A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 HENRY K. PETERSON is representative of one of the substantial families of Council Bluffs, and by his own earnest ambition and hard work has created for himself a large niche in the bar of that city. He is now head of one of the large law firms, with offices in the Park Building. Mr. Peterson was born at Council Bluffs, March 16, 1884, son of Mads and Christina (Kaar) Peterson. His parents were born in Denmark, and were young people when they came to the United States, his father in 1881 and his mother in 1883. They were married in the latter year, and are old and honored residents of Council Bluffs, where they are now retired. His father began his career as an American citizen without capital, and made his way to prosperity by industry. For many years he was foreman for the lumber company in Council Bluffs. Both are members of the Brethren Church and he is a Republican in politics. Of their seven children three are now living: Henry K.; William W., who worked his way through Harvard University, and is assistant state manager for the Southern Surety Company at Indianapolis, Indiana; and Raymond G., deputy county auditor of Pottawattamie County. Henry K. Peterson grew up at Council Bluffs, attended school there, and after graduating from high school, though without capital, he entered Drake University at Des Moines and worked and earned his living while attending school. He graduated from the law department in 1908 and then returned to Council Bluffs to engage in private practice. He was associated as a partner with Clem Kimball until Mr. Kimball's death on September 10, 1928. The law firm still retains Mr. Kimball's name. The firm is Kimball, Peterson, Smith & Peterson, and for years has enjoyed an extensive general practice. Mr. Peterson married in 1911 Laura May Robinson, who was born at Council Bluffs, daughter of Joseph Robinson, for a number of years in the hardware business there. They have three children, Josephine, born in 1915; Robert, born in 1917k, and Richard, born in 1925. The family are members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Peterson is chairman of the board of trustees and has been president of the Iowa Baptist Convention. He has also interested himself in fraternal organizations, being affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter and Council, the Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen of America, Maccabees, Yoemen, Tribe of Ben Hur and Loyal Order of Moose. In politics he is a Republican and for four years was city attorney of Council Bluffs, and six years a member of the school board. His work in behalf of schools has given him perhaps his greatest satisfaction in a public way. He has been president of the Council Bluffs Kiwanis Club and during 1925 was governor of the Iowa-Nebraska Kiwanis District. He has many times been a delegate to state Republican conventions, and was chairman and k eynote speaker of the 1930 Republican state convention. He is a member of the Pottawattamie County Bar Association, being president in 1930, and a member of the Iowa State and American Bar Associations, and it is to the law that he has devoted the best years of his life. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa History Project _http://iagenweb.org/history/_ (http://iagenweb.org/history/) Scott County, Iowa _http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm_ (http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm) **************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)