Ralph A Peterson, county agricultural agent, was born June 5, 1888 at Ellsworth, Wis., son of Andrew and Lena (Olson) Peterson. The father came to America when young residing at Manitowoc, where he subsequently married Lena Olson, who was a native of Wisconsin. They later settled in Ellsworth, where Andrew Peterson followed farming being also connected with the lumber industry, until his death on May 5, 1905. His wife is still a resident of Ellsworth. They had six children: Alma, residing in Ellsworth; Nora now Mrs. Albert Settigren of Seattle, Wash.; Lucille who is Mrs. Frank Larson of Seattle, Wash.; Ruth and Harold, residing at home with their mother: and Ralph A., subject of this sketch. Ralph A Peterson as a boy attended the public and high schools of Ellsworth, being graduated from the high school in the class of 1910. He then entered the State University at Madison, which he attended for a year and a half. While there he took an active part in athletics, winning his varsity letters in the crew. He was also elected president of the sophomore class. Mr. Peterson later entered the River Falls Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1914. He then took charge of the agricultural department and the school farm of Ellsworth High School, and also had charge of the athletic department , covering a period of three years. On Sept 19, 1917, he enlisted at Ellsworth, Wis., and was assigned to the 503d Engineers, which organization was training at Camp Merritt, New Jersey. On Nov. 26, 1917 he left for overseas and after landing in France served with the Engineering Units in construction work for 12 months. His company was then attached to the 20th Engineers and the remaining six months in France was spend in the Forestry service. Mr. Peterson returned to the United States May 19, 1919, with the rank of sergeant, and once more entered the agricultural department of the State University at Madison, where he completed the courses. During this period he received a citation from General Pershing for excellent services while in France. On July 1, 1920 he accepted his present office as county agent of Wood County, a position which he is still holding and which he has filled to the satisfaction of the people of the county, his work having been of the highest order. He has made a reputation for himself as one of the most active and competent county agents in the state, also as that of a man who "is everybody's friend and a friend to everybody." Mr. Peterson was married Nov. 26, 1910 at St. Paul, Minn. to Mabel J. Beardsley, daughter of Frank and Nettie Beardsley, who are prominent people of Ellsworth, (from Wis. History of Wood County [1923] by George O Jones and Norman S McVean)
Ralph A Peterson, county agricultural agent, was born June 5, 1888 at Ellsworth, Wis., son of Andrew and Lena (Olson) Peterson. The father came to America when young residing at Manitowoc, where he subsequently married Lena Olson, who was a native of Wisconsin. They later settled in Ellsworth, where Andrew Peterson followed farming being also connected with the lumber industry, until his death on May 5, 1905. His wife is still a resident of Ellsworth. They had six children: Alma, residing in Ellsworth; Nora now Mrs. Albert Settigren of Seattle, Wash.; Lucille who is Mrs. Frank Larson of Seattle, Wash.; Ruth and Harold, residing at home with their mother: and Ralph A., subject of this sketch. Ralph A Peterson as a boy attended the public and high schools of Ellsworth, being graduated from the high school in the class of 1910. He then entered the State University at Madison, which he attended for a year and a half. While there he took an active part in athletics, winning his varsity letters in the crew. He was also elected president of the sophomore class. Mr. Peterson later entered the River Falls Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1914. He then took charge of the agricultural department and the school farm of Ellsworth High School, and also had charge of the athletic department , covering a period of three years. On Sept 19, 1917, he enlisted at Ellsworth, Wis., and was assigned to the 503d Engineers, which organization was training at Camp Merritt, New Jersey. On Nov. 26, 1917 he left for overseas and after landing in France served with the Engineering Units in construction work for 12 months. His company was then attached to the 20th Engineers and the remaining six months in France was spend in the Forestry service. Mr. Peterson returned to the United States May 19, 1919, with the rank of sergeant, and once more entered the agricultural department of the State University at Madison, where he completed the courses. During this period he received a citation from General Pershing for excellent services while in France. On July 1, 1920 he accepted his present office as county agent of Wood County, a position which he is still holding and which he has filled to the satisfaction of the people of the county, his work having been of the highest order. He has made a reputation for himself as one of the most active and competent county agents in the state, also as that of a man who "is everybody's friend and a friend to everybody." Mr. Peterson was married Nov. 26, 1910 at St. Paul, Minn. to Mabel J. Beardsley, daughter of Frank and Nettie Beardsley, who are prominent people of Ellsworth, (from Wis. History of Wood County [1923] by George O Jones and Norman S McVean)
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