Bio: Charles C. Peterson (1844)

Contact: Janet Schwarze
 

Surnames: Peterson

----Source: 1891 Biographical History of Clark Jackson Counties WI

Charles C. Peterson, owner and manager of the Merchant's Hotel, Black River Falls, was born near Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1844. He remained in his native land until he was sixteen years of age he then started out in the world on his own responsibility, and emigrated to America, being the first member of his family to cross the sea. He landed in the city of New York, and continued his journey to Chicago thence he went to Grand Haven, Michigan, and for some time was employed in the construction of a railroad along the Grand River. One year later he went to Muskegon, and there engaged as cook for a mining vamp in that vicinity this position not proving all that could be desired, he abandoned it and went to Pentwater there he was married, and took the contract to keep a boarding-house for Charles Mears, a lumberman he conducted this business successfully for a time, and then went to Manistee County, Michigan, where he opened a boarding house and hotel he afterwards located in the town of Manistee, and for five years kept a hotel in that place.

We next find Mr. Peterson located in Wisconsin, again employed in the building of a railroad, on the Green Bay and Winona branch. Later on he returned to his old occupation, keeping hotel, and then for a time he was interested in the raising of live-stock, and also did a considerable amount of trading with the Indians in furs and berries. Ten years afterwards he came to Black River Falls, and invested in farm lands, and did some lumbering. In November, 1890, he purchased his present hotel, and his long experience in this business enables him to anticipate the wants of the traveling public he and his wife do all in their power to render their guests comfortable, and being of genial, kindly dispositions they meet with unqualified success.

Mr. Peterson has been very prosperous in all his business dealings, and has accumulated a considerable amount of property. When one considers his youth in starting out in the world, and that he was a stranger in a strange land, too much praise cannot bestowed upon him. He and his wife have eight children, six daughters and two sons.