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James M. Peterson diary

 Collection — Reel: 000 824
Identifier: MSS FM 2

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a microfilm copy of a handwritten diary of 493 pages and several newspaper obituaries of Peterson's family. Events of Peterson's life are recounted from 1850 to 1866, after which a daily record was kept until 1899. Included are incidents from Sevier County history including politics, the Black Hawk war, census records for 1895, and personal business dealings. Peterson also writes about his family, national events, and local weather and temperatures.

Dates

  • 1866-1928

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from James M. (James Morten) Peterson diary must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

James M. Peterson (1850-1899) was an Mormon immigrant from Denmark who moved to Utah in the 1860's, and became a banker and politician.

James Morten Peterson was born on April 15, 1850, in Donsted, Idskow, Hjorring, Denmark, to Neils M. Peterson and Mette Kristine Peterson. He was baptized into the Mormon church on December 5, 1860. He and his family moved to the United States in 1862, and joined a Mormon company traveling to Salt Lake City, and they ended up in Ephraim, Utah. Peterson married his first wife Laura Hansine Hansen on July 13, 1874, in Salt Lake City, Utah and they had 3 children together. He married his second wife Sarah Johnson on April 15, 1896, in Richfield, Utah, and they had one child. He became a banker in Richfield and started the James M. Peterson Bank, as well as serving as mayor of Richfield.

James M. Peterson died on April 9, 1899, in Richfield, Utah.

Extent

1 microfilm reel (35 mm)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Microfilmed in 1977.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Filmed; 1977.

Appraisal

Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts collection development policy 1.V, November 2013.)

Existence and Location of Originals

Original copy of diary is located in James M. Peterson diary MSS 3870.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital version of materials available on M-disc in MSS 3870. Photocopy of microfilm located in MSS SC 2016.

Processing Information

Processed; Lucy Brimhall; 2013.

Title
Register of James M. Peterson diary
Status
Completed
Author
Lucy Brimhall
Date
2013 April 10
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States