PETERSON, ALBERT L.

PETERSON, MELL, NORTON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 10/15/2003 at 15:39:59

Biography reproduced from page 633 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Albert L. Peterson, an accomplished photographer, who since 1892 has been conducting an art gallery in Algona, was born in Ljung, Sweden, in 1867. His parents, Henry P. and Marie (Mell) Peterson, emigrated with their family to the United States in 1874. The father settled at Fairfield, Iowa, and took up railroad work, in which occupation he is still engaged. He and his wife are residents of Fairfield.

Albert L. Peterson was reared in Fairfield, attending both the common and high schools. At the age of about twenty years he began to learn photography in Perry, Iowa, where he remained one year. Actuated by the desire to become more skilled in this art, he went to Des Moines, where for four years he was actively engaged with a prominent photographer. At the end of five years’ experience in his chosen line of work, he settled in Algona, establishing a photograph business, which he has successfully conducted since that time. Being a public-spirited citizen and interested in those things which make for the advancement of the town and community, he was elected and served for four years as a member of the Algona city council, his period of service being from 1906 to 1910.

Mr. Peterson was married in 1892 to Miss Viva B. Norton, of Livermore, Iowa, a daughter of G. H. Norton, a lumber merchant of that place, who settled there in 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson to children have been born, Ralph H., in November, 1893, and Mell A., in September, 1908.

Mr. Peterson’s fraternal relations include membership in various branches of the Masonic order. He is a member of Prudence Lodge, No. 205, A. F. & A. M., of which his served for two terms as master. He is also a Scottish Rite Mason, being affiliated with the coordinate bodies at Des Moines, Iowa, and belongs to Za-Ga-Zig Temple, order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also at Des Moines, Iowa. He is a member of the Congregational church and is a liberal contributor toward its support. Mr. Peterson is well known and popular in business and social circles in Algona, where for twenty years he has been prominently identified with its various interests. He has contributed largely to the upbuilding of the city and although his business is always given first place in his attention, he finds time to take an active part in civic and social matters in which Algona is concerned. His liberal, genial nature has made him not only a prominent figure in Algona, but has won for him a host of warm friends.