Jans P. Peterson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1870-1871 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JANS P. PETERSON, one of the highly honored citizens of 
Vermillion, is a native of Denmark, and he secured his early education 
in the excellent schools of his fatherland. He finally left the 
parental home and set forth to seek his fortunes in America, relying 
upon his own labors to make his way in the world. He located in 
Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farm work, after which he went to 
Illinois, where he showed his loyalty to the land of his adoption by 
tendering his services in defense of the Union. He continued in active 
service until victory had crowned the Union arms, having made a record 
as a valiant and faithful soldier.

	After the close of his military service Mr. Peterson returned to 
Wisconsin, while the next year he went into Illinois, where he was 
employed about a year, at the expiration of which he located in 
Muskegon, Michigan, where he found employment in lumber yards for the 
ensuing two years. He then went to Illinois, where his marriage was 
solemnized, and shortly afterward he removed with his bride to Iowa, 
where he remained six months. In the spring of 1869 he came to what is 
now Clay county, South Dakota, making the trip with team and wagon, and 
thus transporting his small stock of household goods as well as his 
family, and upon his arrival in the county his cash capital was 
represented in the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents. He took up 
government land and the original residence was a dugout, which he 
constructed as soon as possible after his arrival, and he then began 
the work of bringing the wild land under cultivation. He was energetic, 
persevering and endowed with good judgment, so that prosperity finally 
smiled upon him in no uncertain way. He has gained a competence and 
still owns his original farm, which is now improved with high-grade 
buildings and under a high state of cultivation, the place being 
managed by his son, who rents the same. A few years ago Mr. Peterson 
purchased a choice lot in Vermillion, and upon the same erected an 
attractive and commodious modern residence, and here he and his devoted 
wife have since lived retired. They are zealous and valued members of 
the Congregational church and have long taken an active part in 
religious work. In politics Mr. Peterson votes according to the 
dictates of his judgment, not being constrained by partisan dictates. 
He served as a member of the territorial legislature in 1872-3, and has 
held the entire number of township offices, having been clerk of the 
township for many years, while he served for several years as justice 
of the peace, and as a member of the school board of his township. At 
the present time he is a valued and loyal member of the board of 
aldermen of his home city. He retains a lively interest in his old 
comrades of the Civil war by his affiliation with the Grand Army of the 
Republic.

	Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Christine Hanson, and they 
became the parents of eight children.