In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa (1909)
SWAN PETERSON.
The Scandinavian country lias furnished to northwestern Iowa an intelligent and progressive citizenship.:Many of the sons of Norway and Sweden have come to this part of the country, and with characteristic thrift and perseverance have labored to achieve success, their ei?orts resulting in the development of Buena Vista county along lines of modern improvement.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
]Mr. and Jlrs. Peterson were the parents of the following children: Charles, who was born in Sweden, is now married and follows farming in Cherokee county. Jennie is the wife of N. Winneberg, of Ida county, Iowa. Oscar is a farmer of Silver township, Cherokee county; Victor is operating the home farm; Laura is the wife of Oscar Cattong, a farmer of Cherokee county; Ernest follows general agricultural pursuits near Galva, Iowa; Ida and Emma are at home. They also lost two children in early childhood.
Mr. Peterson is an independent voter, casting his ballot for the candidates whom he thinks best (qualified for office without regard to party affiliation. He has been closely identified with the school interests of Cherokee county and was also road supervisor. He is a member of the Free Jlission church and his influence is always on the side of right,.justice and truth. He can tell many interesting incidents concerning the early days when this part of the state was practically destitute of railroads, when its homes were widely scattered and when its settlers had to face many obstacles and difficulties in order to carry on farming on the frontier, ilr. Peterson has borne all of the trials meted out to the frontier settler, but he worked on diligently and persistently and never allowed himself to become discouraged or disheartened. He hauled the lumber for his largest house eighteen miles, for there was no nearer source of supply. He has rejoiced in what has been accomplished in the county, nor has he ever had occasion to regret that he did not remain in his native land, for he recognizes the fact that he has had better business opportunities than he could have secured in Sweden, and while he has worked hard and persistently, he has ultimately gained a measure of prosperity that now brings to him all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
As printed in Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.