Fonds - Peterson Family fonds

Ed Peterson and his brother Ivor immigrated to the United States from Sweden in 1908, changing their surname from Persson to Peterson. Their search for work led them and friends Eric Wessman (previously Anderson) and Anton Swanburg, to the Shuswap area in 1911 where they cleared land and cut firewood. Ed Peterson had been a river driver back in Sweden, but he adapted well to the frontier life in his new home.

Eric Wessman's sister Vilhemina, 22 at the time, joined them in 1912 as their cook. More than her cooking seems to have impressed Ed, as they were married on July 4, 1914 at the Presbyterian Manse in Revelstoke. Ed and Mina raised eight children, Hubert, Elmer, Hjalmar, Floyd, Margaret, Violet, Alf, and Ingrid. The family was close, forming a business, then several businesses, some of which continue in an altered form to this day.

At one time or another, the Petersons built roads, snow-plowed, excavated foundations, built dams and water lines, logged, did custom orchard-work, were John Deere dealers, mechanics, and fruit growers. All the Peterson children followed their parents example and worked very hard. Not only active in business, the Petersons also played major roles in community organizations, including the Okanagan Historical Society, the Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association, the Salmar Community Association, Mainline Co-operative, the Orchard Museum in Kelowna, the Shuswap Naturalists, the Salmon Arm Farmers' Exchange, Technocracy, the Joint Water Board, the Photography Club, Old Time Dance Club, and various BC Tree Fruit organizations.