Biographical Sketches
Peter Mortensen
Peter Mortensen, Treasurer of the State of Nebraska, is a native of Denmark, was born October 18, 1844. He came to America in 1870 and to Nebraska in 1872, locating in Valley county, where he commenced farming. In 1875 he was elected county treasurer of Valley county and served until 1884, filling the office nine consecutive years. After retiring from the treasurer's office he commenced in the banking business at Ord. In 1885 upon the organization of the First National Bank he became its assistant cashier, which position he retained until 1888 when he became its president and continues in this office. From 1888 until 1901 he was one of the heavy stockholders in the Woodberry Milling Co. of Ord. He is an extensive real estate owner and devotes much of his attention to agriculture and stock-raising.
In the election of 1902, in his own county he ran ahead of his ticket 498 votes, while the nominal majority is about 116. Mr. Mortensen has always been a Republican and an active worker for his party's good. He has never been an office-seeker and this is his first election to any important public office. Mr. Mortensen was married in 1878 to Jennie Williams, of Lee county, Illinois, and is the father of one son.
Source: Transcription from the book, Portrait and Biographical Album of the State Officers and the Members of the Nebraska Legislature, edited by Daniel M. Carr, published in 1903; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org), accessed 17 March 2026.
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