BIOGRAPHY - PETER PETERS
Peter J. Peters, who owns and operates three hundred and forty acres on section 19, Wall township, was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 11th of September, 1851, his parents being Hans and Margaret (Heesch) Peters, both of whom passed away in the fatherland, the former in 1867 and the latter in 1878. The father was a farmer by occupation. His family numbered eight children, namely: Hans H., residing in Gibson City, Illinois; Katherine, the wife of Peter Linderman, who still resides in Germany; John, of New Orleans; Henry and William, who are also living in the fatherland; and two who are deceased.
Peter J. Peters acquired his education in the schools of his native land, and when he had attained the age of twenty years emigrated to America, having heard many favorable reports concerning the broader business opportunities and other advantages which the new world offered. On his arrival in this country he located first at Bloomington, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for nine years, on the expiration of which period he operated a rented farm in McLean county, Illinois, for fifteen years. He then came to Ford county. At that time he had gained capital sufficient to enable him to purchase three hundred and forty acres on section 19, Wall township, removing to this place in 1896. He has partly improved his land and has also built a fine residence and other buildings on the west quarter of the farm, where his daughter now resides. He started out in life empty-handed and the splendid success which he has achieved is entirely the result of his own well directed labor and enterprise. In the spring of 1908 he expects to retire from the active work of the fields, having already made plans for the erection of a handsome residence in Gibson City, where he will spend the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Peters has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Ida Schoemaker, a native of Germany, by whom he had one daughter, Mary, the wife of Edward Tetzloff, who lives on a part of her father's farm. In 1876 our subject was joined in wedlock to Miss Maria Lambrech, also a native of Germany, by whom he had thirteen children, as follows: Emma, the wife of Jacob Rammers, of El Paso, Illinois; William, who makes his home in Peoria; Ella, who became the wife of Harry Sharp, and resides in Ford county, August, at home; Anna; Henry; Minnie; Elma; Albert; Carl, deceased; Louise; Ada; and one who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Peters is a democrat and has served as school director for fifteen years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch friend. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Lutheran church and are well and favorably known throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth. Germany has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the fatherland to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Peters. He found the opportunity he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the growing country. Though born across the water, he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history- of Ford county, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen.
Extracted 16 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 505-506.
