Cottonwood County MN Biographies--Peter Neufeld
"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



Peter G. Neufeld was born in Tuerstenan, South Russia, April 23, 1860, a son of Gerhard Neufeld, who was born in the same place, November 4, 1827. The mother of the subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Anna Tocchrew, was also born in Russia, where she died.

Gerhard Neufeld was a minister in Russia, and also engaged in farming. He came to America in 1878 and located in Cottonwood county, near Mountain Lake, Minnesota. He settled on a farm of six hundred and forty acres, and continued to live there until about 1895, when he retired from active work. He now lives in Mountain Lake. He was the father of six children, all of whom are living: Catherine, Anna, Maria, Gerhard, Peter G. and Henry G.

Peter G. Neufeld was educated in the schools of Russia. He came to America with his father, arriving in New York, July 2, 1878. He cared with his parents to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and after coming here he attended school at Mountain Lake, in order to acquire some knowledge of education adapted to this country. During his minority he worked on his father's farm. In 1894 he engaged in the business of buying grain at Mountain Lake and continued in this business for a few years. In 1899 he was appointed to the office of clerk of the court, in Cottonwood county, and on June 1, of that year, he came to Windom to assume the duties of his office. He has continued to hold this office ever since, having been elected as his own successor at each election since 1899.

Peter G. Neufeld was married on April 28, 1889, to Anna Penner, and to this union five children have been born: Margaretha, Anna, Justina, Mathilda M. and Elizabeth R. Mr. Neufeld has always taken an active part in politics. He is one of the leading Republicans of the county and is deeply interested in the promotion of the principles of that party.