrew and Llna Person, natives of Sweden and pioneers in Clitherall town-hip ! In \ homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in [869 and were among the first members of Eagle Lake church. In fact. Mrs. Peterson's father had charge of the church for many years. He died in 1910 and his wife in S, both living to advanced ages. Mr. and

Mr-. Peterson was married in Eagle lake Swedish Lutheran church by Rev. james Aloodv. Mr-. Peterson was one of five children horn to her parents, being the youngest. The other children were Cecelia Eunice, William, Matilda and Axel, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Olof Peterson have five children, Erick. Alfreda. Cecelia, Carl and Elizabeth.

The Petersons are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. They attend religious services regularly and take an active interest, not only in religious matters, but in civic matters as well. The family is widely known in Kenning township and very popular.

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

CHARLES A. PETERSON.

Charles A. Peterson is one of the influential and progressive citizens of Vergas, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, who has achieved success in his chosen calling. He is a native of the southern part of Sweden, where his birth occurred on July 1 4, [869. I lis parents were Andrew A. and Christine Peterson, also natives of Sweden, who were born in 1837 and [840, respectively. Andrew A. Peterson was a millwright by profession and followed that trade until 1905, at which time he retired and is now living on a farm near Nashuit. Christine Peterson, his wife, passed away in 1903. They were both members of the German Lutheran church and were the parents of three children, whose names follow: August, who died in Sweden in km 1: Charles V and Elias. Elias is a farmer and lives with his father.

Charles A. Peterson received his early education in the schools of his native land, immigrating to America when twelve years of age. I le came alone to the United States and located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where an uncle. John Molt, was then living. For four years he lived with his relative and attended the public schools of Elizabeth, Minnesota, following which he was employed as a farm hand on the surrounding farms, for more than four years. lie then accepted a position as a clerk in a store in Elizabeth, Minnesota, and continued in this occupation until 1904. About this time. it became evident that the town of Vergas was an assured fact and he immediately began erecting a small store, with the intention of entering the mercantile business in the new town. Building operations were begun in March. 11104. anil a store, twenty-four by forty feet, was soon completed. Two years later an addition was built and in 1908 another addition, twenty-six by eighty feet, was erected, which now makes the entire building fifty by eighty feet, with more than half of it two stories in height. The first stock of g Is was valued at two thousand dollars and the present stock at twenty thousand dollars, and is the largest store in the locality. It draws a trade from a radius of ten miles west and six miles east and south. Four clerks are constantly employed to serve the public and part of the time five are employed.

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Minnesota, and is of Eli

Ailieib, who now lis dead.

Charles A. Petersi church

Politically, he is a men ber of the Modern \ in the

Farmers State Bank a part bership was formed

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

Ole Peterson was born on September 29, 1864, in Sweden, the son of 1'er Nelson and Inger Thortelson both natives of Sweden, who spent their entire lives in that country. Ole Peterson received his education in his native land and immigrated to America when seventeen years of age. After his arrival in the United States he located in Clitherall township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and was employed on the railroad for a period of one year. Following this position he became a farm hand for two years and in 1885 purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on which he now resides.

On January 3, 1885, Ole Peterson was united in marriage to Hannah Person, daughter of Per and Anna (Olson) Person, and they are the parents of three children whose names follow: Emil S., who is employed as a ticket agent in Bowman, North Dakota; Oliver and Edna. Hannah (Person) Peterson, wife of Ole Peterson, was born on January 9, 1866, and is a native of Sweden. Her parents were also natives of Sweden and immigrated to America in 1869. They located in Clitherall township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and were the second family to locate in that community. They purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which their son, Xels Person, now lives.

Ole Peterson has been very successful in his chosen line of endeavor (57b) and an ardent worker in the Swedish Lutheran church, of which he is a member, having held various offices in that congregation for a number of years. He is now deacon of the church and held the office of clerk for twenty-two years. He has also served his fellow citizens in the capacity of school clerk for a period of six years.

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

Although deprived of early educational advantages, August Peterson has become a man known and respected by the citizens of the town near which he has farmer for many years. He was born in Sweden on November jo. [854, where both of his parents. John and Catherine (Magnuson) Peterson died, the former when August was only rive years of age, and the latter over twenty years ago. The children born to them were Skiler, John. August and Sarah.

August Peterson attended school in his native land and came to this country in the spring of 1874. He came directly to Utter Tail county where he bought what was then known as railroad land situated in Eastern township. It extended over a quarter section. Retaining the farm, he worked as a lumberman on the St. (lair river for eighteen years. Leaving this work he resumed farming, a line of industry which he has followed up to the present time. On his splendid farm of two hundred and twenty acres he has erected many well constructed buildings.

