California Biographies
Peterson, William

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Peterson, William. Was born in Henry county, Tennessee, February 15, 1828. When
quite young his parents moved to Washington county, Missouri. In 1847 Mr.
Peterson participated in the Mexican war, being mustered in at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas, in Captain Jones' Company, William Gilpin's Battalion, and after serving
fourteen months was honorably discharged at Independence, Missouri. In 1850 he
crossed the plains to California, being four months in making the journey. He
first began mining on the South Yuba, near Nevada City, where he continued
during the Winter of 1850-51, when he proceeded to San Francisco, and from
thence to Cold Springs, where he engaged in mining, livery and hotel business.
During the year he also participated in the Indian war of 1851, under Captain
Tracy. Early in 1852 he came to this county and settled on land now known as the
Clark Ranch, where he only remained a short time, and in 1855 moved to his
present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. Married Martha L.,
daughter of J. H. Steel, of Polk county, Missouri, on September 21, 1854, she
being born February 22, 1837. Their children are: Bellariah J., born January 8,
1856; Verlema, born February 14; 1858; Columbus, born March 31, 1860; Susan,
born February 16, 1862; John Lee, born April 1, 1864; Willie, born March 12,
1866; August, born September 28, 1871; James C, born February 12, 1874; Eleanor,
born February 11, 1877.

Source: HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, Alley, Bowen & Co. 1880