Melvin married Sarah Ann Strang 5 May 1905, Middlebury, , Wisconsin, United States. Sarah (daughter of William Strang and Caroline Emily Price) was born 1 May 1884, Brigham, Iowa, Wisconsin, United States; died 28 May 1964, Monroe, , Wisconsin, United States. [Group Sheet]

1. Minerva Alberta Peterson was born 23 Oct 1906, , Iowa, Wisconsin, United States; died 16 Feb 1935.
2. Caroline Peterson was born 5 Dec 1909, , Iowa, Wisconsin, United States; died 4 Jul 1987.
3. William Albert Peterson was born 16 Jul 1914, , Iowa, Wisconsin, United States; died 30 Mar 1939.
4. Paul Orthel Peterson was born 10 Dec 1915, , Iowa, Wisconsin, United States; died 13 Nov 1982.
5. Ralph Sheldon Peterson
6. Genevieve Peterson was born 7 Nov 1919, , Iowa, Wisconsin, United States; died 18 Feb 1987.