Swenson, Peter (1891?-1918)

SWENSON, BRETTELAND

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 11/25/2014 at 16:19:09

Daily Freeman Journal, December 17, 1918, p.3

Randall Boy is Missing
Peter Swenson is Reported Missing in Action During Last Fighting of War.
With 86th Division
Went With a Contingent of Selectmen from Minnesota.

Today’s casualty list given out in Washington carried the name of Peter Swenson of Randall, who is reported to be missing in action. Private Swenson was a member of the 86th division, made up largely of Minnesota men. He was working near Mankato and left that city last June with a contingent of selectmen.
Private Swenson’s parents are Mr. And Mrs. Swen S. Bretteland, who live two miles west and three quarters of a mile south of Randall. Bretteland is the original Norwegian name retained by the parents, while the son took the name of Swenson, a common custom among the people of Norway.
Private Swenson was 27 years old and unmarried. He was taken prisoner presumably during the closing week or so of the war, probably in the sector of Verdan. He was sent across with a replacement division.