Albert Peterson

As printed in 1910

ALBERT PETERSON.

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 History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.