Lester Peterson, WHC Collections M3 1992-117-0003

Lester C. Peterson

Job Title(s)

Helper, Dyer, Carbonizer

Dates of Employment

c. 1935-1953

Last Name  Peterson 
First Name  Lester 
Middle Name  Carrol 
Born  2 Sep 1906 in Dallas, OR 
Home Addresses (Salem)  205 22nd SE 
Died  5 Dec 1953 in Salem, OR 
Place Buried  City View Cemetery in Salem, OR 
Spouse  None 
Date of Marriage  N/A 
Children  None 
Dates of Employment  1935 – 1953 
Job(s) at TKWM  Helper, Dyer, Carbonizer 
Life Story  Lester Peterson worked as a common laborer and dyer for TKWM from about 1930 through his death in 1953. His father Nils and brother Elmer also worked at the mill. 

Lester Carrol Peterson was born on 2 Sep 1907 in Dallas, OR to Nils A. and Mabel Peterson. Both Lester and older brother Elmer were born deaf. In 1920, the family moved to Salem where both boys would attend the Oregon School for the Deaf. Father Nils took work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. The family lived at 205 22nd St. in SE Salem, walking distance from the woolen mill. 

After Lester graduated from school, he took work as a laborer with Salem Brick & Tile. Then joined his father and brother Elmer, in the TKWM dyehouse a few years later. He never married. After father Nils passed away in 1934 Elmer, Lester and sister Agnes supported their mother, Mabel. Both brothers remained at TKWM and became carbonizers in 1940.  

Tragically, Lester was killed in a car accident on 5 Dec 1953 in Salem, OR. He was buried in the City View Cemetery alongside family members.  
References 
Name  Remarks 
Salem City Directories  1926-27 Lester C Peterson 205 S 22nd Laborer 

1928-29 Lester C Peterson 205 S 22nd Laborer, Salem Brick & Tile 

1930-31 Lester C Peterson 205 S 22nd Laborer, Salem Brick & Tile 

1934 Lester C Peterson 205 S 22nd Laborer 

1935 Lester C Peterson 205 S 22nd Dyer, TKWM 

1936-1947 Lester C Peterson 205 S 22nd St. Hlpr/Dyer, TKWM 

1949-1953 Lester C Peterson 205 S 22nd St. Empl, TKWM 
Federal / County Census Records  1910 Lester C Peterson. Age: 3. Birth Date: abt 1907 in Oregon. Home in 1910: Newport St. Newport, OR. Single, son to HOH. Additional household members: Nils A Peterson, age 44 (father), Mabel C Peterson, age 30 (mother), Vergie A Peterson, age 10 (brother), Elmer Peterson, age 7 (brother), Alton Peterson, age 5 (brother). 

1920 Lester C Peterson. Age: 13. Birth Date: abt 1907 in Oregon. Home in 1920: 2 22nd St. Salem, OR. Single, son to HOH. Additional household members: Nils A Peterson, age 54 (father), Mabel M Peterson, age 39 (mother), Vergie A Peterson, age 20 (brother), Elmer R Peterson, age 17 (brother), Nels Alden Peterson, age 15 (brother), Agnes Peterson, age 7 (sister). 

1930 Lester C Peterson. Age: 23. Birth Date: abt 1907 in Oregon. Home in 1930: 205 S 22nd St. Salem, OR. Single, son to HOH. Additional household members: Nils A Peterson, age 64 (father), Mabel C Peterson, age 49 (mother), Elmer R Peterson, age 27 (brother), Agnes M Peterson, age 17 (sister).  

1940 Lester Peterson. Age: 32. Birth Date: abt 1907 in Oregon. Home in 1940: 205 S 22nd St. Salem, OR. Single, son to HOH. Occupation: Carbonizer, Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Mabel Peterson, age 59 (mother), Elmer Peterson, age 37 (brother), Agnes Peterson, age 27 (sister). 

1950  Lester Peterson. Age: 43. Birth Date: abt 1907 in Oregon. Home in 1950: 205 S 22nd St. Salem, OR. Single, son to HOH. Occupation: Extractor, Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Mabel C. Peterson, age 69 (mother), Elmer R. Peterson, age 47 (brother), Agnes M. Peterson, age 37 (sister). 
Find-a-Grave  Lester C. Peterson. Birth: 1906. Death: 1953. Burial: City View Cemetery, Salem, Marion County, OR. Memorial ID: 74874196 
Digital Newspapers  Oregon Statesman, 6 Dec 1953 p 1. Lester Peterson death from car accident 
WW2 Draft Card  Lester Carrol Peterson. Age: 34. Birth: 2 Sep 1902 in Dallas, OR. Residence: 205 N 22nd, Salem, OR. Registration: 16 Oct 1940. Employer: Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Remark: Registrant is deaf and dumb.  
WHC Materials  M3 1966-001              Mill Records 

M3 1987-011-0001    Photo 

M3 1992-117-0003    Photo 

M3 1992-117-0004    PhotoÂ