Peder O. Pederson was born August 12, 1877 in Norway and came to the United States at the age of 4, settling in Faith, Minnesota. 

Peder enlisted in the Army in 1898 and was stationed in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American War. He served with A Company, 31st Infantry.

He moved to Gonvick in 1914 and spent 60 years there. He operated a lumberyard and also operated stores. He served as mayor of Gonvick, city councilmember, justice of the peace and deputy sheriff. 

Peder’s wife of 42 years, the former Matilda Tordal, died in 1947.  Peder was 106 when he died in the nursing unit of the Fargo VA in 1983. At the time he was believed to be the last surviving veteran of the Spanish-American War.

Plot: 8       Side: South        Row from Bottom: 1

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