PETER HOKANSON.

PETER HOKANSON was born in Sweden on the 17th of December, 1832, and spent the first twenty years of his life in the land of his birth. Believing that he might better his financial condition in the new world he accordingly sailed for America in 1852, locating first at Galesburg, Illinois. In the vicinity of that city he worked as a farm hand until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when the spirit of patriotism being aroused in him, he enlisted in Company E, of the Eighth Regiment of Illinois Infantry. He served for one year, and during that time participated in the battles of Fort Spanish, Fort Blakely and several others of importance. Being overcome by the heat at Mobile, Alabama, and thus rendered unfit for further service he received an honorably discharge in 1865.

Mr. Hokanson at once returned to his home in Illinois, and again

worked as a farm hand for three years. In 1870 he came to Kansas and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the south line of Allen county in Cottage Grove township, where he has since carried forward the work of development and improvement until he now has a very valuable property. On it is located a good residence and one of the best barns in the county. He also keeps on hand such amount of stock as he can raise to advantage on his farm and everything about the place is in good condition.

Mr. Hokanson was married in Illinois in 1865 to Miss Johanna Olson, who died April 24, 1882, leaving three children: Albert, Charles and Hanna, the last named being now the wife of Benjamin Johnson. Mr. Hokanson has been a Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He came to this country in limited circumstances, but his hope of improving his condition has been more than realized. He found the opportunity he sought and his energy and careful management have brought to him a comfortable competence.

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