Momme Peterson

Who was Momme Peterson?

Momme Peterson was a Danish-Norwegian businessperson and politician. He is best known for founding the company M. Peterson & Søn.

Peterson was born in Slesvig. He migrated to Norway in 1793, settled in the city of Moss and acquired burghership in 1801. In the same year he founded his own company, a general store with various groceries and manufactured goods. He later opened a spinning mill, and also expanded to trade with timber. The name M. Peterson & Søn was taken in 1828.

Momme Peterson was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1821, representing the constituency of Moss. Here, he marked himself as an opponent of King Charles XIV John, who had several fruitless attempts to strengthen his control over the Norwegian Parliament. Peterson only served one term.

After his death, the company would expand into regular shipping, but later, under the leadership of Momme Peterson's grandson Theodor this was discontinued. Instead, Theodor and another descendant Hans Blom Peterson successfully expanded into the pulp and paper industry.