Alma Lindquist; a native of Sweden, became Mrs. August Peterson in 1892. She is the daughter of Gust and Ann Linquist, natives of Sweden, who now occupy a farm in Spruce Hill township, Douglas county, Minnesota. The children horn to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are Helma, Hilda. Edward, Winfred and Dora. They are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have won many friends in the county and their home is noted fur its hospitality.

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

JOHN AUGUST PETERSON.

John August Peterson, of Parkers Prairie township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden..March 21, 1849, the son of Peter and Marv (Carlson) Anderson. John August Peterson lived in that country where he received his education in the public schools, until the year [869, when he came to America, going to the city of Duluth, Minnesota, where he was employed at railway work between the cities of Duluth and St. Paul, Minnesota, for about one year and a half. In 1872 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land in Parkers Prairie township, a farm which he leased out while he worked at farm work through the states of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and then about the year 1SS0. returned to his land, which he improved extensively and where he has since lived as one engaged in general agricultural pursuits. After some years of unbroken success as a farmer. John August Peterson added forty acres of adjoining land to his farm, land which later he deeded to his son, Alfred, who is well known among the farmers of the township and county.

John August Peterson and his wife Charlotta (Johnson) Peterson are the parents of two children, Alfred and Edwin. Mr. Peterson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, they taking an important place in the work and worship of this congregation in the community. In politics John August Peterson is an ardent Republican.

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

John Peterson was born in Sweden, December 5, 1867, the son of Peter Johnson and Mary (Knutson) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where Peter Johnson now lives, a farmer on one hundred and twenty acres of land in that country. Alary Johnson having died in June, of the year 1913. Peter and Mary Johnson were the parents of the following children. Anna, Carl, Tilda, John, Eingre, Nels, Augusta, Mary, Alfred, Oscar and Ammei, of whom Nels and John came to America. Peter Johnson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church.

John Peterson, following his education in the public schools of his native land came, during the year 1887, to America and after landing at New York I ity he came to Meeker county, Minnesota, where he worked for two years as a day laborer and then went to the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, where after working some time at day work, he went to the state of North Dakota, and there rented a farm, later returning to Wilkin county, Minnesota, at which place he bought one thousand acres of land on which he cultivated wheat and oats for two years, and then selling this land, John Peterson moved to Otter Tail county, and. in the year 1902, bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Compton township, where he now lives. The farm of John Peterson is one of the best improved and most highly cultivated of the county, this progressive farmer having built, during the year [903, a modern barn in size forty-four by fifty-six feel, and more lately erected a large and complete silo.

On November 20, 1805, John Peterson was married to Cora Larson, (60b)

'i I i who was born in Sweden. May 5. [876, the daughter of Andrew Larson and wife, who came to America during the year 1880, and located in Wilkins county, Minnesota, where Andrew Larson now lives, his wife having died there. To the marriage of John and Cora Peterson were born nine children. Nina May. Harry, Genevieve, Alice. Gladys, Mabel, Agnes, Norma and Lawrence. John Peterson and his family are members and active workers of the Swedish Lutheran church in Compton township.

John Peterson and his family are among the best known people of the community, they being respected and esteemed for their lives and for their works in the township and county.

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

CHARLES G. PETERSON.

Charles G. Peterson was born at Osta, Jutland, Sweden, October 31, 1858, the second son of Peter Carlson and Kristine (Peterson) Carlson, both natives of Sweden. Peter Carlson was born on February 12, 1809, and his wife was born on December 8, 1825. The couple came to America in 1882, accompanied by two sons, the eldest son Peter, having already taken up his residence in this country. UJpon their arrival in Minnesota they went to Fergus Falls, where for two years they made their home with Peter Peterson, who was established in a business there. Peter Carlson spent his last days on the farm owned by his son, Charles, and at his request was buried on the homestead in January, 1901. His wife is still living, at the age of ninety years. She is the mother of the following children: Peter, who follows the occupation of a carpenter in Fergus Falls; Charles, the subject of this sketch, and Walter, a painter at Fergus Falls.

Charles G. Peterson, after completing his education in the public schools of Sweden, took up the carpenter's trade, which he has continued to follow. He came to America in 1882 with his parents, and after a residence of two years in Fergus falls took up a homestead claim of eighty acres in Otter Tail county, a place which has since been called, on account of its early development, '"Peterson's Point." Mr. Peterson, aside from clearing the timber and cutting away the underbrush from the land, has built his own house and tinbarns on tin1 farm and has laid out a number of roads. Although he follows the occupation of general farming, Mr.

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