Smyrna times., 1868-12-30
ALEXANDER PETERSON, ESQ.

The name of Peterson is known throughout
the United States and in Europe in connection
with the tanning business and the manufacture
Of quercitron bark. Different generations of
the same family have been prominently con-
nected with tanneries in Delaware and Phila-
delphia for the long period of eighty-seven
years The subject of our present notice is one
of the most conspicuous of the number, and
from an humble position has become man of
large wealth and influence
| Alexander Peterson, Esq, was born in the
town of Smyrna, Kent county, Delaware,
March 10, 1896. He traces his descent from
an old Swedish family of the name, who set
! tied on the Delaware river, more than two hun
dred years ago. His father, Israel Peterson,
learned the tanning business with Nehemiah
TiltJn, of Dover, and subsequently commenc-
ed a small lanyard on his patrimonial estate
near Smyrna, in 1881, since which time the
family have always been interested in the bust
ness.
A few facts in regard to the manner in which
the business was conducted in Delaware at that
period will be interesting. The business was
done by small tanners, who were to be found
in all the villages, and at the cross roads. Bark
was abundant and the competition for hides
was very great. The bark was procured in the
spring from the neighboring landowners who
were clearing their land, by going into the
woods and peeling what they wanted, the fell
ing of the timber and cutting it into pieces for
rails being the compensation for the bark. The
tanners resorted to the fairs which were held
n in the spring and autumn at various places in
y the State and on the Eastern Shore of Nary
+ land, where the planters obtained their semi
= annual supplies of dry goods, shoes, leather
etc., and there sold their surplus stock of leath
- er. Such was the state of the tanning busi
/ ness in Delaware up to 1900, about which time
d the tanners we're offered inducements to senC
e their leather to Philadelphia They took bach
: dry hides procured from the Spanish Main
Il and soon all the lower part of the State wa
; dotted with tanneries, engaged in tanning dry
= hides The State abounded in Spanish oak
"A bark, and about 1910 there were more DIR!
in hides tanned in Delaware than any other Stat
q in the Union. Neither water-power or steam
/. was used in the tannery. and everything wa
" done on the most primitive principle.
'S' The elder Peterson was succeeded in busineS
in 1906 by his son John, who, three years later
eo bought property in Smyrna, and started tar
re- yard there, which has been continued until thl
g. day. .,...
s9 ss At the age Of fourteen, in 1910, Alcxandc
ID Peterson left his fathers house to make. h
IN own way in the world. He obtained stu;
mt ton in a country store, where he RENAME
ad- three years. In l8l he went to Phladelphii
and entered the store of Thomas and Phil
Of Kelly, whose sales in shoes, leather, and 9TH
I'd. articles, amounted to three hundred thousat
the dollars a year. lie was, faithful uprlgh
hard-worEing clerk, and during his three yea
and Of service, won the cordial esteem OF MS en-
in ployers. ,G,Iu.: :: Drr1.,.l
sIs iss!: for some years. engaged enrrying andin 10