Val Peterson

Frederick Valdemar Erastus "Val" Peterson (born July 18, 1903 in Oakland , Burt County , Nebraska , † October 17, 1983 in Fremont , Nebraska) was an American politician and from 1947 to 1953 the 27th governor of the state of Nebraska.

Early years and political advancement

Val Peterson attended Wayne State Teachers College and the University of Nebraska until 1927 . He then worked as a teacher and later as a school principal in Elgin . For ten years he was the editor of the Elgin Review newspaper. During World War II, Peterson was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Forces . Peterson was a member of the Republican Party . In 1940 he was campaign manager for his fellow party member Hugh A. Butler , who successfully ran for a seat in the US Senate . Between 1941 and 1942 he served as an advisor and secretary to Governor Dwight Griswold . In November 1946, Peterson was elected the new governor of Nebraska.

Governor of Nebraska

Peterson's tenure began on January 9, 1947. After he was confirmed in office by voters in 1948 and 1950, he was able to serve as governor until January 8, 1953. During this time, plans were drawn up to further develop the areas along the Missouri River . The governor also had to deal with the aftermath of an extraordinarily violent snow storm. At the same time, plans for a motorway toll were discussed. Peterson was a member of several governors' associations, at times he was chairman of the National Governors Association .

Another résumé

At the end of his third and final term as governor, Peterson entered federal politics. President Dwight D. Eisenhower named him a Civil Defense Administrator . He was a member of the President's Cabinet. Peterson held this office between 1953 and 1957. He was then appointed Ambassador of the United States to Denmark . He stayed there until 1960. Between 1969 and 1973 he was ambassador to Finland . In this capacity he hosted the SALT II talks in 1972. Ex-Governor Peterson died in October 1983 and was buried in his native Oakland. He was married to Elizabeth Howells Pleak.

Web links

• Val Peterson at the National Governors Association (English)
• Val Peterson in the database of Find a Grave (English)