"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



The Norwegians that have come to Watonwan county have made good not only as farmers but in various vocations and have built up a thriving community. Among the enterprising merchants at the present time is Peter N. Sterrie of St. James. He was born in Norway, December 15, 1864, and is a son of Nels Hess and Johanne Sterrie, both of whom lived and died in Norway, the death of the father occurring in May, 1913, and that of the mother in 1908.

Peter N. Sterrie was reared in his native land and was educated in the public schools. When nineteen years old he came to St. Peter's, Minnesota, in 1884, and on March 7, 1887, arrived in St. James. Here he was employed for twelve years in the store of J. K. Sonnesyn. Having saved his earnings and learned the various details of the business, he started a general store of his own in 1912. He took in his brother, Ole Hess Sterrie, as a partner, and the firm name is now P. N. Sterrie & Company. They have built up a large and growing business and carry an extensive and carefully-selected stock of goods at all seasons. Mr. Sterrie was married in 1895, to Marie Sonnesyn, who was born in Norway in 1862, and is a daughter of Christopher Sonnesyn, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Sterrie has been without issue.

Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Republican, and he has long been active in local public affairs. He was mayor of St. James for two years, and he has been a member of the city council for a number of years. He has done much for the general welfare of the town and community. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Ole Hess Sterrie, mentioned above, was born in Norway, December 3, 1877. He grew up in his native land and received a common school education. In 1895 he came to St. James, Minnesota, and was employed by his brother in the store until 1913, when he was admitted as a partner in the business. Politically, he is a Republican and he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church.



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