My mother, Julia Mathilda Danielson, was born Feb. 6, 1874 in Jay Township near Sherburn (Minnesota). She moved with her family, when they left because of the grasshopper invasion, in a covered wagon back to the Albert Lea community. She has spent most of her life in and near Sherburn.

Peter A. Peterson and Julia Danielson were married Oct. 28, 1893 at her home in Jay Township. There were four children:

• Roy A. Peterson born Nov. 18, 1894
• Myrtle Meinhard born Feb. 14, 1897
• Lillian Peterson born Oct. 10, 1899
• Vernon Peterson born Sept. 15, 1907
• Six grandchildren
• Five great-grandchildren

My father's father John Peterson was born April 11, 1840, died Oct. 1, 1907.

My father's mother, Sophie Peterson was born Dec. 30 1834, died July 15, 1919.

Both came from Norway.

Grandfather Isaac Danielson (my mother's father) (Rodney's great-great-grandfather) was born in Jaykopings, Sweden on May 1, 1836. He was a shoemaker. His father's name was Hans Jacobson. Grandpa Danielson came to America about 1868. He had a brother who came in 1866. They both came to Rockford, Illinois and worked for the same man. Grandpa's army name was Felt or Feldt. Since the brothers had different names and their employer had no sons of his own, he gave them his name of Danielson.

Grandpa met a man by the name of Perry Johnson at Rockford and they came to Albert Lea, Minnesota together. They both settled in this community (Sherburn) later. It was at Albert Lea that he met Caroline Martha Orstad and they were married about 1872. They moved to Sherburn and homesteaded a farm in Jay Township, Martin County. Their first child (my mother) was born in Jay Township on Feb. 6, 1874. They were forced to leave their farm twice because of grasshopper invasions. Isaac Danielson died Jan. 17, 1916.

Caroline Martha Orstad (my mother's mother) was born Feb. 19, 1847 in Oslo, Norway. She had three brothers. Her father was a carpenter. The whole family came to America when she was a young woman and bought a farm of 27 acres east of Albert Lea and settled there. She worked as a hired girl in homes until she was married. She died July 30, 1930.

John P. Peterson was born April 11, 1840 at Smaalenene, Norway. Martha Sophie Kirkengen, his wife, was born Dec. 30, 1834 at Skibtvedt, Bogin, Norway. They were married April 2, 1864 and lived in Norway, where Mr. Peterson farmed a small acreage, and also did some fishing.

Then in the spring of 1880 Mr. & Mrs. Peterson, together with their seven children set out for the US. The journey took seven weeks. Much of the way was very stormy. Their first year in Jackson, they all lived with Grandpa Peterson's sister - Mrs. Krogstad and family on their farm in Enterprise Township, Jackson County. They then bought a small acreage of what is now the city of Jackson, where they built a one room home. Mr. Peterson went to work for the Chicago - Milwaukee Railroad as section foreman, and where he worked until his death October 1st, 1907. He was an honorable and straightforward Christian gentleman, one that helped his town. He helped materially in the building up of east Jackson. The Peterson's lived in this one room home until they were able a few months later to build a four room home. They also boarded and roomed a couple of railroad men for some time.

They were charter members of the Lutheran Church, but for several years after their arrival here, services were held at the few homes scattered around the country. The children had long miles to walk to get their instructions in the Catechism and often had to stay overnight. They did attend grade school and a few did start High School. The first school was held in the second floor room of the town hall.

The children (of John and Sophie) are:

Annette - born Aug. 1st, 1864

Peter Anton - born Oct. 4, 1866

Julius - born Nov. 16, 1868

Karoline - born May 22, 1871

Twin boys Magnus & Johannes - born Oct. 29, 1874

Ana Pauline - born Aug. 31, 1876, died April 6, 1886.

Annette was married to Mr. Rogness and mothered five children, but died shortly after the last baby's birth. The children were Oscar, Joseph, Clark, Mabel and Ruth. Only Ruth is now living (1958 - ed.)

Peter Anton worked for the C&M Railroad as section foreman until his retirement. He lived until March 1949. He was married to Julia Danielson and the parents of four children; Roy, Myrtle, Lillian and Vernon. P.A. worked on the railroad out of Jackson until 1898, when he and his family moved to Sherburn, Minnesota where he owned a fine home and where he lived until his death. He and his family were all members of the Congregational Church there, a place he supported generously. His widow and four children are all living (1958 - ed.).

Julius also worked for some years on the railroad. Later he and his twin brother Charlie (Magnus) operated a grocery store at Lakefield. (Actually, Magnus and Johannes were the twins. Myrtle seems to have confused the names here, and it will take more research to clear up this particular point. Ed.) Julius passed away in May 1898. Charlie, as he was later called, then opened a restaurant at Jackson until his death in July 1911. Julius was married to Lena Houge and they had one son, Lloyd. Charlie was married to Minnie Schwager and there were two children - Ronald (deceased) and Bonita.

Karoline was married to Carl O. Hoaas and they were the parents of one daughter, Weva. Karoline passed away when Weva was but four years old.

Johannes or John as he was known to his fellow men, was a contractor and builder by trade, and built many a home and business place in Jackson. He worked at his trade until the fall of 1946, and passed away Feb. 11, 1947. He was married to Simmiria Olson and they were the parents of four children, all living (in 1958 again - ed.). They are Bretta, James, Joel and Melvin.

Ana Pauline was a frail child and did not live long after they came to this country. She died in 1886.

The place of Smaalenene, Norway, where the Peterson's lived was about seven Norwegian miles from Oslo - northwest - or about 30 miles as we count miles. There Grandma Peterson often mentioned that she would sit out on the porch at midnight, darning and mending by the light of the midnight sun. There were very few luxuries and times were hard, but they had the will and a desire to do for their family, so they came to America, where going was plenty hard, too. The one room house, where the nine lived (seven children and the parents) was small, about 12 x 16. Here they cooked, ate, lived and slept using the bunk bed method of sleeping.

Grandma Peterson died July 1917.

John Peterson Jr. often told of their evening meals in Norway, which consisted mostly of mush of some kind p mostly make of milk - served with milk. The big bowl of mush was placed in the center of the table, then each member leaned over, dipped in for a spoonful of mush - dipped that in their cup of milk and so until they were filled. Mush and milk and potatoes were their main diet dishes. There was bread and butter, a little sugar and syrup. Then of course the fish they caught - and some meat, mostly pork it seems. Then they had some homemade soups with dumplings, and lefse. They had their own cows so had milk for all. I was told a couple of years ago that their home in Smaalenene is still standing. Their furniture was all home handmade, and made to last. All good furniture made so well no nails were used. I have my grandmother's spinning wheel, all put together and still in perfect condition - but contains no nails - that she brought with her from her home in Norway .

People in Norway were very friendly. They had sweets - as cookies, bakkels and extras for their Christmas Eve supper.