Peterson, James

PETERSON, CORNFORTH

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 11:21:45

PETERSON, JAMES

James Peterson, a prosperous farmer of Garfield Township, Lyon County, is a notable representative of the vast numbers of the energetic and hard working men and women that the Scandinavian kingdoms have contributed to the making of the most desirable citizenship of the northwest. They are people of the most pushing character, with noble ambitions, and are willing to endure great privations if only at the last they may see a home and a farm and a modest competence for all their industry and economy.

Mr. Peterson was born in Denmark in 1849, his birthplace being the farm on which his father lived and died. He was a member of a large family of children, three of whom only are now living. Until he became of age he lived in Denmark, where he was reared to hard work and given such educational advantages as the schools of the day afforded. In 1869 he set his face westward, and crossing the ocean first set his foot on the soil of the North American continent at Quebec, Canada. Hastening on toward the land of his hopes soon found him at Racine, Wisconsin, where for two years he found employment at farm labor. In the fall of 1871 he came to Sioux County, Iowa, where he was among the very earliest settlers. He took a homestead in section 18, Sheridan Township, of that county, and he still retains this land. Here he put up a sod house, in which he kept "bachelor's hall" for two years. Here he had an ox team, but could not use them for a time. Here he was long engaged in farming, and soon built up a good home and farm, owning when he left Sioux County in 1891 some seven hundred acres, well equipped with ample and convenient buildings, machinery, and everything needed to successful cultivation of these broad acres. During 1891 and 1892 Mr. Peterson lived in the village of Hull, but the following year settled in the village of Doon, where he bought an interest in the local flour mill. There he spent some two years as a miller. Then disposing of his mill interests, he bought his present farm property in section 28, Garfield Township. Upon this place extensive improvements were made consequent upon his removal to it and making it his home. Among the present substantial and attractive buildings may be mentioned a country residence, 16 by 27, and 14 by 16; a barn, 40 by 80, a granary; a hog house; a cow barn 40 by 80; and a corn crib, together with all other buildings and sheds the economical and successful cultivation of the farm may demand. Mr. Peterson is largely interested in both stock and grain raising, and in both lines has met with much success. Beside his landed property mentioned above, Mr. Peterson owns land in South Dakota.

Mr. Peterson was united in marriage in 1875 with Miss Sarah A. Cornforth, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of John Cornforth, who was born in England. He was a railroad engineer, and was killed during his service as a soldier in the Civil War. She taught school in Iowa before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the happy parents of a family of three children: Herbert J., John W., and Irene Myrtle.

Mr. Peterson held various township offices while residing in Sioux County, being trustee six years, and also road commissioner and school director. This last office he is now filling in Garfield Township. While in Sioux County he passed through the "grasshopper times," of which his recollections are alike interesting and painful. During their prevalence he lost six crops by the grasshoppers, sometimes seeing them so thick that they would sweep a field bare in two hours. For years he worked out to pay family expenses and keep up the farm, which he was determined should not be dropped. At different times he was employed on seven or eight different railroad lines in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas. He did not expect to make money. To keep alive was enough for any man in those days. Today he has reason to congratulate himself on his unbroken faith in the great northwest, for it has paid him grandly.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson