Pederson, Thomas E.

PEDERSON, MOE

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 4/9/2011 at 19:14:00

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Vol. II, 1912, J.W. Lee, pp. 238-239.

Thomas E. Pederson, who in partnership with his brother, Peter, is conducting a modern blacksmithing enterprise in Randall, is representative in all his activities of high business standards and excellent qualities of citizenship. In achieving the prosperity which has come to him he has been aided by a natural mechanical ability, by long personal experience and by his unusual energy and determination. He was born in the section where he now lives on January 2, 1889, a son of Thomas G. and Ellen (Moe) Pederson, natives of Norway. His father was born July 8, 1851, and came to America in 1881, landing in this country July 2d of that year. He journeyed westward, staying for a short time in Illinois, where he followed the carpentry trade although he had been a blacksmith in his native country. In 1887 the family moved to Randall where the father purchased a blacksmith shop which he continued to operate until 1906 when he sold the business to his eldest son, Peter. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Peter G., who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, October 15, 1881, and who is associated with the subject of this sketch in the general blacksmithing business in Randall; Anna, whose birth occurred March 1, 1883, and who is residing in Randall; Julia, who was born September 19, 1884, and who makes her home in the same section ; John, whose natal day was August 26, 1885, and who makes his home in Randall; Thomas E., the subject of this sketch; Henry, who was born May 7, 1896, and who died June 26, 1896; and Alvina, whose birth occurred June 8, 1900, and who also makes her home in Randall. The three youngest children were born in Randall and the older ones in La Salle county, Illinois.

Thomas E. Pederson was reared at home and attended the Randall public schools. When he was twenty years of age his brother took him into partnership in the conduct of the rapidly expanding blacksmithing business which his father had founded and since that time the two brothers have worked harmoniously and have achieved distinct and substantial success. They do general blacksmithing, woodworking and horseshoeing. Both are natural mechanics and have by industry and intelligent activity made their business grow into one of the most important enterprises of its kind in this section of the state.

Mr. Pederson gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never been active as an office seeker. He is a devout adherent of the Norwegian church. He makes his home with his parents who own one of the most pleasant and comfortable dwellings in Randall. He has many friends in this city where he has spent his entire life. He is always active in his support of movements for the general growth and advancement and is intelligently interested in the affairs of his native city. Honorable, broad, liberal-minded, and never mercenary, he has always made financial attainment secondary to the methods by which it is achieved, and thus in gaining wealth and prosperity for himself he has influenced the general welfare only for good.