R. H. Peterson of New London, Iowa

R. H. Peterson opened the first general store in New London, Iowa; his son, J. E. Peterson, the husband of Florence Lee, continued his father's ownership of the store until 1917 and under his tenure it grew immensely, once employing 28 people.

R. H. Peterson was born in 1831 in Pennsylvania. His father, Elias, was a blacksmith who'd moved to the United States from Sweden; his mother was Margaret [McCall] Peterson. In 1854 Robert H. graduated from college and in 1856 he made his way to Iowa where he earned a living teaching school in Boone, Monroe, Eddyville, and Albia, while farming during the summer. In 1858 he married Sarah Elizabeth Shelledy in Monroe, Iowa.

R. H. moved to New London in 1870, originally to teach; in 1871 he opened a small store. In addition to his son, John Edgar (J. E.), who joined his father in the business and eventually took it over, there were two daughters, Laura and Ida.

R. H. Peterson's General Store

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