PETERSON, Andrew H.

PETERSON, ANDERSON

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 23:50:03

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

ANDREW H. PETERSON.

Prominent among the progressive citizens and successful farmers of Olive township is Andrew H. Peterson, whose home is on section twenty. He was born in Norway and came to the United States in 1854, when only four years old. His parents were Harlow and Bertha (Anderson) Peterson, also natives of Norway. The father was a small farmer and fisherman of that county, and after coming to the United States followed agricultural pursuits exclusively. He first located in La Salle county, Illinois, where he engaged in farm work for two years, and for four years was similarly employed in Grundy county, that state. In the fall of 1860 he brought his family to Iowa with ox teams and purchased forty acres of land on section twenty, Olive township, Clinton county, where our subject now lives. Throughout life he successfully engaged in farming and added to his original purchase until he had at the time of his death two hundred and eighty acres. He died in 1895, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife passed away in December of the same year at the age of nearly eighty. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are now living.

Since coming to this county with the family Andrew H. Peterson has resided upon the old homestead, one hundred and eighty acres of which he now owns. He has made many improvements upon the place, and had converted it into one of the model farms of the locality. In connection with general farming hi is engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of full-blooded Jersey red hogs.

On the 7th of February, 1869, Mr. Peterson married Miss Mattie Peterson, who is also a native of Norway, and was about twenty-one years of age when she came to the United States. Her father, Christopher Peterson, is still living in Norway. Twelve children were born to our subject and his wife, namely: Bertha, who died in infancy: Harlow, Christopher, Lettie, Peter, Nels and Bertha; Annie Mattie, who was a twin sister of Bertha and died at the age of four months; Annie, Mattie, Carrine and Alice, all at home. The older sons now assist their father in the operation of the farm.

By his ballot Mr. Peterson supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has served as constable several times, though he has never sought, nor particularly cared for public office. However, he takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs and does all in his power to promote those interests calculated to advance the welfare of his community. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.