From collection Candidates
Lillian J. Peterson was elected as City Treasurer of Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California, in 1914 for a two year term. She won by a large majority of votes in 1916, and in 1918 had no opposing candidates. In 1920 Peterson was elected a fourth term, which under a new law was for a four year term. She was the first woman elected in the city, and was considered to be an example of the "fitness and capability" of women to hold office. Peterson was active with a local women's club, the local Grange, and with the Order of the Eastern Star. She also assisted in the office with her husband's plumbing business, and by 1922 was also the local Mountain View agent for the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company of Hartford.
