Keweenaw County Michigan
Keweenaw County Michigan
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Col. John P. PetermannPage 152-153-154 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD HOUGHTON, BARAGA AND MARQUETTE COUNTIESCOL. 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 1891. 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 1, 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.
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