ANNA KATRINA (KOLL) PETERSEN, b 11 Dec 1826

PETERSEN, KOLL, PAUSH, KOCH

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 9/16/2004 at 17:41:20

Mrs. Anna Katrina Petersen, relict of Jacob Petersen. There are a goodly number of ladies owning property in their own right, and successfully operating valuable farming land in this county. Among these may be properly mentioned Mrs. Petersen, who owns 156 acres on section 30, Van Buren Township, which was accumulated by her own labors and those of her late respected husband. They looked upon this county in its pioneer days and secured their land before the establishment of the present village of Preston, which sprang up about two miles from their home, and through which now pass twenty-four railroad trains per day. The Petersen farm is finely located and embellished with first-class buildings. The dwelling is a neat and tasteful structure, well furnished, and both within and without bears evidence of the cultivated tastes of the proprietor. Among the attractive features is an organ, which affords many a pleasant hour of recreation to Mrs. Petersen and her friends. Adjacent to the dwelling is a large, roomy barn, erected at considerable expense, and the other out-buildings necessary for the successful prosecution of agriculture and stock-raising. The family of Mrs. Petersen comprises only herself and her granddaughter, while she employes men to work the farm.

A native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, our subject was born Dec. 11, 1826, and at an early age was deprived by death of a father's care. Her parents were Frederick and Maggie (Paush) Koll, who were also of German birth and parentage. Their family consisted of eight children, all deceased except our subject. Anna commenced earning her own living when a mere child, and came to American with Jacob Petersen, in July, 1853. She was married, in Davenport, this State, July 4, 1853, to Jacob Peterson, also a native of the Fatherland, who crossed the Atlantic at the same time as his future wife; they grew up together in Germany.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Petersen took up their abode in Lyons, and Mr. Petersen was employed on the railroad tract one and one-half years. He was industrious and economical, and by the aid of his excellent wife in due time was enabled to purchase forty acres of land, including the ground upon which the farm buildings are now located. To this he subsequently added and carried on the improvements, which have brought it to a good position among its neighbors. Mr. Petersen departed this life May 12, 1875, at the age of forty-two years. He was a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, an honest man in all respects and one who was well thought of by his neighbors. Mrs. Petersen proved a most suitable companion and helpmate of her husband, and is respected by all who know her. She is a member in good standing of the German-Lutheran Church at Spragueville, to the support of which she contributes liberally. Mrs. Petersen's only daughter, Dora, born in Germany, became the wife of Detleff Koch; they have eight children. One of the grandchildren, Minnie Koch, resides with her grandmother.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)