JOHN P. PETERMANN
Colonel JOHN P. PETERMANN, one of the best known and most
enterprising merchants of Keweenaw and Houghton counties, conducts stores at Allouez,
Kearsarge, Phoenix and Mohawk, but makes his home in Allouez. He is considered one of the
substantial men of his section of the State, having been identified with many enterprises
and public improvements which have added to its resources. Colonel Petermann was born in
Ontonagon
County, Michigan, in 1863, and is a son of F. D. Petermann, who was a
pioneer of the Lake Superior copper region.
F. D. Petermann located in Ontonagon County a half century ago and spent some 35 years in the mining business. He served as mining captain
at the Ontonagon, at the Calumet & Hecla, but retired about 1888
and
removed to Buffalo, New York, where he still resides with his wife and
youngest daughter. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics.
He and his wife became parents of the following children, all of whom
are
living: George H., who has charge of our subject's Mohawk store; Col.
John
P.; F. D., Jr., who conducts a store at Wolverine; Albert E., a member
of the well known law firm of Kerr & Petermann at Red Jacket; Mrs.
F. B.
Arnold, whose husband is a minister of the Lutheran Church, having been
formerly pastor at Calumet; and a younger daughter who lives with her
parents.
Col. John P. Petermann was five years old when his parents moved to
Calumet, Michigan, and there he received a common school education.
This
was all the schooling he received, and such further education as he now
possesses was acquired through contact with the world. For a number of
years
he was in the employ of the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company as
locomotive engineer, but resigned about 12 years ago, when he
established a general
store at Allouez in 189I. His success was such as to warrant him in
establishing stores at a later date at Mohawk, Kearsarge and Phoenix.
To these
stores he devotes his attention mainly, but is interested in other
business
ventures. He is president of the Lake Superior Produce & Cold
Storage
Company, with offices at Houghton, which was organized in April, 1899,
and has done a large and remunerative business. The other officers are
William Parnall, vice-president; A. J. Ruhl, general manager, and W. J.
Ruhl, secretary and treasurer. Our subject is also extensively
interested
in logging operations in Keweenaw County, Michigan, and is a
stockholder
in various mining companies.
Colonel Petermann was a member of the Michigan National Guards for 18 years, and in 1898 volunteered with the regiment for service in the
Spanish-American War. He was colonel of the 5th Regiment, Michigan
National
Guards, and later of the 34th Reg., Michigan Infantry, U. S.
Volunteers,
which served in the Cuban campaign. He spent 52 days with his regiment
in Cuba, and participated in the first engagement at San Juan. His
regiment was mustered out in September, 1898, but he was not mustered
out until January I, 1899. He spent one year more in the Michigan National
Guards, and then resigned his commission.
Colonel Petermann was united in marriage with Ida Bollman, adopted
daughter of E. Bollman, who is president of the village of Laurium,
Michigan, and they have six children, namely: Philip: Paul; Karl;
Lydia; George
and Ida. In politics he has always been a Republican, and has
frequently
been called upon to serve in minor offices. He has served as supervisor
of
Allonez township, Keweenaw County, in a creditable manner. Religiously
he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church.
Source: Biographical Record, Houghton,
Baraga and Marquette Counties. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1903. |