PETERSON, NIC. (NICHOLAS) — Born January 26, 1851, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. At the age of sixteen, he came to New York City, where he worked for a year and a half in a grocery store.

He then traveled by way of St. Louis—where he remained two months—to New Orleans, engaging in the grocery business there for about a year. Around 1869, he removed to Chicago, where he was employed in the grocery trade and other occupations until 1875, when he moved to Lincoln, Illinois.

In 1878, he returned to Europe and visited his former home in Germany. Upon returning to the United States in the fall of that year, he came to Mankato. There he operated a cigar factory for three years before establishing his business in bottling soda and mineral waters, which became his principal enterprise.

Mr. Peterson was one of the organizers of the Standard Brewing Company and held interests in several other business ventures.

In 1891, he was elected alderman of Mankato, serving for eight years. In 1901, he was elected mayor, holding that office until 1903.

Mr. Peterson was known as an enterprising and successful businessman and was a prominent member of several fraternal organizations.

He was married September 24, 1874, to Marie Bode of Chicago, Illinois.