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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of the Great Lakes
Illustrated, In Two Volumes, Vol. II
Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1899

        [127]

              CAPTAIN PETER PETERSON, master and half owner of the large
           fore-and-aft schooner Winnie Wing, is one of the oldest and
           best known captains plying on the Great Lakes, having braved
           many of the worst storms since his career as captain, thus
           showing ability and skill in handling a vessel. He has prospered
           in his calling, which he followed from boyhood, and which was
           in a way inherited from his forefathers.
              CAPTAIN PETERSON was born in the small town of Fredericka,
           Denmark, in the year 1839, being one of four sons born to PETER
           and CAIRN NELSON. PETER NELSON was a fisherman, and followed
           that occupation in Denmark through life. His son, PETER, in
           early life, turned his attention to sailing, and at the age of
           fifteen went before the mast, sailing from Denmark on coast
           vessels plying the Baltic Sea, in which capacity he served for
           seven years. In the winter of 1861 he took passage at Hamburg,
           Germany, on the ship John Bertram, and set sail for New York.
           From there he went to Chicago, arriving there in March, and at
           once began his career as sailor on the lakes, sailing before the
           mast on the schooner O. Hayden for about one-half the season; he
           then shipped on the Metropolis for the balance of the year.
           During the season of 1862 he was on the schooner Three Bells,
           and in 1863 on the schooners Manitou, Walrus and Marcon. In 1864
           he went to New York, where he took passage on the steamer
           Morning Star, going to Havana, New Orleans and back to New York.
           Later he returned to Chicago, and in 1865 sailed on the schooner
           Triumph, which was lost at the North pier during the early part
           of the season. He then shipped on the schooner Planet, and in
           the fall of that year made a visit to his old home in Denmark,
           crossing the ocean on the steamer Allemania. Returning in 1868
           he sailed on the schooner Sonora as mate, and in the same
           capacity for a part of the season of 1867. In 1868 he was mate
           of the schooner Beloit; 1869 he sailed the Minnie Corlett as
           master, remaining with her until 1872, when he purchased an
           interest in the Winnie Wing, which he still sails. For more than
           a quarter of a century he has been in command of this vessel, a
           record that would be difficult to surpass. The Winnie Wing was
           formerly engaged in the grain trade, but is now mostly carrying
           lumber. He also owns a half interest in the schooner Apprentice
           Boy, in partnership with CAPT. JOHN PEIL, purchasing it about
           1889.
              In 1868 CAPTAIN PETERSON was married to Miss Anna Miller, and
           to them five girls (all of whom are dead) and two boys were
           born. PETER, the eldest son, is married and resides in Chicago,
           his occupation being that of a bookkeeper; THOMAS J. is fol-
           lowing in the footsteps of his father, and has for the past four
           years sailed as mate of the Winnie Wing.
              In 1879 the Captain's wife died, after a protracted illness
           of several years, and two years later he married his second
           wife. Miss BERTHA RATHKE, a native of Germany. Two children
           blessed this union, but died while yet in their infancy.
              In the winter of 1896-97 Captain and Mrs. PETERSON visited
           their old homes in Denmark and Germany, respectively, and
           passed a couple of months among their old friends and
           acquaintances very pleasantly.
              The Captain is in every sense of the word a self-made man,
           and has now for thirty-seven years sailed out of Chicago. He has
           the record of towing more spars across the lake than did any of
           his contemporaries. Besides his interests in vessel property, he
           owns a three-story brick store and residence on Clifton avenue
           and a three-story brick flat on Garfield avenue, Chicago.

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