L. H. Petersen
Of German birth, Mr. Petersen came to this country when a boy and has made an enviable record for himself as a farmer of Denison township, Crawford county.
He was born in Schleswig, Germany, March 24, 1876, a son of John and Mary (Thompson) Petersen, both of whom were also natives of Schleswig, where they were married. The father came to the United States with his second youngest son in the spring of 1885, the mother and remaining children arriving in the fall of that year. He located at Irvin, Shelby county, Iowa, where he was employed on a railroad until death ended his labors in 1890. He is survived by his wife, who resides at Buck Grove, Iowa.
To them were born eight children, as follows: John, who makes his home in Denison; L. H.; Thomas, who lives at Buck Grove; Dudlief, who is a farmer residing near Buck Grove; Lena, who is the wife of Bennett Trueper and lives in the vicinity of Buck Grove; Ira, who lives in Dakota; Dora and Johannah, deceased.
The public schools of Germany afforded L. H. Petersen his early mental training and when not pursuing his studies he occupied his spare time by working in the fields until 1885, when he emigrated to the United States. Coming to Iowa he spent four years in Shelby county, and later engaged in operating rented land in Crawford county for two years, making his first purchase of real estate in 1907, which consisted of eighty acres. By careful management he was enabled from time to time to add to his holdings until they now aggregate one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land. Mr. Petersen gives his attention principally to general farming and stock-raising but is also interested in the raising of poultry, making a specialty of fancy breeds, among which are the Partridge Wyandottes.
The marriage of Mr. Petersen occurred in 1901, when he was united to Miss Augusta Trueper, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, a daughter of William and Louisa (Eisenhauer) Trueper, in whose family were three children, namely: William, who lives in Denison; Bernhardt, residing in Buck Grove; and Augusta. Mr. Trueper's death occurred in Germany and Mrs. Trueper married again, her second husband being Carl Remen, a resident of Denison, by whom she had four children, Anne, Carl and Louis, residing in South Dakota; and Gertrude, who makes her home in Denison.
Mr. and Mrs. Petersen are the parents of four children, but only Arnold and Alma are now living. Eldon, who was born August 5, 1906, died January 3, 1911, and was buried in the Lutheran church cemetery.
In politics Mr. Petersen is a republican and although he has never desired nor sought public office he has always given his loyal support to the party of his choice. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a worthy example of the German-American citizen who after arriving in this country becomes imbued with the American spirit, and he has contributed to the best interests of the community in which he resides.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.