Diary includes an autobiography of Peterson, daily journal entries, newspaper clippings, Church ordinance information, and an obituary of his father, James M. Peterson (1850-1899). Dated 1879-1932.

Scrapbook of newspaper clippings about James M. Peterson, his family, and church news from 1935 to 1937. Includes a letter of consolation to Mrs. Peterson from President Grant upon the death of her husband in August 1939. Also includes clippings about Peterson's civic aspirations, his ancestry, his twenty-five-year wedding anniversary, and correspondence from Church presidency and other mission memorabilia, as well as newspaper clippings in Norwegian.