John G. Peterson

PETERSON, GROVES, CREATH, STEMPLE, BLANCHARD

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2001 at 15:39:28

From the “Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties Iowa” 1890
JOHN G. PETERSON
John G. Peterson, one of the extensive landowners and successful farmers of Van Buren County, resides on Section 34, Jackson Township. With only one hundred and twenty acres of raw land with which to begin life, he has added to his capital, and just as the result of his thrift and enterprise seven hundred and sixty acres of arable land now pay tribute to his care and cultivation.
The Peterson family is of Holland extraction and was founded in America during Colonial days by the great-grandfather of our subject, who settled in New Jersey. He was one of the first to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains and made a location in Cincinnati, Ohio, when that city was composed of only a few log huts. The father of our subject, Ralph Peterson, was born in Adams County Ohio, in 1808, and after attaining to mature years, in 1829, wedded Miss Mary Groves, who was left an orphan during her infancy. The continued to reside in the Buckeye state until 1835, when they became residents of Indiana, and in 1839 the located in Van Buren county Iowa, where Mr. Peterson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land. At the time of his death he was the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, and to all of his children he had given either money or land in order to furnish them with a good start in life. His death occurred in 1888, at the age of nearly eight years, and his wife died in 1885. They were the parents of twelve children, three of whom died in infancy and two daughters in mature life. The rest of those who grew to mature years are still living, but the family is now widely scattered. Five brothers—Jacob R., William H., George A., Ralph B. and Edward A. are living in Sprink County South Dakota, near Northville.
John G. Peterson was born May 31, 1831, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Van Buren County. The date of their arrival was October 12, 1839, and they settled upon a farm four miles south of Keosauqua Iowa, where our subject was reared to manhood. On attaining to mature years he left the parental roof and started out in life for himself, his capital, as before stated, being one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land. With characteristic energy he improved this tract, transforming it into rich and fertile fields, and as his financial resources increased he made other judicious purchases from time to time, until his possessions now aggregate seven hundred and sixty acres. In addition to the cultivation of his farm, he is engaged in feeding cattle for the market, which branch of industry also yields him a good income. Mr. Peterson is a sagacious and far-sighted businessman, and the success which has attended his efforts is the result of his own thrift, perseverance and good management, supplemented by correct business principals.
In 1852 Mr. Peterson, was united in marriage with Mary Jane Creath, but after a short wedded life of five years she was called to her final rest, dying in 1857.
He was again married in 1859, to Margaret E. Stemple, who was born in 1846. One child graces their union—Jennie, wife of Frank P. Blanchard, and has two children, Beulah and John G. In politics Mr. Peterson is a Republican and has served as Assessor but has never sought public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, in which he has certainly met with excellent success. Without displaying egotism, he may justly be proud of his business career.
I am not related, and am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.