Peder Christiansen Altona was born in Onsum, Fåberg, Oppland, Norway on January 6, 1830 to Christian Svendsen and Anne Pedersdatter (Raanerud) Onssum. He was baptized there on January 15, 1830. His sponsors were Lars Jorstad, Ole Larsen, Johann and Ragnild Onssum.

On May 3, 1864, he married Ingeborg Olsdatter Hogsveen in Fåberg , Norway. Daughter Anne was born Sept 3, 1865.

 In a census dated December 1865 Fåberg , Norway. Peder and Ingeborg were living with his parents, Christian and Anne, in a cottage allotment called Altona, along with their daughter Anne, and also his brother Simen Christiansen, a widower. They had 2 cows, 5 sheep and a pig. They grew barley, mixed grain, peas and potatoes.  

Another daughter Oline was born on July 17, 1868. Around that time they decided better opportunities awaited in America. In the spring of 1869, on the emigration ship the Humber, they traveled to America with their two small children. Arriving in Chicago on April 12, 1869. They stayed a short time in Neenah, Winnebago County and then relocated to Portage County in the Township of New Hope. They resided there for five years. While living there another daughter, Agnette was born on December 28, 1871. 

In 1874 they moved to Barron County. Here they took up a homestead of 160 acres in Sumner Township, Section 7. Additional children were born. Sons- Christian born March 9, 1875, Ludvig born June 25, 1881, and Paul born June 20, 1883. This is where they lived out their days. Their homestead was wildwood, clearing the land was necessary to build up their farm. He walked to Rice Lake and to Sumner to do his trading. He built a 16 x16 foot log cabin, the first Norwegian Lutheran services were held there. He was a hard worker and lived out his life on the farm. For the last 12 years of his life he was unable to do the work and his sons managed the farm. He died on May 12, 1911

Peder continued to use the name Peder Christiansen Altona as noted on several documents from those earlier years. Eventually the "a" was dropped and the name became Alton.

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Copied from page 405 of The History Of Barron County, Wisconsin, published in 1922 by H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Minneapolis, Minnesota

Peter Alton, a pioneer of Sumner Township, was born in Norway, Jan. 6,1830, descended from a good line of Norwegian ancestry. He was reared and educated in that country, and on May 3, 1864, married Ingeborg Olson, who was born in that country, April 29, 1840. In 1869 they came to America with their two children, Anna and Oline. Upon reaching Wisconsin they stopped a short time at Neenah, in Winnebago County, and then located in Portage county, where they farmed for a number of years. In the middle seventies they came to Barron County, and secured 160 acres of wild land in Section 7, Sumner Township. At first they had but little to do with. He had to walk to Rice Lake or the old town of Sumner to do his trading, bringing supplies home on his back. The first summer he purchased a cow, and in time raised and trained two of her calves for oxen. Mr. and Mrs. Alton were true pioneers, and underwent all the experiences incident to life in this part of the county in the early days. In their log cabin, 16 by 16 feet, the first Norwegian Lutheran services were held in this vicinity. With the passage of the years they prospered, and in time built up a good farm. He died May 12, 1911, and his widow is still living on the home place. Two children already mentioned, Anna and Oline, were born in the old country. Nettie was born in Portage County, this state. Christ, Ludwig and Paul were born on the place in Barron County.

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Page 10 The Rice Lake Chronotype published in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on Thursday May 18, 1911-

Obituary- Peder Alton died at his home in the town of Sumner May 12th at 11:30 a.m. at the ripe old age of 81 year, 4 months and 6 days. The funeral was held Sunday at 2 o'clock p.m. Services were conducted by the Rev. Chariton of Cameron who spoke in English and Simen Brein, a life time friend of deceased, spoke in Norwegian. The church choir of Canton rendered some appropriate songs for the occasion.. Interment was made in the Little Pokegama Cemetery. Peder Alton was born Jan 6th, 1830 near Lillehammer, Norway, where he spent the days of his youth. He was married in 1864, emigrated to America in the spring of 1869 and located in Portage County where they stayed for five years. They came to Barron County in 1874 and took up the homestead where he resided until his death. He was a hard worker while in his prime but began to fail about 20 years ago and the last twelve years he has not been able to work but suffered no pain in particular. He was never known to complain, always satisfied and when he was taken worse a couple of weeks ago he was well aware the end was near. He had all the comforts an old father could ask for and the end came peacefully and easy. He leaves and aged widow, three daughters and three sons which are all the children they ever had and all were present at the funeral; Mrs. M. (Anne) Rude of Rice Lake, Mrs. J.K. (Oline) Josephson also of Rice Lake, Mrs. O. (Nettie) Hovre of Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Ludwig who has a fine farm in the near neighborhood and Christian and Paul who are home running the farm. The family has the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement.

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Also on that same page of the newspaper.....

Page 10 The Rice Lake Chronotype published in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on Thursday May 18, 1911

Canton News clip- Peder Alton, one of our oldest settlers, passed away after an illness of several weeks, at his home in the town of Sumner, on Friday, May 12, aged 82 years. The funeral, which was largely attended, was held on Sunday, May 14, and was conducted in the Norwegian language by Simon Brein and in English by the Rev. Chariton. The interment was in the John O. Moin cemetery. Mr. Alton had been a resident of the town of Sumner over thirty years, and by persistent industry had brought under cultivation a fine farm, overcoming in so doing what would have appeared to a more timid soul insuperable obstacles. Of an obliging disposition and of the strictest integrity he deservedly had the respect of all with whom he come in contact. He is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters.

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****Note- The cemetery was on land donated by John O. Moin, it was also referred to as the Pokegama Cemetery, also known as the Halvorson Cemetery and was later named the Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Located in the Township of Sumner, Barron County, Wisconsin