August Peterson

PETERSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/1/2010 at 18:41:09

August Peterson who resides in Madrid, owns 30 acres of valuable land adjoining his home and 73 ½ acres I section 29, Garden township. His father is one of the best improved in that part of the county and its buildings and barns are kept in the best of condition. He is a most successful farmer and still actively looks after his farm although residing in the city.
Mr Peterson was born in Sweden October 19, 1850, and in that country spent his boyhood and received his education. His parents were Christ and Johanna Peterson also natives of Sweden, the former born in 1817 ad the latter in 1820. Both died in Madrid, in 1873, within three days. Their three children were born in Sweden as follows: Mrs Anna Sundberg, who passed away in Madrid, Mrs Mary Krantz a resident of that city, and August of this review.
The last named came to America in 1869, the remainder of the family coming it he following year. They settled I Swede Point and there Mr Peterson began work as a farm hand. Then they arrived in Boone county the country was comparatively unsettled and pioneer conditions still prevailed. On reaching America Mr Peterson was practically without funds but by perseverance and industry ahs secured a gratifying competence. He not only owns a comfortable home in Madrid and 30 acres of valuable land but his farm in Garden township is one of the best improved properties in Boone county, giving evidence of his excellent management. He has always followed the most modern methods and by perseverance, industry, and good judgment, has attained to a substantial position in his community. When Mr Peterson began work as a farm hand he received ten dollars per month and that he has since achieved prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts. His home in Madrid is not only modern and up to date, but is handsomely and comfortably furnished and he and his wife are surrounded with all conveniences that money can buy.
On September 3, 1874, August Peterson married Miss Clara Alsin, who was born in Madrid and died there January 11, 1883. She was a daughter of John and Margaret (Olson) Alsin, natives of Sweden, who passed away in Madrid. They came to America in 1864 and lived in Swede Point for a short time. The father then purchased a farm in Garden township and met with success I its cultivation. They had seven children: Mrs Coleman, of Omaha, Nebraska, John a resident of Boone, Peter who also resides there, Clara, who married August Peterson, Mrs Hulda Newman of Garden township, Mrs Anna Orth of Denver, Colorado. And Carl A who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Five of the children were born in Sweden and the younger ones in Garden township. Mr and Mrs Peterson had one son and one daughter. Mrs Hattie Matilda Clark, who was born July 28, 1876, and resides in Canada, and Adolph who was born August 11, 1882 and lives in Boone.
On December 19, 1883, Mr Peterson again married his second union being with Miss Christina Albertine Alsin, a cousins of his first wife, who was born in New Sweden, Jefferson county, Iowa January 30, 1860. Her parents were Peter A and Caroline (Stephenson) Alsin, natives of Sweden the former born in 1827 and the latter in 1840. The father came to America in 1852 and was one of the pioneers of this state. He removed to Boone county in 1868 and in 1892 made his home in Madrid where he died in 1911. His wife came to America with her parents I i1849, the family settling in Henry county, Iowa and she now makes her home in Madrid. She bore her husband seven children as follows: Frank A deceased, Mary and Christina Albertine, twins, the former deceased, Mrs Tillie Isaason, of Madrid, C P of Garden township, Joseph E deceased ad Mrs Susie Johnson of Madrid. All the children were reared in Garden township and there attended the common schools. Mrs Peterson came with her parents through Des Moines to Garden township I 1868. She has become the mother of three sons: Clarence Augustus, born February 1, 1885,attended the common schools and died in Madrid, February 8, 1908, Clayton Marion, born April 26, 1888, is now a successful merchant in Madrid. He secured an excellent education, graduating from the Madrid high school with the class of 1906, Joseph Harold, born March 16, 1891, completed high school and subsequently attended the Iowa State Teachers’ College. He is now a civil engineer with the Milwaukee Railroad Company and resides with his parents.
Mr Peterson is a progressive republican, his views being thoroughly in accord with the ideals of that wing of the party. He has always taken a deep interest in community affairs and has been ever ready to give moral and material support to enterprises which give promise of resulting in good to his city and county. He was one of the first councilmen of Madrid, was town assessor for twelve years, a member of the board of education for about seventeen years an d for twenty years served as street commissioner .In these various offices he has done much good for his city. Mr and Mrs Peterson are member of the Lutheran church and actively interested in its work. He is not connected with any fraternal organization, but his two sons a members of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr Peterson stand high in esteem and respect of his fellow citizens, who appreciate what he has accomplished and those qualities of his character rich have made possible his success.

1914 Boone County History Book