James Christian Peterson
1858-1929
Mormonism was brought to the Nils Persson family in Soder Rorum, Sweden in about 1856 by the Mormon missionaries. Grandpa Persson first learned of this new religion but it was Grandma Persson, Maria Livisa Danielsson, Persson, who first accepted it and was baptized in 1858. The Persson home was a haven to the missionaries as Grandma and Grandpa were very hospitable and welcomed the missionaries.
The Persson children were all born in Soder Rorum with the exception of the eldest son, Olof, who was born in Farlov, Sweden. Austusta Persson the baby of the family, was born on February 29, 1864. She often told us of the missionaries coming to their home and how brother Erastus Snow would put his arm around her and put her on his knee, something a child would remember.
In 1863, the eldest son, Olof, went to Denmark and there was associated with the Mormon converts. Later, the whole Persson family moved to Denmark as the families of brother Nils Persson and Maria Lovisa Danilesson Persson were embittered over their joining this new religion. At the time Grandma Person was a soloist in the Swedish Luteran Church.
James Christian Peterson was born in Mygind, Denmark, January 26, 1858. He became acquainted with the Mormons and when 17 years of age was baptized on October 10, 1875. His parents did not join the Church at this time. He met Matilda Persson while in Denmark at the Mormon activities.
The Persson family immigrated to American and traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah from 1874 to 1876. James Christian Peterson and his mother emigrated in 1877. They came to Salt Lake City. James’ mother, Anne, was baptized February 2, 1886, in Utah.
In Denmark James learned the trade of fine shoe making and repairing of shoes. When young people learned a trade in the old country they were skilled. After arriving in Salt Lake City, he secured employment with ZCMI and Solomon Bros. Later, after his marriage to Matilda Persson in 1879 in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, and after their first three children were born, they oved to Ephraim, Utah. There James opened a mercantile store.
Matilda and James Christian Peterson were an outstanding couple in church work and talents. Six of their eight children were born in Utah, John Henry and Florence Viola being born in Colonia Juarez.
Augusta Persson and James Christian Peterson were married in the Manti Temple on August 28, 1890. They, with several other couples, went to Colonia Juarez, Mexico, to establish their homes. Matilda Peterson and family were living in Ephraim at this time. James came for them in 1891 and they moved to Colonia Juarez with him.
James commenced his trade of shoe making and repairing of shoes when he arrived in Colonia Juarez. He was an expert in this trade and taught some of the local men the shoe making business. Later, after establishing himself and having built separate homes for his two families, he opened up a mercantile store on the main street in Colonia Juarez.
James was interested in getting ahead financially. He acquired timberland in Chuhuichupa. He was prospector by nature and he located several mining claims. He interested some people from England in the mines. They came and looked over the property. Due to the inaccessible roads and location of the mines, the English people declined the process of extracting the ore and cost of shipment to the States would be exorbitant. So the deal was not closed.
Grandma Persson or Peterson lived with the two families until her death in 1904. Nils Persson died in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 28, 1882. He was only in America six years. Grandpa and Grandma Persson were a cultured, refined and talented couple and loved their children and religion dearly. In Colonia Juarez, Matilda Peterson acted as midwife and brought many of the babies in Colonia Juarez into this world. Augusta Peterson, 10 years younger than her sister Matilda, had her own dressmaking shop in Salt Lake City before her marriage. She often spoke of the women in Colonia Juarez coming to her with material for a dress to be cut out. She said she nearly always wound up making the dress for them. Augusta was very artistic. Her home was always most attractive; she just had that touch. Both Matilda and Augusta were very good cooks.
James was called on a mission to Denmark. Later he was made Branch President. Being able to speak the language and knowing the country I am sure he converted many to the Gospel. He was a Christian gentleman. He had a very good disposition, loved to read, and spoke several languages fluently. Matilda and Augusta Peterson were both outstanding and had charming personalities and good dispositions.
Leah, a daughter of Augusta and James Christian Peterson, died in Colonia Juarez, July 4, 1906. Matilda and her family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1907, and Augusta and family followed the next year. John Henry and Florence Viola and all of Augusta’s children were of school age. The
James sold some of his holdings, including the homes, but the timberland and mines were never sold. He never was paid in full for the homes, because of the problems caused by the Mexican Revolution.
Some of the Peterson children received university educations. Nearly all the grandchildren have graduated from college and the great-grandchildren are headed that way. They possess many talents, hold good positions, are well respected in the communities in which they live and most are active in Church.
Hilma Peterson, daughter
Stalwarts South of the Border, Nelle Spilsbury Hatch page 326