Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 4).djvu/791

Rh J. Peterson, and at the age of fourteen entered a hardware-store, and in 188!) hec^an business with Edmund Deacon. Subsequently they published the "Saturday Eening Post ""under the firm- name of Deacon and Peterson, and Henry was its assistant editor for twenty years. He has writ- ten a drama entitled "Helen, or One Hundred Years Ago," which was produced in Philadelphia in 1876, and is also the author of " The Twin Brothers " (New York, 1843); " Universal Suf- frage " (Philadelphia, 1867); "The Modern Job" (1869); " Pemberton, or One Hundred Years Ago " (1873); " Faire-Mount," a poem (1874): " Confes- sions of a Minister " (1874): " Bessie's Lovers " {1877); " Caesar, a Dramatic Study " (1879): and two volumes of " Poems " (1863 and 1883). — Henry's wife, Sanah Webb, b. in Wilmington, Del., 9 Nov., 1820, edited "The Lady's Friend" for ten years, and has written several poems. — Their son, Arthur, naval officer, b. in Germantown, 20 Sept., 1851. was assistant editor of the "Saturday Even- ing Post " and editor of " Peterson's Journal," after which he entered the navy as assistant pay- master in 1877, and in 1883 was promoted to passed assistant paymaster, ranking as lieutenant. He is the author of " Songs of New Sweden, and other Poems" (Philadelphia, 1888). — Henry's brother, Robert Evans, physician, b. in Philadelphia, 12 N"ov., 1812; d. in Asbury Park, N. J.. 30 Oct.. 1894. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1843, and afterward engaged in the second-hand book busi- ness. After the death of his father-in-law, John Bou- vier he founded with George W. Cliilds the publish- ing house of Childs and Peterson, and, after this was discontinued, studied medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, and was licensed to practise in 1862. He presented the library of his father-in-law. Judge John Bouvier, to the University of Pennsylvania. He edited one volume of Judge Bouvier's edition of Bacon's " Abridgment of the Law," an edition of " Familiar Science," founded upon E. C. Brewer's " Guide to Scientific Knowledge of Things Famil- iar" (London, 1850); and is the author of "The Roman Catholic not the only True Religion; not an Infallible Church" (Philadelphia, 1869).— Rob- ert's first wife. Hannah Mary Bouvier, author, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1811; d. at Long Branch, N. J., 4 Sept., 1870, devoted nmch attention to as- tronomy, and published " Familiar Astronomy, or an Introduction to the Study of the Heavens," with a " Treatise on the Globes and a Comprehensive Astronomical Dictionary," which was commended by many astronomers (Philadelphia. 1857). She died in the house of her son-ni-law, Mr. George W. •Childs, at Seaview, Long Branch. In 1872 Mr. Peterson married Blanche Gottschalk, sister of Louis M. Gottschalk, and after her death in 1879 married Clara, another sister of the pianist.

PETKtRU, James Louis, statesman, b. in Abbeville district, S. C, 10 March, 1789; d. in Charleston, S. C, 3 March, 1863. On his father's side he was of mixed Scotch and Irish descent, and his maternal ancestors formed a part of the Hugue- not colony that in 1695 emigrated to South Caro- Ima to escape religious persecution in France, He was graduated at the University of South Caro- Ima in 1809, admitted to the bar about two years afterward, and began practice in his native district, but soon removed to Charleston. He was state attorney-general in 1822-'30, succeeding Robert Y. Hayne, and during his occupation of that office took the highest place in the confidence of his con- stituents. But during the nullification difficulties of 1830-'2 he vigorously and eloquently opposed the doctrine of the state veto, and became a leader in the Union party, standing almost alone among the men of wealth, position, and reputation in the state. On the defeat of his pai'ty he lost his popularity, and suffered nnieii opprobrium, al- though he remained without a rival at tiie bur. He was subsequently district attorney for a short time, which .subject- ed him to further odium, and was later in the state legisla- tiu'e. The secession of South Carolina in 1860 found him too advanced in years to take an active part in political controver- sies, but he strongly opposed disunion, and in a letter to Reverdy Johnson, dated 16 April. 1861, in which he deplored the action of his state, he said: " What is to be the end of all this seems to me inscrutable. But even if the Gulf states and South Carolina do fliike oil forever, I shall never cease to witness with joy whatever increases the prosperity and honor of the United States." The great work of his life was the codifica- tion of the laws of South Carolina, wiiich had been confided to him by the legislature, notwithstanding his well-known political principles. During the first year of the civil war he devoted himself al- most exclusively to the completion of tins work (Charleston, 1862). He was president of the South Carolina historical society, and published a " Semi- centennial Oration," delivered at the College of South Carolina (Columbia, 1855), and "An Ad- dress before the South Carolina Historical Soci- ety " (Charleston, 1858). See his " Biography," by William J. Grayson (1866), and also a memorial vol- ume including the proceedings of the Charleston bar (1867). — His daughter, Caroline, artist, b. in Charleston, S. C, 24 May, 1819, was educated in her native city, and early developed artistic tastes. She married William A. Carson, of St. John's par- ish, S. C, in 1840. She was attached to the na- tional cause, and in 1860 settled in New York city. She has recently lived in Rome, Italy, wiiere she occasionally paints portraits. That of her lather is among the best known of her works.

PETION, Alexander (pay-se-ong), president of Hayti, b. in Port an Prince, 2 April, 1770; d. there, 29 March, 1818. He was the son of a colonist named Sabes and a nuilatto woman. His father was wealthy and gave him a good education. Me rose to the rank of adjutant-general during the civil war in the island, and after the evacuation of Santo Domin- go by the English in 1798 hesu[)ported (Jen. Kigaud in his opposition toToussaint i'Ouverture. and won reputation by his defence of Jacinel. Wlien Kigaud was forced to quit the island in 1800. Petion accom- panied him to France, but he returned with Gen. Leclere in 1802, witii the rank of colonel. His prudent counsels were disregarded by Leclere. and at last he abandoned the Frencii ranks in October, 1802, with such of Ills compatriots as were alile to escape, and took service under Henry Christopiie, and later uiuler Dessaliiies. After the nuirder of the latter in 1806, at which time Petion was com- mander of Port au Prince, the hostility of Presi- dent Christophe to the mulattoes excited fears in the south and west, and Petion was chosen presi- dent of that part of the island, 10 March, 1807.