August Peterson

AUGUST PETERSON. - Among the well-known and highly respected citizens of Kansas City, Kansas, are August Peterson and his wife, Mrs. Amelia Peterson, who have the distinction of being the first Swedish people to make Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kansas, their residing place. These useful citizens have resided here for more than forty years - since the year 1869, - and have witnessed the splendid development of the city. Their eldest child, Christine, now wife of Mr. Martin Holgerson, the plumber, located at 637 Orville avenue, was the first Swedish child in Wyandotte, and the brother, Albert Peterson, born in 1872, was the first Swedish boy to be born here. This son has for twenty years, been an employe of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, and still makes his home with his parents. The younger son, Walter A., has been engaged in the insurance business for the past twelve years, but is now making an extended trip along the Pacific coast. However, he still maintains his home in Kansas City. The subject and his wife have the pleasant relation of grandparents, to Mr. and Mrs. Holgerson having been born a daughter Irene, March 8, 1900, who is now twelve years of age. A son, born June 13, 1897, died January 8, 1898.

August Peterson was born in Sweden, November 30, 1843. He was educated in his native town and there learned the trade of carpentering. When he was but eighteen years of age he came to the United States and at about that time the Civil war broke out. Young Peterson was employed by the government during that stormy period as a carpenter, he having become an expert in this line previous to his removal from his native country. He assisted in the construction of hospitals and block houses. He was stationed in Nashville, Tennessee and on Lookout Mountain and thus found himself in the very center of the great conflict between the states. He was in Nashville when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

At the end of the war, Mr. Peterson went to Chicago where his marriage took place, and shortly thereafter removed to Kansas City. He soon secured a position with the Union Pacific Railroad to assist in the rebuilding of the shops which had been burned. At the conclusion of this work he was given a position in the coach yard and this position he retained for thirty-eight years. In view of this fact, no comment concerning his faithfulness and skill is necessary. In 1908, on account of the failure of his eyesight, Mr. Peters was retired and pensioned and now he and his admirable wife are enjoying themselves on what they have been able to accumulate throughout the busy thrifty years. One of their chief pleasures is an occasional trip on the Union Pacific System, Mr. Peterson having been given an annual pass by the company. The modern brick house in which the subject lives at present is not the first house he owned here. In 1873 he built his first house, a frame structure, at 608 Nebraska avenue, and occupied it until 1903, in which year he built the house at 610 Nebraska avenue, where he now resides. He also owns the house at 612 Nebraska avenue, having built that himself.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Peterson occurred in Chicago, December 23, 1869. She was born in Sweden, November 10, 1843, and her parents both died when she was very young. In 1867 she came alone to America and her brothers and sisters followed her later. Mr. Peterson is a former member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1870 he joined the Swedish Lutheran church and he was at one time a trustee of the church. He and his wife are held in honor and affection by all those who know them best.