Anton and Emma Peterson

Born Anton Teodor Jansson 13 October 1877, the youngest child of Jan Petter Pettersson(John Peterson) and Sofia Johansdotter in Styvatorp, Berga Parish, Skaraborg District, Sweden. Emigrated to the USA with his parents in the spring of 1885. The family spent a year in New York before moving on to Minnesota. Anton bought 40 acres of land from his father in April 1901 for the sum of $200. to start a farm. He added 80 acres in June 1903 by purchase from Olof Johnson for the princely sum of $1000. He paid $50. on purchase and contracted to pay the remainder in installments of $200. per year.

Emma Erickson was born in Spruce Township, Marshall County, Minnesota on 21 November 1886. I have so far been unable to find her parents. She married Anton 19 May 1907. They are a very handsome couple as you can see by the photo. My mother said that Anton was the only curly-headed Swede she had ever seen. Anton increased his acreage by purchasing 40 acres from James Taylor in Jan 1908 for $250. Five children were born at the farm near Holt MN. Myrtle in 1908. Twins Arvid and Mabel in 1911. Death took Mable in only two weeks. Twins George and William in 1913, with George only surviving for three months.

Hover the cursor over the thumbnails to bring up a larger image.

Anton sold the Holt farm in November 1914 and moved the family to Thief River Falls in Pennington County MN. The 1920 census shows them living at #15 Pine Street although his occupation is listed as a farmer.

to be continued