Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Peterson, Wier 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:40 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Peterson, Wier. - The Norwegian element is a very important one in Grundy 
County, for the sturdy sons of the Northland make desirable citizens wherever 
they elect to live, and where they are found there is sure to be thrift and 
industry. One of the good examples of what a Norwegian can accomplish in this 
country, provided he is willing to work hard and save money, is Wier Peterson, 
a retired farmer of Morris. Mr. Peterson was born in Norway, May 15, 1828, 
where his parents both died. In 1858 Mr. Peterson came to the United States, 
and at first came to Morris, but later moved to Lisbon, where he worked out 
for farmers. After his marriage in 1861, Mr. Peterson rented land for two 
years until he was able to buy forty acres of prairie land in Saratoga 
Township. This he improved, and built a house on it and when he sold it, he 
made a good profit. The money he received for his first farm was invested in 
eighty acres in the same township, and he added to this from time to time, in 
Grundy, and just across the road, in Kendall County, until he became the owner 
of 520 acres. He lived on his farm until he retired to Morris, when he 
disposed of his land to his sons.

On July 4, 1861, Mr. Peterson was married to Annie Thompson, a native of 
Norway, who came to Morris just before her marriage. The children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Peterson were: William, of Morris; Julia, Mrs. Ed. Erickson; Sarah, 
Mrs. Ever Sampson, of Morris; Mary E., Mrs. Lars Orstrom, of Iowa; and Thomas 
O., Edwin F. and Eli F., all of Saratoga Township; John, of Kendall County, 
and Anna M., who keeps house for her father. Mrs. Peterson died May 24, 1909, 
and is still deeply mounted by her sorrowing family. Mr. Peterson is a 
Lutheran. He is an independent Republican and served as school director for 
many years. His interest for many years was centered in farming, and he was 
recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists of Grundy County. Few men 
stand any higher in public estimation than he, and the Norwegians in this 
locality are especially proud of him, feeling that he has set a high standard 
for them to emulate.

page 883

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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