|
|
|
 |
Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 140 |
|
PETER A. RYDQUIST
|
As the name suggests, the subject of this review is not of Anglo-Saxon birth, but hails from Sweden, that romantic country of historic renown, long distinguished among the nations of the world for its grand natural features, as well as for its brave, hardy and God-fearing people. Peter A. Rydquist was born November 12, 1844, and his early years were devoted to the steady, plodding industry of a farmer boy among the mountains and valleys of his native land. He remained with his parents until a young man, when he left home and for some time thereafter worked on a railroad, to which kind of employment and agriculture pursuits he devoted his attention until about twenty-six years of age. Having, like many of his countrymen, conceived a strong notion of seeking his fortune in America, Mr. Rydquist, in 1870, was enabled to carry out his desire of long standing. In the fall of that year he took passage for the new world and in due time, after an interesting but uneventful voyage, landed at New York, from which city he made his way direct to Michigan where he soon secured remunerative employment on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. Later he worked for some time in the pineries, which kind of labor, with railroading, engaged his attentions until he took up a homestead, consisting of eighty acres, in Clam Lake township, Wexford county, on which he has since lived and prospered. With commendable industry Mr. Rydquist brought his land to a successful state of cultivation and he now has a well tilled farm and a comfortable home, his buildings and other improvements comparing favorably with the best in the county. He has added to his real estate until he now owns one hundred and twenty acres, all fine land, the tillable part being peculiarly adapted to grain, vegetables and fruits, large crops of which the subject raises every year. He has labored diligently to provide a home and a livelihood for himself and family and his efforts have been crowned with liberal rewards, as his present independent circumstances and the competency acquired for old age abundantly attest. Mr. Rydquist's wife, whom he married in Wexford county, was
formerly Miss Christina Hagstroom a native of Sweden, who came to the United
States some time in the seventies. She is the mother of six children, namely:
Oscar E., Esther M., Johanna S., Johan A., Selma E. and a daughter, Johanna, who
died at the age of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Rydquist are highly esteemed in
their neighborhood and have many warm friends. |