Mr. Peter J. Anderson came to America from Sweden in 1868 at the age of one year. The family settled on a farm near Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he grew to manhood. In 1896 he married Ellen Svensen, of Larchwood, Iowa, who with her parents had also come from Sweden.
The young couple came to North Dakota in 1898 and homesteaded on land North of Washburn, McLean County. Here three of their children were born. They attended the usual one-room country school in the area.
In 1912 the family moved to Valley City and purchased the Marsh Mill farm south of town and a home on 4th Ave. and Elizabeth Street. Here they resided until their deaths in 1955 and 1945. The farm is presently the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milo Olstad. Mr. arid Mrs. Anderson were members of the Nebo Lutheran Church of Valley City.
For many years Mr. Anderson operated a feed mill in the old livery stable section of W. Front St. This business was sold to the late Walter Wilkins of Valley City. About a year later he purchased the City Market, a combination meat market and grocery store on East Main St. which he operated for a few years or until his health began to fail.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had four sons, all of whom graduated from the old Richie Grade School and the Valley City High School.
Freeman A. - 253 College Ave. Valley City. Married Blanche Henderson of White Rock, South Dakota in 1923. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Valley City until retirement. He passed away in 1974.
Dr. Theodore M. - Northwestern University class of 1927. Married Siri Stoles of Madison, Wisconsin, and was a dentist in Madison until retirement. Presently resides at Sister Bay, Wisconsin.
Lloyd E. - Married Maxine Tilton of Maquoketa, Iowa. Manager of the Gamble Store in Maquoketa until his death in 1961.
Dr. Chester V. - University of Minnesota class of 1952. Captain in the Dental Corps, World War Two. Married Lois Birt of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Resides in Edina, Minnesota and is a Dentist in Minneapolis.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 18