Phebe Almira Nebeker Peterson


Wife of Elmer George Peterson, President of Agricultural College of Utah, 1916-1945

Phebe Almira Nebeker was born on June 3, 1890 in Laketown, Rich County, Utah on the east shore of Bear Lake. Her parents were Hyrum Nebeker and Phebe Hulme. Phebe married Elmer George Peterson on Sept. 3, 1913 in Salt Lake City. The Petersons had two daughters and two sons. The two youngest children were born in the president's house.

Phebe attended grade school in Laketown and Logan, at the old Benson School on 4th North and First East. She graduated from Brigham Young College in Logan in 1909. She studied a year at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, taught home economics at Brigham Young College, and graduated from the Agricultural College on June 3, 1913 with a B. S. degree. She majored in English and minored in home economics.

Elmer George Peterson became president of USU in 1916 three years after his marriage. Phebe was only 26 years old at the time of his appointment. Before his appointment they had built a cottage at 130 East Center. Their daughter, Marian, was born there.

E. G. was president for nearly 30 years. Phebe raised her children, hosted teas, receptions and dinner parties; the first dinner party she gave was for the entire football squad; and organized the Dames Club for wives of married students and the Newcomers Club. One of the changes she made in the president's home was to update the woodwork from dark to white or ivory.

In 1957, Phebe received an honorary doctorate from Utah State. She co-chaired the USU endowment campaign in 1970 and in 1971 was named university Alumnus of the Year. Her contributions to the community included service on the Logan LDS Hospital board. Among her memberships was the AC Woman's Club. E. G. died in 1958. In 1974, Phebe wrote Remembering E. G. Peterson.

Phebe died on Oct. 25, 1972 in Logan where she is buried.