Louis H. Petersen

PETERSEN, OVERBO, ARNESON, BENDICKSON, WEBERG, MARTINSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/19/2010 at 04:24:28

LOUIS H. PETERSEN

Louis H. Petersen, residing on section 21, Norway township, is one of the prosperous farmers of Winnebago county as well as one of the representative citizens of his community. He was born on the 16th of November, 1854, in Norway, but was only six months old when brought to the United States by his parents, Halvor and Anna (Overbo) Petersen, also natives of Norway, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of P. H. Petersen on another page of this volume.

For four years after coming to the new world the family lived in Dane county, Wisconsin, but in 1858 removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, and the following year came to Winnebago county, the father purchasing a farm in Norway township. Here Louis H. Petersen grew to manhood, his early education being acquired in the public schools, which he attended until sixteen years of age. Later he attended Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, for two years and thus obtained a good practical education. He then returned home and assisted his father in the operation of the farm until his marriage. His first purchase of land consisted of the east half of the southeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 21, Norway township, to which he later added the north half of the northeast quarter of the same section. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of very valuable and productive land, upon which he has made excellent improvements which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

At the age of twenty-six years, Mr. Petersen married Miss Carrie Arneson, a daughter of Erick and Catherine (Bendickson) Arneson, of Worth county, Iowa. Her parents are both deceased and are buried in Lime Creek cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have three children: Anna, now the wife of P. A. Weberg, of Norway township; Hartwick E., at home; and Edwin C., who was married February 25, 1916, to Miss Anna Martinson and is now operating the home farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Petersen hold membership in the United Lutheran church and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the locality where they make their home. Politically Mr. Petersen supports the republican party and he has been called upon to fill a number of local offices, serving as township clerk four years; township trustee the same length of time; a member of the school board for a number of years; and road supervisor for eight consecutive years. His official duties have always been faithfully and efficiently performed and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen he has done much to promote the interests of his community along various lines.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 466-467.