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    Peterson, Carl Donald "C. Donald"

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1959-62 (District 36)

    Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus

    Counties Served:  Hennepin

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 2/2/1918
    Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Birth County: Hennepin
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 12/19/1987
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Presbyterian
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: C. Donald
    City of Residence (when first elected): Edina
    Occupation (when first elected): Lawyer

    EDUCATION

    Minnehaha Academy High School; Secondary; Graduate
    University of Minnesota; B.A.; Cum Laude
    University of Illinois, Law School; LL.B.; With Honors, 1941

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Military: United States Army Air Force (World War II, Bronze Star and U.N. Medal Recipient); 194? to 194?
    Military: United States Air Force (Korean War); 195? to 19??
    Judge: Minnesota Supreme Court (Associate Justice); 01/1967 to 01/06/1986 [Elected]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Gretchen (she had been an Ice Follies ice skater)
    Children: Six children: Barabara (she was Miss U.S.A. in 1976), and Polly (she was Miss Minnesota U.S.A. in 1981) (daughters); Craig, Mark, Todd, and Scott (sons)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
    Paul Kenneth Peterson  - Brother

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was the youngest of 10 children.

    He "was assistant floor leader for the conservative caucus in his second term. ("Supreme Court Senior Justice Peterson Quits." Star Tribune, August 31, 1985)

    He ran unsuccessfully as the Republican party endorsed candidate for Minnesota Lieutenant Governor in the 1962 election.

    He was the first Chair of the Minnesota News Council. He served from 1971 to 1981.

    He died from cancer at home in Edina, Minnesota. He had suffered with lymphoma since 1969. His funeral was held at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minnesota.

    He was a member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by Star Tribune, August 31, 1985.

    Total Days Served: 1463

    SESSIONS SERVED

    62nd Legislative Session (1961-1962)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 36
    Elected: 11/8/1960
    Residence: Edina
    Term of Office: 1/3/1961 to 1/7/1963
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Lawyer
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus Party Notes: He "was assistant floor leader for the conservative caucus in his second term. ("Supreme Court Senior Justice Peterson Quits." Star Tribune, August 31, 1985)
    Committees:
    • Cities of the First and Second Class
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Highways
    • Reapportionment
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
    Leadership Notes: He "was assistant floor leader for the conservative caucus in his second term. ("Supreme Court Senior Justice Peterson Quits." Star Tribune, August 31, 1985)

    61st Legislative Session (1959-1960)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 36
    Elected: 11/4/1958
    Residence: Edina
    Term of Office: 1/6/1959 to 1/2/1961
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Lawyer
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Cities of the First and Second Class
    • Education
    • Reapportionment
    • University

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    Minnesota Supreme Court. "C. Donald Peterson." Biographical Sketches of Justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court and Judges of the Minnesota Court of Appeals from Territorial Days to 1990, St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Company, 1990, p. 30.

    O'Connor, Debra. "Former Justice Peterson Dies (Obituary)." St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 20, 1987, p. 1A, 9A.

    Pheifer, Pat. "C. Donald Peterson Dies at 69; Served on State Supreme Court (Obituary)." Star Tribune, December 20, 1987.

    "Justice Leaves Mark." St. Paul Pioneer Press, January 11, 1986.

    "Peterson Court Service Distinguished." Duluth News-Tribune, September 4, 1985.

    Beran, George. "State Justice Peterson to Step Down." St. Paul Pioneer Press, August 31, 1985.

    Zack, Margaret. "Supreme Court Senior Justice Peterson Quits." Star Tribune, August 31, 1985, p. 1B, 2B.


    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

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