Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 262. H. WILLIAM PETERSEN Coming to the new world with no capital save youth, energy, ambition and intelligence, H. William Petersen has "made good" and is known throughout the Pacific northwest, owing to his operations in the field of merchandising. He has been a resident of Eugene for thirteen years and is now reaping the reward of well directed labor through a long period. A native of Prussia, he was born in the province of Schleswig-Holstein in 1879 and his parents were Jens and Annie Petersen. He lost his mother when a child and his father died in Denmark in 1917. H. William Petersen was educated in his native province and in 1879, when a youth of seventeen, sought the opportunities of the United States. He was employed for some time as a gardener in Chicago, also doing other kinds of work there. In 1904 he traveled westward and after a short stay in Montana proceeded to Idaho. He spent two years in Lewiston and was with C. J. Brier when he opened his first store in that city. Although inexperienced, Mr. Petersen displayed a special aptitude for this line of work and was similarly engaged in Chicago for two years. He then returned to Idaho and in 1908 was placed in charge of the branch establishment which Mr. Brier started in Moscow. Mr. Petersen acted in that capacity for six years and as manager he has materially promoted the interests of the C. J. Brier Company, which now operates a chain of fifty-six stores, located in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California. The corporation maintains its headquarters in Portland, Oregon, and handles shoes, dry goods and furnishings for ladies, gentlemen and boys. Mr. Petersen opened many new stores for the company, and also served as coast district manager. He established the store at Eugene in 1914 and under his expert management the company soon won a large share of the local trade. He is now living practically retired but is still financially interested in the C. J. Brier Company as well as in other corporations. At Moscow, Idaho, in 1908, Mr. Petersen was married to Miss Nellie Goserud, a native of South Dakota and a daughter of Ole Goserud, who lives near Coburg, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have three children: John Robert, Herman William and Annie Margaret. The oldest child is a high school pupil and all are natives of Eugene. Mr. Petersen is a Lutheran in religious faith, having been confirmed in his native land. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner. His life has been well spent and the qualities to which he owes his success have won for him the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.