1870
Nels Peterson came to Illinois in 1864 from Sweden. Upon hearing about free land, he moved to Nebraska in 1870. His first home was a dugout on School Creek. He later homesteaded on a 150 acre farm located in section 25 of Emerson Township in Harlan County, known as the Nels Peterson farm. In 1881 Nels married Carrie. They had six children, Theodore, LaVinna, Joel, Edward, Lillian, and Myrtle.
1912
Joel Peterson farmed with his father, Nels. Joel married Daisy Olson in 1912. They had two children, Marvin and Velma.
1936
Marvin married Hazel Pearson in 1936. They had four children, LaDonna, Gary, Marlys and Rodney. Marvin and Hazel purchased the estate in 1937.
1959
Gary chose to join his father in the farming operation.
1967
Gary married Susanne McInturf in 1967. They had three children, Kyle, Kevin and Kenton.
1973
The farm incorporated becoming Peterson Livestock Inc. The operation consisted of raising cattle, hogs, corn, soybeans and alfalfa.
1985
We received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award sponsored by Ak-Sar-Ben.
1992
Marvin and Hazel were honored as the Harlan County Great Nebraska Family.
1998
Gary’s son, Kevin, joined the corporation to farm with his dad.
2009
Kevin married Sarah Esslinger in 2009 and have four children, Mavrik, Karson, Korie, and Maguire. Gary’s son Kevin and his family live on the family farm making the sixth generation to reside on the farm.