Henry Peterson

As printed in 1910

HENRY PETERSON.

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 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.