Charles Oscar Peterson (also Carl Oscar Petersen) was born in Sweden, on September 24, 1855 according to his death certificate. My grandmother said he was from Vesterick, Sweden. She also said that his real father died when he was relatively young, and his mother re-married, but his step-father treated him badly and he ran away from home young, aboard ship. However, I don't have documents to support any of this information.
The first actual record I have of him is the 1900 US Census. He and his wife, Mary Jane Ford, appear living in San Mateo, California. The census says they arrived in 1899, though in later decades the year is as early as 1897. His occupation in 1900 is listed as "coachman," but in subsequent years his occupation is listed as carpenter. At that time he and Mary reported being married two years, though I have some reason to believe they actually got married in San Francisco in 1905, after their children were born.
He died on May 5, 1936 in Oakland, California. I have a copy of his death certificate, which was difficult to track down, but all fields asking for his birthplace or information about his parents (except country of birth) says "Unknown."
If you have any information about Charles please let me know. I am also interested in hearing from other relatives of Charles and Mary Jane.
Thank you,
Sarah
San Diego, California
