Biographies | 1896 Bios
Charles Eric Peterson
Mr. Peterson, as his name suggests, is a native of Sweden. He was born on the 13th of March, 1848, and, being left an orphan at an early age with no heritage save an untarnished name, the success he has attained in life is due entirely to his own efforts. His widowed mother came to America when he was but a child of about four years, and he was the youngest of the three boys. The mother was taken with that dread disease, consumption, soon after she arrived in this country, and died in Galesburg, Illinois, about three years later; the brothers afterward were separated. The second brother, John, died near Monmouth, Illinois, in 1858, at the age of about sixteen. The older brother, Peter, was a resident of Texas when the Civil war began, and was drafted into the Rebel service; but he soon made his escape to Mexico and enlisted in the Union army, as soon as he had an opportunity, and served until the close of the war. He died in Texas a few years later (about 1868), after having accumulated a considerable fortune; but what remained after his death was all smuggled away, so that Charles E., the only heir, never received one cent--not even an article to keep as a memento! Charles E. found a home with John S. Hamilton and came with him to Panora, in September, 1856, and with him he lived until 1869.
He acquired his primary education in the public schools, and previous to the age of thirteen took but little interest in his studies. At about this time he began to realize the importance and need of an education, and resolved to devote himself to its acquisition. He attended school a few months in the winter season, and the knowledge there acquired, supplemented by private study, enabled him to secure a teacher's certificate when he was twenty years of age. By teaching in the country schools of Iowa and Kansas he earned the money to pay his own way through the Iowa State Agricultural College, where he was graduated in 1875, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. After this he taught one year in the public schools of Panora, and three years in the Guthrie county high school. As a teacher be was popular and successful, and made hosts of friends, both among his pupils and patrons. In 1880 he engaged in his present business, to which he has given his close and earnest attention for fifteen years, meeting with well merited success.
Mr. Peterson was married on the 20th of May, 1891, to Mrs. Maggie Harper, nee Caskey, who was born and reared in Iowa. By her former marriage she had two children--Joseph and Minnie.
Fraternally, Mr. Peterson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Panora Lodge, No. 145, in which he has passed all the chairs. He also holds a membership in Fraternity Lodge, No. 176, K. of P., of which he is a charter member, and in which he has filled all the chairs. As a popular and progressive business man and as a worthy citizen he is entitled to the high esteem in which he is held.
A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company 1896, pg. 243.