Peter W. Samuelson, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Peter W. Samuelson
PETER W. SAMUELSON. To the development of the agricultural interests of Porter county nearly every clime and people have contributed thrifty, industrious, progressive men, and their record is being written in enduring phrase in the section they are advancing. Sweden has given its full quota to the building, and helped to give it strength and character, and among its contribution may be mentioned Peter W. Samuelson, who, while not a native of that country, claims it as the birth place of his parents, John A. and Otelia (Wistrand) Samuelson. Mr. Samuelson was born on a farm about one-half mile north of his present property in section 7, Portage township, November 12, 1860.
The parents of Mr. Samuelson were reared, educated and married in their native country, and there had two children, Charles and Frank. In 1856 they immigrated to the United States and located in Portage township, where the mother of Peter W. Samuelson died in 1867. His father was married twice thereafter, and his last wife now resides in Chicago, and she celebrated her eighty-second birthday in May, 1912. John A. Samuelson died in March, 1890, after having spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He was a faithful member of the Swedish Lutheran church, and assisted in building the first edifice of that denomination in Baileytown, of which he was a liberal supporter all his life.
Peter W. Samuelson was reared on the home farm, and was given good educational advantages in the common schools, being instructed in both Swedish and English. He worked for his father until he attained his majority, at which time he was employed at wages, and soon after his marriage purchased his present property As Mr. Samuelson was possessed of only small capital, he was compelled to start in a small way and to begin married life in a humble home, but his operations have been so successful that he has now as fine a residence as is to be found in the township, and his property is one of the most desirable in the vicinity. General farming and stock raising have demanded his attention, and his land unmistakably shows the effect of intelligent and skillful management. He has won the right to be classed among the worthy men who have fought their way to success through individual efforts, for in youth only those advantages inherited from sturdy and worthy stock were his. During a long and active career he has shown an appreciation of the value of persistent endeavor, and thus attained success by well directed industry. In political matters Mr. Samuelson is an active Republican, with an abounding interest in the welfare of his party and faith in its principles. He has not failed in helping to promote its success, although he has never sought any of its honors for himself. Bearing himself creditably in all the relations of life, he has won the good will and esteem of the people among whom he made his home.
On April 30, 1885, Mr. Samuelson was married to Miss Jennie Nelson, who was born in Westchester township, July 18, 1865, daughter of N. J. and Christina (Johnson) Nelson, natives of Sweden who came to the United States as young people and are now living at Chesterton, Indiana. Mrs. Samuelson was educated in the common schools and confirmed in the Swedish Lutheran church. She and her husband have been the parents of five children, of whom four are now living: George, who is single and lives at home; Joseph, who died at the age of six months; Lillie, the wife of Rudolph Jannash, agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Willow Creek; Oliver, born March 18, 1899; and Pearl, born April 3, 1906. The family is well known in the Swedish Lutheran congregation at Porter. It was truthfully said by one of the citizens of Portage township that Peter Samuelson is a man whose word was as good as a bond -- and he possesses those characteristics which indicate geniality and cordiality of nature -- a friend to all.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 760-761
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook