Jens Petersen

PETERSEN, WEBER

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 16:21:33

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910.
Biographical Sketches

JENS PETERSEN.

Jens Petersen, who for more than two decades has been engaged in business as a harness manufacturer and dealer of Miles, well deserves the somewhat hackneyed but altogether expressive title of a self-made man, for the prosperity which he now enjoys is entirely the result of his untiring industry and capable management. His birth occurred in Germany on the 11th of August, 1864, his parents being Peter and Anna Petersen. They crossed the ocean to the new world in 1885 and resided in Clinton county, Iowa, for five years, on the expiration of which period they removed to Calhoun county, this state. Subsequently they went to Greene county, Iowa, where their remaining days were spent. They reared a family of nine children, six daughters and three sons, all of whom are still living.

Jens Petersen obtained his education in the common schools of his native land and when sixteen years of age began learning the trade of a harness maker. He worked for his board for a period of three years and then set sail for the United States, wishing to test the truth of the many favorable reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed on this side the Atlantic. He was employed as a harness maker for several years after arriving in this country but in 1888 embarked in business on his own account, opening a shop in Miles, Iowa, where he has since enjoyed a liberal trade as a harness manufacturer and dealer. In addition to the business block on Main street he is likewise the owner of the opera house and also has a fine residence, his property interests being the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and enterprise.

In 1888 Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Weber, a native of Clinton county, Iowa. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Miles and also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled some of the chairs in lodge No. 572 of the latter order. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Congregational church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Petersen's success in business is undoubtedly largely due to the fact that he has continued in the line of activity in which he embarked as a young tradesman, winning his prosperity by reason of his good work, his perseverance and his honorable business methods.