Peter M Samberg

SAMBERG

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/27/2010 at 16:52:53

Peter M Samberg of Boone, is the oldest citizen of the county, being now in his ninety-third year. He was born in Sweden July 7, 1821. His father, John Tapper, became a soldier at the age of seventeen years and fought against Germany in 1812. He served in the army for thirty-two years when not connected therewith he followed the tailor’s trade. He married Katrina Johnson, also a native of Sweden, ad both died in that country, the mother passing away when her son Peter was but six years of age. The family were quite poor and when a child Peter M Samberg would frequently beg. The father’s use of intoxicants deprived the family of much of heir rightful income. On one occasion when the mother was crying because there was not bread in the house, peter M Samberg ran to a stone in the yard, under which he had hidden the pennies that had been given him, and brought them to his mother, who purchased with them two loaves of bread, thus relieving immediate hunger of the family. The mother left six small children at her death.
Peter M Samberg never had the opportunity to attending school. He and a brother tramped through the country and he earned his first money six shillings, by working at the tailor’s trade. He served a three years’ apprenticeship at that trade and at sixteen years of age went to work in a paper mill to learn the trade, spending three years in that way. He was employed for a year at a salary of twenty crowns and he had to get up at three o’clock I the morning and go to work. The second year his wage was advance to thirty crowns. Though many hardships and difficulties were his through the period of his boyhood, youth and early manhood, he advance steadily but surely and when twenty-six years of age was foreman of a farm.
When thirty years of age Mr Samberg was married to Miss Wilhelmina Samuelson. For three years thereafter they remained in Sweden and in October, 1854, hey left their native land for the United States, landing at New York, whence they made their way to Chicago and on to St Charles, Illinois, where Mr Samberg obtained work on a farm. Again disaster overtook him in the loss of his wife, who died in October of the same year.
Mr Samberg continued farming for a time and afterward worked at the moths he did mason work as a contractor. His home was upon a farm of 160 acres, which he cultivated and developed for fourteen years. He then sold that property on October 16, 1869, arrived in Boone county, settling in Marcy township, where he purchased a farm of 160 acres. His attention was given to its further development and improvement until 1872, when he went to Chicago. In the previous fall the most disastrous fire had wiped out a large portion of the city and artisan labor was in great demand. Mr Samberg worked as a mason foreman at seven dollars per day, being an expert at his trade. In 1877 he returned to Iowa and established his home in Boone, but still owns the farm and also several properties in the town, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. Some time after his return to the county he began the manufacture of a liniment which became famous, gaining great healing properties, and he conducted that business for a considerable period.
Mr Samberg is a veteran of the Civil war. His first military training was received in Sweden, for he was a soldier in the Swedish army for ten years and was well versed in the methods of warfare. His early experience made him very valuable during his connection with the Union army. In 1861 he enlisted for active duty, becoming a member of Company D, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Western Army. He served first under Colonel Lester, who surrendered at Murfreesboro. After being held prisoners for forty-eight hours the members of the regiment were exchanged. Mr Samberg fought against the Indians in Minnesota for a time in 1862. He continued in the army until November 14, 1864, when he was honorably discharged in Arkansas and returned to his home. He twice took command of his company during the war when superior officers were disabled. It was before he went to the front that he began the manufacture of liniment and he had considerable knowledge of the remedial properties of other medicines. He frequently ministered to his wounded comrades and was offered the position of regimental surgeon, but refused to accept because he could not speak good English and believed that this would hamper him in the work.
For his second wife Mr Samberg chose Augusta Johnson, who died in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, leaving five children, Charles, James, Wilhelmina, Nellie, and Matilda. For his third wife Mr Samberg married Carrie Samuelson, who died in Ogden, this county. On June 6, 1904 he wedded Mrs Jennie Johnson the widow of Swan Johnson. She was born in Sweden, came to the United States at six years of age and lived with her parents in Brooklyn.
Moth Mr and Mrs Samberg were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and he has always been a great reader of the Bible. For sixteen years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was local preacher for a number of years. His political allegiance was given to the greenback party for a long time. He once voted the republican ticket when Lincoln was candidate for the presidency and in later years he has been a populist. His life, actuated by high an d honorable principles, has made his record one over which he can look back without regret. Without any advantages in his youth, he has made good use of his time and opportunities and he is today one of the venerable citizens of Boone county, respected by all. His age, perhaps, exceeds that of any other resident of the county, and his life record covers a period of history remarkable for may achievements. For sixty years he has lived on this side the water and for forty-five years has been a resident of Boone county.

1914 Boone County History Book