PAUL EDMUND PETERSON

Sacramento County

Biographies

PAUL EDMUND PETERSON

PAUL EDMUND PETERSON. Without anyone to assist him in the securing a start in the world and without the aid of fortuitous circumstances commonly known as “:luck,” but by persistent labor and the constant exercise of frugality, Mr. Peterson brought himself to a position where he had the means necessary for investing in property. The land which forms his homestead lies seven miles south of Washington in Reclamation District No. 742, and possesses an increasing value. The entire tract of fifty-one acres it is his intention to devote to the raising of hops, for which work long and practical experience admirable qualifies him. At this writing he is giving considerable attention to the building of levees in order to reclaim that portion of his property which of recent years has lost its crops through the overflowing of the Sacramento river. When the work of reclamation is completed the land will possess exceptional advantages for hop culture and for the raising of garden produce.

The Peterson family is of Scandinavian origin. The founder of this branch of the family in America was Paul C. Peterson, who was born and reared in Denmark, and there learned the trade of a plasterer. Crossing the ocean in 1861 to the United States, he became a resident of Nebraska City, Neb., and there followed his trade for many years, until retiring from active duties. In spite of his seventy-two years, he is still sturdy and robust. During the year that he crossed the ocean Miss Caroline Nelson, a native of Denmark, also became a resident of the United States, and shortly afterward they were united in marriage. Mrs. Peterson died at the age of thirty-two years, leaving three children, Emma, Paul and Francis. The second of the children, Paul E. Peterson, was born in Nebraska City, Neb., September 22, 1864, and received a common-school education in his native town. The family having only limited means, it early became necessary for him to seek his own livelihood. At the age of eighteen years he left Nebraska and went to South Dakota, where he worked on a farm about one year.

Finding few inducements to become a permanent resident of the Dakotas, Mr. Peterson continued further in search of a suitable location. For two years he worked in a brickyard in Montana, and later was similarly employed in Washington for a year. From there in 1889 he came to California and settled in the Sacramento valley. By some fortunate chance he secured employment on a hop ranch and thus accident led him to his first experimental knowledge of an occupation for which he possesses considerable natural talent. During the years of his employment with hop ranchers he gained a thorough knowledge of every detail connected with the occupation. The first hop land that he operated for himself was a tract of ninety acres in Sacramento county, where twelve acres had been set out in hops two years before he purchased the property, and eight acres were set out under his personal supervision after he assumed control of the land.

With the season of 1902 Mr. Peterson began a five years’ lease to a hop ranch of thirty acres at Freeport, Sacramento county, where his profit for the past year (1904) amounted to more than $4,000, and both he and his partner in the enterprise, George Beitzel, have every reason to be encouraged by their success in the rental of the ranch. During the fall of 1903 he purchased fifty-one acres seven miles south of Washington, and here he and his wife (formerly Victorine Mouton, and a native of Sacramento county), have established their home. By the aid of the reclamation work previously mentioned, it is his hope to permanently prevent the previous disastrous consequences of high water, and thus make of the land a valuable and productive ranch. The confining nature of his occupation has prevented him from taking any part in political affairs, aside from casting his ballot at elections, when he gives his support to the man and measures of the Republican party.

Transcribed by Kathy Porter.

Source: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J. M. Guinn. Page 451. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.