Ludvig was born in Dalsland, Sweden on April 14, 1865, to Aloander and Katrina Person who were farmers in the Dalsland area. When many Swedes made their way to America, the country that promised freedom, land and an easier life, Aloander decided to go and find a new beginning for his family, too. He left his young family in Sweden and came to America. He worked at Levis, Wisconsin, for less than a year, contracted typhoid fever and died.
In 1872, at the age of seven, Ludvig came to Levis with his grandparents. He lived with them in a log cabin made from trees cleared from their land. For several years they farmed there. During these years, Ludvig's mother, his brother and sisters arrived in America. Later Ludvig and his family moved to Pueblo, Colorado. While in Colorado, Ludvig was employed at a copper smelter. A few years later, the family moved back to Levis. It was now that Ludvig changed his name from Person to Peterson. With so many Persons in the Levis community and an uncle with the same name, there was a great deal of confusion so the name change was made.
In 1895, Ludvig and a cousin, Sivirt Peterson decided to go to North Dakota to see firsthand the farming opportunities they had heard about. They reached Hannaford, found land available and decided to stay. Ludvig settled in Bartley Township; Sivirt found land in Mable Township near Sutton.
The first years of farming in North Dakota took much hard work and patience.
Ludvig did not have any draft animals to begin his farming endeavor. However, Ludvig's neighbor, Carl Berg, owned two oxen, one horse and a breaking plow. Not much work could be accomplished in one day compared to today's powerful machine capabilities. Ludvig and Carl Berg helped each other in the difficult task of beginning new farmsteads. Ludvig borrowed Carl's animal power and in return Ludvig used his skill in carpentry to do the necessary building on the Berg place. In his spare time, Ludvig built himself a basic home on his own land. Later this house was moved from Bartley to Dover Township. When the move was made a second floor and another kitchen was added. This home was the setting for many years of memories in the Peterson family.
Ludvig's grandson, Leslie and his family, lived in this house until 1962, when they moved to make their home with Al. This original farm still remains in the Peterson family with Leslie as owner.
Ludvig married Berthilda Sletten who was from Kenyon, Minnesota. She was the sister of Eidfjord pastor's wife, Mrs. P. A. Thoreson.
Ludvig and Berthilda had four children: Aloander (A.L.), deceased; Hazel (Mrs. Peter Falstad), deceased; Mildred (Mrs. Laverne Richardson), deceased; and Thelma (Mrs. Hal Thoroughgood).
Peter and Hazel Falstad lived in the Hannaford area for a while. Hazel taught school in the country and Peter was well known in the area for his interest in skiing. They moved to Devils Lake and later retired to Santa Ana, California. Thelma still makes her home at Santa Ana, California.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 222