Ludvig (C. L) Peterson was born in Dalsland, Sweden, April 14, 1865 to parents who were farmers by trade. Many Swedes made their way to America, the country that promised good land for an economic success. Ludvig came with his grandparents in 1872 to Levis, Wisconsin. There he lived with his grandparents in a log cabin, which was made out of logs cleared off their land. He lived there several years. By this time his Mother, brothers and sisters had arrived in America. His father having arrived ten years earlier had planned to settle here, but less than a year after he arrived he died. In a few years Ludvig as he was called and his family moved to Colorado. Ludvig was employed in an iron-smelting factory. Again they moved back to Levis, Wisconsin in a few years.
Ludvig stayed there for several years. It was at this time that he changed his name to Peterson. There were so many Persons Families in the community. He had an uncle by the name of Ludvig, so the change was made to eliminate the confusion. Ludvig and a cousin decided to go to North Dakota to see what the land was like there. In 1895 they reached Hannaford where they found land and decided to settle. Ludvig settled in Bartley Township and Sivert in Mabel Township.
The first few years of farming in North Dakota took a lot of hard work and patience. The farmers did not have much power in those days. Carl Berg, who owned a farm next to his helped him as his power consisted of two oxen, one horse and a breaking plow. Needless-to-say not much work was accomplished in a day. Ludvig in his spare time built a basic house to live in on his own land. Later this house was moved to Dover Township. A second story was added and also a large kitchen. This house remained for the rest of the family to be raised in. Grandson Leslie and his family lived there from 1944 until 1962 when they moved to the A. L. Peterson home.
Ludvig married Berthilda Sletten April 7, 1897. Their family consisted of Aloander, (A. L. ), Hazel (Mrs. Peter Falstad), now of Santa Anna, California, Mildred (Mrs. Laverne Richardson), deceased, and Thelma (Mrs. Hal Thorogood), also now of Santa Anna.
Aloander or A. L. as he is better known, was born June 14, 1898 and received his education in Bartley School and Concordia College. As he grew up he was in partnership in farming with his father.
Stories of the horse and buggy days, also sleigh days have been especially interesting for the grandchildren. Days of the severe snowstorms have left some memories of hardships. One storm especially was recalled, as the Peterson family, among others, were at a Christmas program at the schoolhouse. In those days weather forecasting ahead of time was not heard of and the families stayed at the schoolhouse until 10 AM the next day. Luckily food was always brought along to such gatherings so there was plenty to eat.
School was held only six months out of the year. In the summer A. L. stayed with his uncle and aunt, Pastor and Mrs. P. A. Thoreson, to attend parochial school for a month. In 1920 Al moved to Fargo with his parents and it was here that he met Dena Wick of Underwood, Minnesota On May 22, 1922 they were married at Moorhead, Minnesota by his uncle, Pastor Thoreson. Dena passed away June 18, 1961.
Leslie Peterson, son of A. L. and Dena, was an only child with the exception of raising a foster son, Myron Richardson, son of Mildred Peterson Richardson, who died when Myron was born. Myron made his home with them until he reached his junior year of high school when he went to Devils Lake and made his home with his aunt Hazel Falstad to finish high school. He now lives in Canoga Park, California with his wife and three children.
A move was made back to the farm in 1924 in Dover Township, living on several farms in the area before purchasing the present farm in Dover. In partnership with his Dad, Leslie continued to expand the farm acres by purchasing the former Carl Berg farm in 1946. With more land, new and larger machinery, farming became an easier task and with the prosperous years has been quite a contrast to the beginning of the Peterson farm in 1895.
Leslie married Sylvia Haugen March 4, 1944 at Eidfjord Church. Their daughters are:
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 229