Peter M. Hanson and wife, Matilda (Bofrnd) came to Nome, Barnes County, North Dakota, in 1903 from Traverse County, Minnesota, where they farmed. Their household goods came in a Northern Pacific box car and the family came by train early in that year. Their children, Walter L., Hilda, Ida, Edna, Ella and Myrtle (born in June after their arrival) were reared and went to the eight grades of grammar school. A new school was built with high school so Ella and Myrtle were graduates. The rest of the children received their education at the Valley City Normal School, also in Fargo and Washington, D.C.

Peter Hanson first worked in a lumber yard and later was in partnership with Henry Wilberg and Ozman Suby in the Implement and hardware business in Nome. In 1904 the heavy snow and drifts were disastrous. The snowplow could not clear the branch line from Casselton to Marion so there was no train for six weeks and coal and food supplies were very scarce; it was a happy day when the tracks were cleared. Another disaster was the big fire, when many business places were burned up, but all were rebuilt and Nome was a prosperous community again. Most families owned a cow for their milk supply and the children took turns leading the cow to and from the pasture. The Hansons owned a team of black horses and a family surrey, they also owned a high wheeler gas buggy, and finally had an automobile.

Peter and Matilda Hanson moved to Valley City in 1926 and lived there until their demise in 1935 and 1933, respectively. Their children all married and there are eleven grandchildren.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 95