Senator Charles Fremont Peterson View All Years

This photograph is provided for official informational purposes only. The image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used without prior written authorization from the Iowa General Assembly. Requests for permission to use this image must be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the House for House members or the Secretary of the Senate for Senate members.

Charles Fremont Peterson

Wright County

Senator from the Thirty-seventh District, composed of the counties of Hamilton, Hardin and Wright, was born in Jefferson county, New York, September 3, 1856, a son of Alonzo M. and Jane A. (Hunter) Peterson, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ireland. He moved to Wright county, Iowa, in 1869 with his parents, who settled upon a farm, and has ever since been a resident of said county. Worked upon the farm, attended the common schools and afterwards, with the assistance of his parents, and resources derived from his own labors in teaching school, completed his education at the Iowa State University, graduating from the Law Department in 1878. Was married to Miss Mary Lowe of Benton county, Iowa, in 1878 and has two sons and two daughters. Entered the practice of law at Clarion in the fall of 1878, where he has ever since continued in the practice. Elected Superintendent of Schools in the fall of 1879 and served one term, and afterward was elected County Surveyor and served two terms, thereafter devoting himself exclusively to the practice of law. Elected County Attorney in 1890 and served in that capacity for two terms. Has been especially prominent as a lawyer in litigation growing out of drainage legislation in maintaining the power of the Legislature over the subject. Was nominated for Senator on the 3699th ballot at the fifth adjourned session of the Republican District Convention in 1906, and was elected by a comfortable plurality. A Republican in politics.

Senate District 37