Peterson, Jacob J.

PETERSON, NELSON

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/17/2010 at 13:42:00

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Vol. II, 1912, p.147.

JACOB J. PETERSON.

Jacob J. Peterson is conducting a general insurance, real-estate and loan office in Webster City. He has resided continuously in Hamilton County since coming to America when twenty-three years of age. He was born in Denmark, January 29, i860, and is a son of Peter and Kjerstine (Nelson) Jacobson. The father always resided in Denmark but died when his son Jacob was quite young. The mother still lives in her native land.

Mr. Peterson, whose name introduces this record, was a pupil in the public schools of Denmark and remained a resident of that country until May, 1883, when he came to the United States, attracted by the broader business opportunities which he believed might be secured on this side the Atlantic. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling at Jewell in Hamilton County. He engaged in farming for six years in the eastern part of the county and then, abandoning agricultural life for industrial pursuits, removed to Webster City in 1889 and began work at the carpenter's trade. He was thus employed for five years and in 1896 he organized the present real-estate, loan and insurance business which he is now conducting. Sixteen years have since passed, during which period he has negotiated many important realty transfers, and no man of the locality is better informed concerning realty values. He has also placed many loans, and the insurance policies which he writes represent a large figure each year. He is persistent, diligent and determined, and the success which has come to him is the merited reward and logical result of his labors.

Mr. Peterson makes his home at No. 507 1/2 Second street. He is one of the charter members of Flaws Castle, No. 330, of the Royal Highlanders, of which he has been secretary since 1903. He is also a charter member of the Bankers Union and has been its secretary since 1898. He belongs to St. Paul's Universalist church and is interested in various projects which have for their object the welfare and improvement of the community along material, social and moral lines. He has never yet had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and which are always open to ambitious, energetic young men.