Okay now for a history lesson
Here's a nice family history of Sheridan Peterson from a 1902 California history book (extracted page attached).
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California
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LoginThat is, the person Sheridan Peterson is named after, his grandfather.
And his great-grandfather Barzillai A. Peterson, son of of Capt. Frederick Peterson.
I love how his great-grandmother, Mrs. Albertine Du Bois, was born in Belgium, and came from wealth:
"... was born in Belgium September 13, 1838, a daughter of Victor and Victorian Horion, both of whom were natives of Belgium, coming from wealthy and aristocratic families"
I'm sure Sheridan shudders at the thought of his grandfather and great-grandfather being staunch Republicans.
SHERIDAN PETERSON. To the person who applies himself to the occupation which he has chosen as his life calling there must of necessity follow good results, if determination and uprightness of purpose form a part of his make up. Mr. Peterson may with truth be named as a man of this stamp, for his present position among the farmers of Russian township, Santa Rosa county, has been reached only by industry, honor and strict attention to agriculture and horticulture. Upon a tract of three hundred and eighty acres Mr. Peterson and his brother Grant carry on one of the finest and most productive farms to be seen in the country round about, and in the raising of grapes and fruits of all kinds they have no superior.
The father of Sheridan Peterson was Barzillai A. Peterson, a native of the Bay state, born in 1814, a son of Capt. Frederick Peterson, who followed the sea as a means of gaining a livelihood. The latter married a Miss Wadsworth, a cousin of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was but natural that B. A. Peterson should have a predilection for the calling followed by his father, and his life upon the deep covered many years. As a young man of thirty five, in 1849, he was found among the vast throng who, attracted by the magic word California, had laid aside everything to take up the march to the western shore, whose wealth of yellow dust was reported as inexhaustible. From the fact that Mr. Peterson measured the entire distance on foot it goes without saying that his enthusiasm was deep-seated. Neither his hope nor labor was in vain, however, for we learn that he met with great success in his mining ventures on the north fork of the American river. Shrewdly divining that there was money in the freighting business he engaged in transporting goods from Sacramento to Shasta, receiving as high as $1 per pound for goods handled. In 1852 a longing for home faces and surroundings drew him thither, but the journey was quite different from the one made several years before, the return trip being made by way of the Isthmus and under circumstances much more favorable.
He made his home in the east until 1880, in which year he again sought the western coast and in Sonoma county purchased the farm of three hundred and eighty acres which his sons are now managing, and which is located eight miles from the town of Santa Rosa. Here his death occurred in April, 1898, after a busy and useful life. In his political sentiments he was a Republican. In his boyhood days he was often accompanied on fishing excursions by no less distinguished a person than Daniel Webster, and he was also proud to claim kinship to Henry Wads worth Longfellow. The marriage of B. A. Peterson and Albertine V. DuBois resulted in the birth of four children, as follows: Alfred B., who resides in Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Albertine Du Bois; and Sheridan and Grant, who conduct the old family homestead. Mrs. Peterson was born in Belgium September 13, 1838, a daughter of Victor and Victorian Horion, both of whom were natives of Belgium, coming from wealthy and aristocratic families. Mr. Peterson had traveled extensively and had seen a great deal of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
As his life companion Sheridan Peterson chose Catherine McQuiston and in her he has found a true helpmate. Three children have blessed this union, Chauncy W., Rubina Sarah and Marian Katherine. As was his father before him, Mr. Peterson is a stanch Republican, and he sincerely believes that the principles of the political organization to which he gives his allegiance are best calculated to bring permanent good to the nation. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Redmen, taking an interested part in both organizations.
Grant Peterson was united in marriage with Edith Yates, and three children have been born to them, their names in order of birth being Mildred, Thaddeus and Ames.
