By Unsie Zuege

Jo Mihelich has spent nearly 30 years setting the record straight regarding Swedish pioneer Andrew Peterson.

Her efforts will be recognized and honored on April 21, when Mihelich, of Victoria, will receive the Swedish Council of America’s national Award of Merit. She’ll be honored at a gala dinner at the Interlachen Country Club, Edina.

Originally, from Chisholm, Minn., Mihelich and her husband, Bill, a conservation officer, settled in Waconia, then built a home south of Highway 5, across road from the Peterson farm. She was charmed by the area. However, her interest in local history and Peterson caught fire when in 1977, on a visit to Chisago County, she picked up a local tourist guide. She saw that the Lindstrom area was claiming Peterson as its own, even more galling because in turn the area was assumed the setting that Peterson described in his diaries.

She knew differently. From living near the Peterson homestead and interviewing long-time residents of the area, she knew that Peterson immigrated to the United States in 1850 and settled in Laketown Township. This area later became known as “Scandia” because of the many Swedish settlers who settled there. Most importantly, Peterson kept a daily journal of his immigration experience and his life as a farmer. These diaries later found a home at the Minnesota Historical Society.  They are significant because they provide such thorough documentation of a Swedish immigrant farm that still stands, and the daily life of a Swedish immigrant. The diaries caught the attention of Swedish writer Vilhelm Moberg who used Peterson’s diaries as the source for much of his famous book series.  

With this knowledge of the truth, she took it upon herself “to correct this injustice,” Mihelich recalled. It took seven years of research, but she finally self-published “Andrew Peterson and the Scandia Story” in 1984. Since then, she has been involved in keeping the Peterson farmstead in the public eye. She is a member of the Carver County Historical Society, and a member of the Friends of the Andrew Peterson Society.

The Swedish Council of America selected Mihelich for her work in promoting and preserving the historic Andrew Peterson farm at 8050 Highway 5, between Victoria and Waconia. Mihelich, 80, had devoted the last 30 years to the Andrew Peterson story, and to the preservation of his Swedish farmstead. She is the author of the book, “Andrew Peterson and the Scandia Story.”

The dinner celebrates the Swedish Council of America’s 35th anniversary. The Council’s national headquarters is in Minneapolis. The program will include remarks by Ambassador Gunnar Lund, Sweden’s ambassador to the United States, the presentation of the Great Swedish Heritage Award to Nils Hasselmo for his professional work promoting and expanding the understanding and communication between Sweden and the U.S.

Mihelich is one of 19 individuals who will receive the Award of Merit. These individuals, from many organizations in the upper Midwest, are recognized for their countless hours promoting and preserving Swedish heritage in North America.  According to Elise Peters, executive director of the Swedish Council, an important part of the Swedish Council’s mission is bringing attention to the noteworthy contributions of individuals. The Award of Merit was established at the Council’s 25th Anniversary in 1987. Since that time, nearly 100 individuals throughout North America and Sweden have received its Award of Merit. “This award is given to those who have devoted their time and talents on the “grass roots” level to assure the well-being of their organizations,” Peters said. “It is important to note that candidates are nominated for this award by their own organizations.” 

In 2003, a group in Sweden formed the Andrew Peterson Society to promote interest in his life and work, and to raise money to fund preservation and restoration of his historic farm at 8050 Hwy. 5, between Victoria and Waconia. That group prompted the establishment of the Friends of the Andrew Peterson Society. In October 2006, the two groups worked together in bringing Swedish members with carpentry skills to the farm to repair the granary.

For all her passion for the Peterson history and farm, you would think Mihelich  is Swedish. “I don’t have even one percent Swedish blood,” she laughed. “I’m Slovenian and Croatian.”

  Become a FriendThe Friends of the Andrew Peterson Society meets on the third Saturday of every month at The Shores of Stieger Lake, 1776 Stieger Lake Lane, Victoria. For more information, contact Jo Mihelich at (952) 442-4130 or Ron Holtmeier at (952) 443-2061. To learn more about Andrew Peterson, visit www.andrewpeterson.seFor more information about the Swedish Council of America and the Award of Merit, visit www.swedishcouncil.org.