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
Return to 1913 biographies index