From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 824-825
 
PETER GUS PETERSON.  America has always held the gates of her entry ports ajar 
to the sons of Norway, and, having thus extended them a hearty hand of welcome 
and given them every opportunity to advance themselves after they got within 
our borders, they have come in large numbers from year to year and their 
substantial homes now dot the hills and plains of nearly every agricultural 
community of the Union and there is hardly a city of any importance in which 
we do not find their homes and places of business.  Thus they have aided us in 
developing this vast western hemisphere and we have in turn benefited them.  
They were reared in a land where Mother Nature is somewhat unkind, where the 
winters are long and the country rugged and one had to extend every energy for 
the food and clothing necessary to keep aglow the little flame of life.  This 
has enabled them to win success in this country of ours where there are 
unlimited opportunities, for they do to halt at any obstacle or permit any 
adversity to swerve them from their course.
 
One of this hardy band is Peter Gus PETERSON, a farmer of Sharon township, 
Walworth county, who began life with no capital, and by perseverance and 
economy is the possessor of a good farm and a comfortable home.  He was born 
in Norway on June 6, 1873.  He is the son of Peter and Ellena (OLSON) 
PETERSON, the father a native of Sweden and the mother of Norway.  They grew 
up in their respective countries and were married.  They never came to 
America.  The father devoted his life to farming, and was a quiet, hardworking 
man and known as an honorable citizen.  His death occurred on January 10, 
1890, his wife having preceded him to the grave on April 15, 1880.
 
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter PETERSON, named as follows: 
Katherine, deceased; Olaus, deceased; Olena and Christina live in Chicago; 
Marens lives in Norway; Emma lives in Chicago; Bernt lives in Norway; Peter 
Gus, of this sketch.
 
Peter G. PETERSON grew to manhood in Norway and received his education in the 
schools of his home community.  He came to the United States in 1891 and went 
direct to Chicago.  He learned the carpenter's trade in this country and this 
he followed for two and one-half years in Chicago.  He turned his attention to 
farming and came to Sharon, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he worked as a 
farm hand for about five years.  Then he married on February 23, 1899, and 
bought a farm of sixty acres, which he retained only a short time.  Selling 
this place, he purchased the farm of sixty-seven acres where he now lives at 
the edge of Sharon.  He has a very valuable and desirable place, which he has 
under excellent improvements and cultivation, and is successfully engaged in 
general farming and stock raising.  He has a good home and good outbuildings, 
all of which he has made through his individual efforts, for he had to start 
in life empty handed, and, this being the case, he is deserving of a great 
deal of credit for what he has accomplished.  Fraternally, he is a member of 
the Modern Woodmen and the Equitable Fraternal Union.
 
Mr. PETERSON was married to Mary Ann SMITH on February 23, 1899.  She is the 
daughter of Ira and Barbara SMITH, a highly respected family and well known in 
the northeastern part of Boone county, Illinois, and are very well known in 
that part of the country.  To Mr. and Mrs. PETERSON three children have been 
born, named as follows: Rae Everett, Vivian Eleanor and Willard Russell.
 
Submitted by Carol