Jacob C. Petersen
Living retired from the labors of a long and active career, Jacob C. Petersen is spending his declining days in the midst of ease and plenty. He is a man of well balanced mind, who at the beginning of his business life denied himself many comforts in order to acquire a competence. This he has accomplished and he is now one of the highly respected citizens of Crawford county.
He was born in Germany, February 7, 1842, a son of Fred and Anna (Keellsen) Petersen. The mother died in the old country, but the father came to America in 1884 and made his home with the subject of this review, passing away at the age of eightynine years. There were seven children in the family, namely: Annie, who became the wife of Hans Brotherson, of Otter Creek township, and is now deceased; Lizzie, the wife of K. Fredricksen, of Schleswig, Iowa ; Ferdinand, who died in Germany; Jacob c., of this review; Doris, who married Adolph Berger, of Ida county, Iowa, and is now deceased; Gusta, now the wife of Peter Petersen, of Crawford county; and Friedericka G., who became the wife of Thomas Petersen, of Ida county, and is now deceased.
Jacob C. Petersen was reared in Germany and educated in the public schools of his native land. At the age of twenty seven years, having decided that more favorable openings were presented in America than could be expected in a thickly settled country, he crossed the ocean and in 1869 came to Davenport, Iowa. In 1873 he removed to Crawford county and purchased eighty acres, which he cultivated to such good advantage that he acquired funds by which he was enabled to increase his farm to two hundred and eighty acres. He engaged in general farming and stockraising, and as he paid close attention to his business and used excellent judgment, he met with deserved success. In 1903 he retired to Schleswig and is now living in a comfortable residence which was erected under his directions.
On the 2d of December, 1872, Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Miss Annie Holst, a daughter of John F. and Christina (Lassen) Holst, who were the parents of five children, namely: Annie, now Mrs. Jacob C. Petersen; Maggie, the wife of John Haas of Mapleton, Monona county, Iowa; John F., of Denison; Christina, wife of John Witt, of Paradise township; and Marie, who became the wife of John Oeser, of West Side, Iowa, and both of them are deceased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Petersen seven children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Agnes, now the wife of E. Wolhman, of Otter Creek township; Christina, the wife of Carl Bell, of Schleswig; Maggie, now Mrs. E. Bielenberg, of Morgan township; Annie, wife of Morris Dellifsen, of Crawford county; Fred, also of Crawford county; and Hannah, wife of August Rienking, of Ida county.
Politically Mr. Petersen gives his support to the democratic party and is a stanch believer of its principles. He has served in all the minor township offices and also as trustee and justice of the peace. In discharging his duties as a public officer he evinced the same interest and ability that he has exercised in private affairs, thus gaining the confidence of all who know him. His success in his life vocation has been due to his strict probity and sagacity and the systematic manner in which he conducted his work. He 'is exceedingly popular with his neighbors who recognize that he possesses many generous and noble qualities.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.