Johan Emil  was born in Vireda Parish. He was the only child who lived to be grown up, of Ida Charlottas and Joh. Frans 3 sons. The younger sons died as babies.

Johan Emils father Joh. Frans died in lung-tuberculosis when Johan Emil was 4 years old.

His mother took him along back to her home to Adelöv parish after this. They stayed with her sister Christinas family at Önnestorp and later to his Grandparents at Sötåsa.

At the age of 9, his mother took him along and moved to the US-  April/May 1882- together with his mother and his cousin Emil Frid Tyden who was 17years old. They settled in Moline, Rock island, Illinois where his mothers sister Hedda Lovisa and Lottie lived since over 10 years.

1900 – at the age of 26, he is registered still living with his mother in Moline. A same-aged Swedish friend, Charles Edwall, is registered at their household. They were both working as ‘Implement fitters’ at the time.

He belonged to the First Covenant Church.

FAMILY:

At 1906 he marries Emma C Swenson born 1882 and they have 3 children: Nina 1907, Burdette 1909 and Earl Petersen 1912.

WORK:

He worked as a Tool and die maker at Try Laundry Machinery Company in Moline, Illinois

In 1920- 47 years old- he is a Manager of a plow works at Quincy, Adams County, Illinois,

In 1930, at 57 years of age he is a superintendent of a fur farm; Superintendent of a fur farm;  and lived at Audubon Ave. Jackson City, Michigan
He has one grand-child: John Hunt Peterson, an adopted son born 1942.