Thorval V. Peterson

Camp Forrest, Georgia / World War I
  • Military specialty: Engineers
  • Awards: Unknown

b. 9 Aug 1897; d. 20 Nov 1980. Thorval Victor Peterson was born in Westbrook Twp., Cottonwood Co., MN to Carl and Christine (Thompson) Peterson. He grew up on the family farm in Westbrook Twp. and attended Double Lakes public school where he completed one year of high school. He also attended Mankato Business College and graduated from there in 1916.

On 24 Aug 1918, Thorval registered for the draft and on 23 Oct 1918, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 13th Provisional/Recruitment Co., Engineers, at Camp Forrest, Georgia.  Thorval was a mess sergeant at Camp Dix in GA for the last three months of WWI.  On 7 Jan 1919, Pvt. Peterson was discharged at Camp Dodge, IA.

After his military service, Thorval lived in the Westbrook area for the rest of his life.  He was employed by the Citizens State Bank for thirty years, where he worked twenty years as a cashier and ten years as its president.  In 1946, he operated a real estate, insurance and bonds company, until his retirement in 1976.

On 16 Jul 1927, Thorval married Murial M. Skillingstad in Windom, MN;  they had two children.

Thorval was very active in his community where he was a volunteer fireman for twenty-five years, on the school board for twenty-one years, the Westbrook Cemetery Board for thirteen years, and a council member for two terms.  He was also a member of the Masonic Onyx Lodge, Commercial Club and the Rolling Hills Gold Club/ Hospital Retirement Apartments.  Thorval was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Westbrook.

On 20 Nov 1980, Thorval suffered a severe stroke at his home and passed away at the Schmidt Memorial Hospital in Westbrook.  He was buried in the Lakeview Cemetery in Windom, MN.

  • Obituary: Yes