Carroll-Tippecanoe County IN Archives Biographies.....Peterson, John A. 1842 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 23, 2006, 8:39 pm Author: John C. Odell (1916) JOHN A. PETERSON. The careers of self-made men invariably prove that indefatigable industry and good management constitute the basis of success. There are other elements, it is true, that enter into and conserve a man's personal advancement, such qualities, for instance, as perseverance, foresight and frugality, But the foundation of all achievement is earnest and persistent labor. John A. Peterson, who is one of the most extensive farmers and landowners of Adams township, Carroll county, has accumulated five hundred and twenty acres of land during his entire life and has received by inheritance only one thousand dollars. He had never sought any royal road to wealth and affluence, but has worked earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself. Today he is numbered among the influential citizens and business men of Carroll county. Mr. Peterson is a veteran of the Civil War and he also served nearly ten years as trustee of the township. John A. Peterson is a native of Sweden, born on December 20, 1842. He is the son of John and Christina (Hendrix) Peterson, who came to America with their family and settled at Lafayette in Tippecanoe county in 1853. After living at Lafayette until 1858, the family rented land in Adams township, Carroll county, and one year later John Peterson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land where he lived until his death, in 1873. His wife had passed away twenty years previously, during the summer of 1853. John and Christina (Hendrix) Peterson had five children, namely: Claus, the eldest, served throughout the Civil War, or until he was killed in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain; John A. is the subject of this sketch; Ann was the wife of Edward Condon, both of whom are now deceased; Harriet married Nelson Coble and they have one living child, Elma Coble, who married William J. Comber, an attorney of Little Rock, Arkansas; Louisa married Dan Coble, and they live in Adams township. Two children of Mr. and Mrs.- Peterson died in infancy. John and Christina (Hendrix) Peterson were members of the Lutheran church in Sweden, but, after coming to America, affiliated with the United Brethren church. John A. Peterson received his early education in the public schools of his native land; but completed his education in the district schools of Tippecanoe county, after coming to America. He also attended school for a time in Clay township. Mr. Peterson served about eight months in Company E, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War, having enlisted from Delphi. His term of enlistment was only six months, although he served eight. He received an honorable discharge on March 1, 1864, and in the meantime had taken part in several skirmishes and in the battle at Walker's ford. Mr. Peterson was first married in 1857 to Phoebe Hawkins, who bore him one son, Charles Peterson, now a resident of Adams township, where he owns a farm of one hundred and seventy acres of well-improved land. Mrs. Peterson died shortly after their marriage and Mr. Peterson married Mrs. Jane Timmons, who bore him one son, Arthur Peterson, who died at the age of twenty-four years. Mrs. Jane (Timmons) Peterson died in 1876 and Mr. Peterson married Catherine Fry on February 20, 1879. To this third marriage there have been born twelve children, all of whom are living: Theodosia lives at home with her parents; William F. lives near Delphi; Harriet is attending school at Bloomington; Tecumseh lives in Adams township; Closs lives in Montpelier, Blackford county, Indiana, where he is an attorney; Mary is in training to become a nurse and is now a student at the Indianapolis city hospital; Wesley lives in Adams township; George is at home; Clara is attending school at Muncie; Serilda is at home; James and Jonah are also at home. Four of Mr. Peterson's daughters are school teachers and one son is an attorney-at-law. The other sons are farmers. Not only does Mr. Peterson own five hundred and twenty acres of land in Adams township, but the land is all well improved. There are three good barns and houses on the farms. For many years Mr. Peterson was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but gave up the lodge work because it was difficult for him to attend the meetings. He is a stanch Republican, having served nine years and three months as trustee of Adams township, it being the longest record of any trustee who has served the township. Mr. Peterson also served as supervisor for a number of years. Mrs. Peterson is a member of the Church of God, the other members of the Peterson family being members of the Christian church. At one of the recent old settlers' reunions in this county, Mr. Peterson received a prize for having present the largest family represented at the reunion. The Petersons are well known, not only in Adams township where they live, but also in Carroll county. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Biographical Section of HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY INDIANA ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS BY JOHN C ODELL With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families ILLUSTRATED 1916 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/carroll/bios/peterson66bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/infiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb