From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 662 - 663
 
ALBERT E. PETERSON.  One of the progressive twentieth century farmers of 
LaGrange township, Walworth county, who ranks among the best of his fellow 
tillers of the soil is Albert E. PETERSON, a native son, and the representative 
of a good old family, and here he has spent his life.  "His sober wishes never 
learned to stray," for he knew that no better place could be found for his 
chosen line of work, and succeeding years have brought to him increasing 
success.
 
Mr. PETERSON was born in this township, on the farm where he still lives, on 
July 24, 1869.  He is the son of Erick and Anna (CHURCHILL) PETERSON, both 
natives of Norway.  The father was born at Voss, Burgin, May 13, 1831, and the 
mother in Nomadoln, Longsberg, May 15, 1837.  They spent their childhood in 
their native land, emigrating to America when single, he being about twenty 
years old, and she was twelve years of age when her parents settled in 
Muskegon.  Erick PETERSON came alone to Walworth county in an early day and 
located on the farm now in possession of the subject.  He was married in 
LaGrange township, May 3, 1856.  The father of the subject's mother worked in 
Racine county for some time, finally coming to Walworth county and bought a 
farm just west of the Peterson place and there spent the rest of his life.
 
Erick PETERSON first bought forty acres here.  This he improved and added to 
until he had a fine farm of over one hundred and sixty acres.  The place was 
timbered with the exception of fifty acres of marsh, covered with willow.  He 
cleared and improved the land, erected substantial buildings and here spent the 
rest of his life.  He was a well-educated man and was very active in the early 
day church work here, being a strong Lutheran, advocating the Norwegian church 
of Scaponong.  His family consisted of five children, one of whom preceded him 
to the grave by one year; the rest are living, as is also the mother, who makes 
her home on the old place.
 
Albert E. PETERSON, of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and when 
but a boy he assisted with the general work on the home place and here he has 
continued to work.  He has met with a large measure of success through his 
close application and his good management, and he owns not only the home place 
of one hundred and sixty acres, but also another place of equal size.  He has 
kept his land under a fine state of improvement and cultivation, besides 
erecting fine buildings.  Everything about his place not only indicates good 
management, but thrift and prosperity.  He carries on general farming, stock 
raising and dairying on a large scale, and each year finds him further advanced 
than the preceding.
 
Politically, Mr. PETERSON is a Republican and he has been supervisor of his 
township for the past three years, which office he has filled in a worthy and 
satisfactory manner.  He belongs to the Lutheran church.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)