Newton Co., IN Biography


Newton County, Washington Township.  From A History of Warren, Benton,
Jasper & Newton Counties, 1883.

   MARK PETERSON was born in Denmark April 18, 1834.  His father, John
Peterson, died when Mark was five years old, when he was bound out to
a citizen, who employed him about his farm part of the time, and sent
him to school until he was sixteen.  His mother died when he was twelve.
He worked on a farm at $9 a year, but, receiving a severe injury in
unloading grain, he was obliged to abandon farming.
   He then worked at a trade, working from 6 A.M. until 9 P.M. for $22
a year, the first year; $24 and $26, the second and third years.  If he
wanted extra money, he would often work until midnight.  In 1855, he
came to America, stopping at Reynolds, White County, Indiana, where he
worked at State ditching and farming.
   On February 28, 1861, he married Matilda Sandell, born in Sweden.
Seven children have been born to them--infant boy (deceased), Ettie E.,
Flora J., John H., Frank W., Nellie M. and Laura E.  In the winter of 
1861, he moved to Washington Township, Newton County, purchased a small
tract of land, and by hard labor and industry has accumulated a fine
property of 700 acres, well improved, with good buildings.  He also
raises stock.  In politics, he is a Democrat; in religion, Methodist
Episcopal.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain
the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof
of this consent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted By Gerald Born
Email - Wizzofozl0@aol.com