History 21 The Podcast - 3.04 Lester Peterson
Lester Peterson was born in 1908 on the farm his great-grandparents homesteaded in Ham Lake. In 1987, he shared his memories and favorite stories growing up, including attending school in Constance, the six Peterson “Tall Men” brothers who performed at the Palace Theater, and the Constance Post Office robbery.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Lester Peterson at his 90th birthday celebration Ham Lake, 1998.
Lester Peterson
March 9, 1908 - May 4, 1999
Buried at Constance Evangelical Free Church Cemetery
“My first memories of Grandpa Peterson centered around the family and the farm… Lester, outfitted in the traditional tin hat and long sleeves, giving instructions to everyone, bouncing on the seat of one of his tractors, leading the procession to the field. More than likely if it wasn’t July, he still had the long johns on too… [On bailing hay] I kept looking at the people around me, the work, the effort, the love of the fields, and noticed that this endeavor was an extension of Lester. Working the land, hard for the body, great for the soul. It was a challenge to keep up to a guy who at the time was in his 70s. Sometimes you had to make a noise by banging on the bailer or screaming at the top of your lungs to get his attention, (His hearing wasn’t real good and turning around became difficult later.) “Slow down. Put it in second gear!” we would cry…
Grandpa was a walking historical reference for the Ham Lake and the Anoka area. At every family gathering there were the stories and the discussions; a rich oral history of the family and the area. Some people say they farm, some claim to have it in their blood. With Lester farming was living.”
Excerpt of John Lorenzen’s eulogy to Lester at his funeral, 1999.
Lester Peterson taken in 1952 on the farm in Ham Lake.
The Constance Church, cemetery, school house for district 41, and store on Constance Blvd., 1913. Far left is part of the church and graveyard. The center building is the 2-room schoolhouse, a small room was added on in 1910. The Peterson children, Florence, Pearl, Chester, Lester, and Doris, all went to this school. Lester's children, Willis, Beverly, and Renee, also attended school here. In the foreground is Constance Store, built 1913, owned and operated by Abel Stromgren (likely the man in the photo). The Post Office was located in the back of the store. The big tree in front of the store is where they tied their team of horses.
Peter and Lilly Peterson with their children Pearl, Edyth, and Florence with babies Lester and Chester. Dated 1908.
Ole Peterson with sons Jonas [Lester Peterson’s father], Peter, Charles, Edward and August.
Peterson brothers’ contract with the Palace Museum, April 6, 1898.
Anoka Herald Newspaper
April 15, 1898
“Ham Lake Locals
The Peterson brothers are at the Palace museum this week. They are getting along finely and having a good time. Boys go down and shake hands with them when they are on the stage.”
In the Vault
Full Oral History
Coming soon: discussion with ACHS Director Rebecca. In the full recording Lester shares a story his uncle related to him about an early Anoka County trapper murdering two indigenous people.
Anoka County Library Minute
Further Reading:
The Old Truck by Jarrett Pumphrey (READ ALONG E PUM)
This book/audio combo is from the library’s new collection of read along books – books that have the audio built right in! This simple story with bright illustrations helps young readers to see that with a little determination and imagination, we can find the value in things others may discard or forget about, like an old farm truck, for example.
Farmhouse Entertaining Cookbook by Taste of Home Books (641.5973 FAR)
Separated into sections for each season, this book offers recipes for every kind of farmhouse occasion. From hearty breakfasts to Sunday dinners, each recipe has a taste of that old farmhouse cooking because they’re supplied by real farm-kitchen cooks.
Daffodil Hill: uprooting my life, buying a farm, and learning to bloom by Jake Keiser (921 KEI)
Author Jake Keiser retells the story of how she gave up her ritzy, city life for that of a farmer. She bought a farm in Mississippi after recurring bouts of anxiety left her craving the simpler (but often not easy) life of a farmer.
In this historical fiction book, based on real-life writings left behind, young readers can see what it was like for a young girl living on a Minnesota farm in the late 1800s. There are many stories within its pages about one-room schoolhouses, barn chores, church gatherings, and more.
On the Farm by Jill McDonald (EASY BOARD BOOK)
The youngest of learners can get to know the way farms work with this board book. The brightly illustrated pages with easy words teach about the plants, animals, farmers, and more.
Pastoral Song: a farmer’s journey by James Rebanks (921 REB)
In this memoir, the author recounts how he restored his family’s old farm land in the tradition of “old” farming practices. He highlights the struggles of the modern farmer, while also advocating for a closer relationship to land like that of generations gone by.
Tractor by Amelia Hepworth (EASY BOARD BOOK)
In this board book for the youngest of learners, learn about the parts that come together to make a tractor. Pages are layered die-cuts and children will enjoy finding the mouse hidden on every spread of the book.
The Farmer and the Chef: farm fresh Minnesota recipes and stories by Claudine Arndt (641.59776 FAR)
Published in part by the Minnesota Farmers Union, this cookbook goes beyond the typical farmhouse recipe book to also include photographs and stories from real Minnesota farmers.
Pasture Bedtime by Sigmund Brouwer (EJ FICTION BRO)
Beginning readers will enjoy this first book in the Charlie’s Rules series if they like books about animals, humor, and friendship. Charlie is the quiet and organized type, which doesn’t exactly work well with his mother’s veterinary farm, though not for lack of trying. As problems arise, though, he discovers that he can learn from the new bookkeeper’s daughter’s more outgoing and free-spirited nature.
Farm Girl: a Wisconsin memoir by Buena Coburn Carlson (921 CAR)
This memoir is written about the author’s time growing up on a Wisconsin farm during the Great Depression. She delicately highlights the juxtaposition of growing up in times of scarcity, while still enjoying the beauty and abundance around her, from the generous sense of community to the bounty of beauty the landscape provides.
The Growing Season: how I built a new life – and saved an American Farm by Sarah Frey (921 FRE)
For readers who liked Tara Westover’s Educated, Frey’s book offers a similar angle of pulling herself out from rural poverty while also remaining true to her roots. As the youngest of her parents’ combined 21 children, Frey didn’t grow up with much. But she managed to find the perseverance to take over the family farm before she was even an adult, and turned the business into a thriving one.