One of the enterprising farmers of Staunton township is Mr. Peterson, who owns and operates a tract of ninety acres on section 20. He was born in Staunton township May 28, 1831, a son of Ralph and Sarah (Hardinbrook) Peterson. The father was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, and came to Miami county in 1827, locating on the farm where the birth of our subject occurred. He there entered one hundred and sixty acres of raw land from the government, the tract being still in its primitive condition. He then erected a double log house of two rooms, after which he began the arduous task of clearing the land, which was covered with a heavy growth of oak, walnut and maple trees. His large forest of maples led him to establish a sugar camp, which he conducted for a great many years. He was also successfully engaged in the raising of grain, and extended the scope of his labors by conducting a cooper shop. His industry was very marked, and he was actively connected with business interests for many years. He continued his residence upon the farm until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-three years of age. He was a leading and influential citizen, who served for three years as county commissioner, holding that position at the time the jail was built in Troy. The main part of the county infirmary was also built during his incumbency, and his official support was given to these and to all other measures which be believed would prove of' public benefit. In politics he was a Republican, earnest in his advocacy of the principles of the party.

The parents of our subject had a family of eleven children: Mary and Alexander, both deceased; Emily, wife of Jeremiah Counts, of Sedalia, Missouri; Madison, who lives in Piqua; John G.; Jacob, who is living on a part of the old homestead farm; Julia A., who died in infancy; Martha, wife of William Cushion, a resident farmer of Staunton township; Adeline, deceased wife of Dr. Walton, of Piqua; William, who is living in Piqua; and Charles, now deceased.

Mr. Peterson, of this review, was born and reared on the old home farm, and obtained his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. The first school which he attended was held in a building constructed of logs, and furnished after the primitive manner of the times. He assisted in the work of the farm until sixteen years of age, and then began learning the stonecutter's trade, at which he worked until 1860, when he returned to the old farmstead, which he operated in connection with his brother, Jacob, until 1866. In that year he came to the farm upon which he now resides. In the meantime, however, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting on the 2nd of May, 1864, as a private of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Camp Dennison and participated in the defense of Washington, being stationed at Fort Marcy, on the Potomac river, until honorably discharged, in September of that year.

Mr. Peterson was married, December 29, 1856, to Miss Catherine Brooks, and to them have been born four children: Ada, wife of Theodore Shearer; Willis, a farmer of Staunton township; Frederick now deceased; and Stella, at home. The family reside on section 20, Staunton township, where Mr. Peterson owns and operates ninety acres of rich and arable land. The place is conveniently situated on the Troy and Piqua pike, thus having easy communication with the town. Mr. Peterson carries on general farming, has placed his fields under a high state of cultivation and has made many of the improvements on his place. His agricultural methods are progressive, and he is accounted one of the wide-awake and practical farmers of the neighborhood. His ballot supports the men and measures of the Republican party. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Club, organized for the purpose of promoting agricultural interests by the interchange of progressive ideas, and for twelve years he has been a consistent member of the Christian church at Troy.