Peter Riser
Upon the role of Allamakee county’s honored dead appears
the name of Peter Riser, who at the time of his death in 1902 was
one of the substantial agriculturists and large landowners of
Lansing township. Although born across the water, practically his
entire life was spent in Iowa among whose pioneers he is numbered
and to whose development and progress he made important
contribution through the years.
Mr. Riser was born in Switzerland, May 31, 1838, and when he was
four years of age was brought to the United States by his parents
who established their home in Illinois. They there remained until
their son was fourteen years of age when they came to Iowa
settling in Allamakee county in pioneer times. Here Peter Riser
grew to manhood, aiding in the clearing, opening and developing
of the homestead and becoming a practical and able agriculturist.
At the age of twenty-one he began his independent career, turning
his attention to the occupation to which he had been raised and
winning success as a general farmer. Upon the death of his father
he inherited a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and upon this
property continued to reside until his death, each years adding
to his prosperity and to the high regard in which he was held by
his neighbors and friends. As circumstances justified he added to
his holdings, finally acquiring three hundred and sixty acres of
land upon which he made substantial improvements, erecting a
large barn and all the necessary outbuildings and installing the
needed farm equipment. The old log cabin in which the family made
their home in the early days still stands upon the homestead, but
the present residence is a fine, modern brick structure erected
some years ago.
In Allamakee county Mr. Riser was united in marriage to Miss
Catherine Marti, who was born in Switzerland, February 4,1844, a
daughter of Henry and Catherine (Blummer) Marti, who came to the
United States in 1853. They settled in Allamakee county and here
made their home until their death, the father passing away in
1871 as a result of a stroke of paralysis suffered seventeen
years before. Mr. and Mrs. Riser became the parents of the
following children: Marie Anna, who died October 17, 1871, when
she was seven years of age; John Henry, who is engaged in farming
near New Albin, Iowa; George William, a farmer of Lansing
township; Julius Edward, who passed away on January 10, 1900, at
the age of twenty-eight; Emma, the wife of John Babble; and
Philip and Barbara Catherine, both live at home.
Mr. Riser was ever stanch in his support of the republican party
and although he never sought nor desired office took an
intelligent interest in community affairs and could always be
relied upon to further progressive public movements. He was
public-spirited and loyal in all matters of citizenship,
cooperating heartily in those measures and projects which has for
their object the upbuilding and development of the county wherein
he had so long resided. This it was that at his death which
occurred November 11, 1902, Allamakee county lost one of its
representative and valued citizens. Mrs. Riser survives her
husband and makes her home on the farm, which is now conducted by
her son Philip. He is a member of the Methodist church to which
her husband also belonged and is a lady whose many excellent
traits of heart and mid have won her the affection and esteem of
all who know her.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index