August Peterson

As printed in 1914

AUGUST PETERSON.

August Peterson, who resides in Madrid, owns thirty acres of valuable land adjoining his home and seventy-three and a half acres in section 29, Garden township. His farm is one of the best improved in that part of the county and its buildings and barns are kept in the best of condition. He is a most successful farmer and still actively looks after his farm although residing in the city.

Mr. Peterson was born in Sweden, October 19, 1850, and in that country spent his boyhood and received his education. His parents were Christ and Johanna Peterson, also natives of Sweden, the former born in 1817 and the latter in 1820. Both died in Madrid, in 1873, within three days. Their three children were born in Sweden, as follows: Mrs. Anna Sundberg, who passed away in Madrid; Mrs. Mary Krantz, a resident of that city; and August, of this review.

The last named came to America in 1869, the remainder of the family coming in the following year. They settled in Swede Point and there Mr. Peterson began work as a farm hand. When they arrived in Boone county the country was comparatively unsettled and pioneer conditions still prevailed. On reaching America Mr. Peterson was practically without funds but by perseverance and industry has secured a gratifying competence. He not only owns a comfortable home in Madrid and thirty acres of valuable land but his farm in Garden township is one of the best improved properties in Boone county, giving evidence of his excellent management. He has always followed the most modern methods and by perseverance, industry, and good judgment, has attained to a substantial position in his community. When Mr. Peterson began work as a farm hand he received ten dollars per month and that he has since achieved prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts. His home in Madrid is not only modern and up-to-date, but is handsomely and comfortably furnished, and he and-lis wife are surrounded with all conveniences that money can buy.

On September 3, 1874. August Peterson married Aliss Clara Alsin, who was born in Madrid and died there, January 11, 1883. She was a daughter of John and Margaret (Olson) Alsin, natives of Sweden, who passed away in Madrid. They came to America in 1864 and lived in Swede Point for a short time. The father then purchased a farm in Garden township and met with success in its cultivation. They had seven children: Mrs. Coleman, of Omaha, Nebraska; John, a resident of Boone; Peter, who also resides there; Clara, who married August Peterson; Mrs. Hulda Newman, of Garden township; Mrs. Anna Orth, of Denver, Colorado; and Carl A., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Five of the children were born in Sweden and the younger ones in Garden township. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson had one son and one daughter: Mrs. Hattie Matilda Clark, who was born July 28, 1876, and resides in Canada; and Adolph, who was born August 11, 1882, and lives in Boone.

On December 19, 1883,.Mr. Peterson again married, his second union being with Miss Christina Albertine Alsin, a cousin of his first wife, who was born in New Sweden, Jefferson county, Iowa, January 30, 1860. Her parents were Peter A. and Caroline (Stephenson) Alsin, natives of Sweden, the former born in 1827 and the latter in 1840. The father came to America in 1852 and was one of the pioneers of this state. He removed to Boone county in 1868 and in 1892 made his home in Madrid, where he died in 191 1. His wife came to America with her parents in 1849, the family settling in Henry county, Iowa, and she now makes her home in Madrid. She bore her husband seven children, as follows: Frank A., deceased; Mary and Christina Albertine, twins, the former deceased; Mrs. Tillie Isaacson, of Madrid; C. P., of Garden township; Joseph E., deceased, and Mrs. Susie Johnson, of Madrid. All the children were reared in Garden township and there attended the common schools. Mrs. Peterson came with her parents through Des Moines to Garden township in 1868. She has become the mother of three sons: Clarence Augustus, born February 1, 1885, attended the common schools and filed in Madrid, February 8, 1908; Clayton Marion, born April 26, 1888, is now a successful merchant in Madrid. He secured an excellent education, graduating from the Madrid high school with the class of 1906; Joseph Harold, born March 16, 1891, completed the high school course and subsequently attended the Iowa State Teachers' College. He is now a civil engineer with the Milwaukee Railroad Company and resides with his parents.

Mr. Peterson is a progressive republican, his views being thoroughly in accord with the ideals of that wing of the party. He has always taken a deep interest in community affairs and has been ever ready to give moral and material support to enterprises which give promise of resulting in good to his city and county. He was one of the first councilmen of Madrid, was town assessor for twelve years, a member of the board of education for about seventeen years and for twenty years served as street commissioner. In these various offices he has done much good for his city. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members of the Lutheran church and actively interested in its work. He is not connected with any fraternal organizations, but his two sons are members 'of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr.

Peterson stands high in the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens, who appreciate what he has accomplished and those qualities of his character which have made possible his success.

As printed in History of Boone County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.