IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

Peter I. Peterson

 

A well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in the Yellow river valley is the property of Peter I. Peterson, and in its neat and attractive appearance reflects everywhere the many years of careful supervision and practical management which the owner has bestowed upon it. Mr. Peterson was born in Gol, Norway, May 5, 1854, and is a son of Iver and Olean (Blockestad) Peterson, also natives of that locality. They crossed the Atlantic to America in 1870 and came directly to Allamakee county, locating in Paint Creek township, where the father purchased a tract of practically unimproved land. He carried on the work of developing this property for seven years and then disposed of his farm, renting land in Fairview township, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in July, 1886. His wife survived him some years, dying in September, 1909. They were the parents of four children: Peter I., of this review; Tolaf, who has passed away; Berige, the widow of Ole O. Halverson and a resident of Spring Grove, Minnesota; and Julia, the wife of Peter Anderson, of Tacoma, Washington.

Peter I. Peterson acquired his education in the public schools of Norway and Paint Creek township, Allamakee county, whither he came with his parents when he was sixteen years of age. One year later he obtained employment as a farm laborer and so continued until the age of twenty-seven, making his home with his parents during this time. He then rented land in Fairview township and after five years purchased from his father-in-law the farm upon which his wife was born. He now owns one hundred and fifty-six acres of valuable land and this is crossed by an old Indian trail from the south to the Winnebago mission, the road passing directly in front of Mr. Peterson’s residence. The farm is well equipped with modern buildings all substantial and in good repair and labor-saving machinery has been installed to facilitate the work of operation. Nothing has been neglected which will add to the attractive appearance or value of the farm which is today a model place and worthy of comparison with the finest agricultural properties in this section of the state. Mr. Peterson engages in general farming and stock-raising and both branches of his activities have proven profitable under his able management.

On the 13th of December, 1886, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Edna Hulse, who was born in the house where she now resides August 10, 1864, a daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Gardner) Hulse, the former born in Pike county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1835, and the latter in Davenport, Iowa, April 24, 1843. The father came to Iowa in 1851 and located in Fairview township, making his home with his father, who held a squatter’s claim on Yellow river. One year later Gilbert Hulse left this property and went to California, where he worked in the employ of others for three years. Returning to Iowa he bought the farm whereon the subject of this review now resides, later disposing of this property and moving to the vicinity of Fort Dodge, where he spent four years engaged in farming. At the end of that time he returned to Fairview township and repurchased his farm, upon which he continued to reside for seventeen years thereafter, eventually selling it to his son-in-law. He then bought another farm in this vicinity and after four years sold this. Since that time Mrs. Hulse has made her home with her daughters, Mrs. Peterson and Mrs. Robert Aird, also of this township. She has lived here since very early pioneer times, having taken up her residence here when they were only seven or eight little log houses at the mission.

Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church and a republican in his political views. He served for two terms as trustee of Fairview township, discharging his duties capably and conscientiously, and his cooperation is always readily given to movements to promote the general good. A resident of Allamakee county since his childhood, he has witnessed a great deal of the agricultural development of this region and has become widely and favorable known as a man whose business integrity is unquestioned and whose contributions to agricultural progress have been many and substantial.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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