Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-
Gustave Peterson
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
GUSTAVE A. PETERSON. Too much praise
cannot be bestowed upon those, who, coming
to this county poor in purse and without
home or friends, save the dependent ones accompanying them, have yet overcome all obstacles,
hewed down seemingly impassable barriers between
them and the goal of success, and finally have
obtained worldly prosperity, while at the same time,
have gained the respect of those who know
them by their uprightness of character and honorable
dealing with all men. Thus we take pleasure
in recording a few of the most important events in
the life of Mr. Peterson, who, coming here poor,
has gained the respect of his fellow-citizens, both
by business management and the many admirable
traits of disposition which he possesses. Generous,
pleasant in conversation, shrewd in business, active
in all good works, he is an important member of
the political and social world in Sherman Township,
where he has a fine farm located on section 8.
Born in the central part of Sweden, March 25,
1833, Mr. Peterson was reared in the faith of the
Lutheran Church, of which his parents, Peter and
Anna Berkroat, were members in good standing, as
were their ancestors as far as known. Passing his
youth in a manner similar to the boys of this country
and day, our subject arrived at man's estate,
and then prepared to form home ties of his own. His
wife, with whom he was united in marriage in October,
1855, was in girlhood days, Miss Anna Charlotte
Munson, daughter of Jonas and Anna Munson.
For a few years following their marriage our subject
and his wife lived in Sweden, where two sons
and one daughter were born to them.
Hearing much of the prospects the land beyond
the sea offered to the poor of other countries. Mr.
Peterson decided to seek in the New World what he
was unable to gain in his native land, namely, a
comfortable home for his children, and provision
against want when old age forbade further labor.
In the spring of 1871, the family made the voyage
in a steamship, landing in Quebec, thence coming direct
to Moline, Ill. After stopping in that place
for a week, they proceeded to Monroe County, Iowa,
where our subject worked on a railroad for two
years, and thus saved enough to come to Kansas
and homestead 160 acres, comprising his present
home.
Upon his arrival in Clay County, Mr. Peterson
made a dugout, where he and his family lived for
seven years, during which time he was making improvements
constantly, planting forest trees, a few
varieties of fruit trees. As success began to smile
upon the efforts of tins industrious family, they
commenced to plan for their residence, which finally
was built, and now stands as a monument of what
can be accomplished by industry, rightly directed.
Adjacent to the house, are the other buildings necessary
to a well-regulated estate, consisting of stables,
corn-cribs and granaries. During the first two
years of his life in Clay County, our subject
worked on the railroad, and his wife would walk
four miles and do a large washing, two days of each
week. In this way they obtained the money to
buy a yoke of cattle and a plow, by means of which
they broke the prairie and improved their farm.
Now he has more than 100 acres in a high state of
cultivation, with pastures, meadows and timber,
while the whole is enclosed by good fences. A valuable
part of the farm is an orchard of about forty
trees, which annually yields bountiful harvests of
rich fruits.
A family of four children came to bless the home
of Mr. Peterson and his wife, viz.: Kate, wife of Clarence
Aber, a resident of Sherman township; Charlie,
John and Anna, who are under the parental roof and
are receiving such education as will prepare them for
whatsoever station in life they are called upon to fill.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members of the Lutheran
Church of Garfield Township, and he contributed
liberally of his means to aid in the erection of the
present church edifice. Politically, he is in hearty
sympathy with the Republican party.