Daniel H. Peterson
PETERSON, ANGLESON, JOHNSON
Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 12/20/2008 at 20:33:54
For many years Daniel H. Peterson engaged in farming in Winnebago county, but is now living retired in Lake Mills, having accumulated a competence and feeling that he has earned a period of leisure. He was born in Norway, January 30, 1833, and has therefore passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey, but in about ten years old. The mother subsequently removed with her children to the United States.
Daniel H. Peterson, after remaining at Waupaca, Wisconsin, during the first summer of his residence in this country, removed to La Salle county, Illinois, whence three years later he went to Rochester, Minnesota. He was employed on farms in that vicinity for about six years and on the 4th of July, 1865, arrived in Winnebago county, Iowa. He took up a homestead in Center township, which was then practically a frontier region, the only other settlers being Charles Smith and Helen Benson Groe. He erected a log house, in which he resided for a number of years, although later it was replaced by a commodious frame structure. He made other improvements upon his farm and in all his work strove to combine progressiveness with practicality with the result that as the years passed his resources steadily increased. In 1893 he retired and removed to Lake Mills, where he has since resided.
When twenty-four years old Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Martha Angleson, of La Salle county, Illinois, who passed away twenty-five years later. To them were born ten children, of whom four survive, namely: Hans, who is residing upon the home farm; Nels, a resident of Lake Mills; Bessie, now Mrs. Tom Angleson, of Brock, South Dakota; and Martha, the wife of H. M. Johnson, who resides near Blanchardville, Wisconsin. The wife and mother was buried in the North cemetery. In 1883 Mr. Peterson married Miss Harborg Angleson, a sister of his first wife.
Mr. Peterson supports republican candidates and measures at the polls, but has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. The rules which govern his life are found in the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church and his close adherence to high ethical standards has gained him the respect of all who know him. He was quick to recognize and take advantage of opportunities, and although he began his independent career empty handed, he is now financially independent. After he had begun to prosper he loaned money without interest to twenty-three friends in Norway to pay their transportation across the Atlantic and all of them emigrated to this country, where they too, met with success. He is stanch in his loyalty to America and all that it stands for, and has ever been willing to place the general good above his private interests.
Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1917, pages 282 & 285.
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