Daniel Pettersson   

Also went by the name Dan Peterson 
  • Born:  1897, July 16, Valö, Film Sweden 
  • Emigrated: 1923, October 6.    
  • Death:  Unknown 
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Photo of a nyckelharpa that belonged to Jonas Skoglund, 1838-1936, that is presumed to be similar to the one that Jonas Spets built and Dan Peterson brought to American with him.   Photo credit MIMO, Musical Instrument Museums Online. 
Dan Peterson was born on July 16, 1897, in Valö, Film parish, Sweden—an area rich in nyckelharpa tradition. On October 6, 1923, he emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York with his nyckelharpa in hand.

Eventually he settled in Ashland, Wisconsin, a town on the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior.  Daniel lived with several members of his extended family including his uncle, Anders P. Peterson.

In Ashland, Dan found work at the General Hospital and is also believed to have spent some time working in Duluth, Minnesota.

​He remained deeply connected to his Swedish roots through music. His nyckelharpa, crafted by the renowned maker Jonas Spets, was purchased from the legendary nyckelharpa player Justus Gille for 12 SEK—about two U.S. dollar at the time. 

By 1933, Daniel had returned home to Sweden and lived with family members at Andersbo in Dannemore, Sweden.  
Credit  and thanks to Per-Ulf Allmo, Sweden for discovery of this musician and research support. 
Music Links
​Here are nyckelharpa tunes played by Justus Gille, who sold Dan Peterson his nyckelharpa.