My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM F. PETERS. The excellence of the soil of Berrien County for the purpose of fruit-growing has been demonstrated, and the cities have been surrounded with an industrious population, through whose efforts the land gives forth the elements of wealth in the results of labor, and who are supplying to the towns a large proportion of their business strength. Prominent among the successful fruit-growers of St. Joseph Township stands the name of William F. Peters, the owner of a valuable farm located on section 2.

The first representative of the Peters family in America was Jacob, our subject’s grandfather, who was born in Germany and emigrated thence to the United States in an early day, settling in Yates County, N. Y., and following farming pursuits there until his death. During the War of 1812 he rendered valiant service to our country and was afterward a pensioner of the Government. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Bell, were the parents of one daughter and seven sons. Henry Peters, father of our subject, was born in Yates County, N. Y., and there grew to manhood. At Naples, Ontario County, N. Y., he married Miss Rachael Watkins, and, returning to Yates County, resided there until his death, which occurred at the early age of thirty-three.

There were seven children in the parental family, of whom the survivors are: Charles W., a resident of Bangor, Mich.; Henry B., a grocer of Citra, Fla.; Georgia, who is the wife of Edward Brain, of Chicago; and William F. The father of these children was quite successful in his agricultural operations and became the owner of about one hundred and fifty acres in New York State. He also served as a Captain in the State militia. Removed by death when his children were small, they were deprived of his helpful counsel and active assistance, and were early obliged to earn their own livelihood.

In Middlesex, Yates County, N. Y., the subject of this notice was born January 31, 1843, and upon the home place he spent the years of his boyhood and youth. After completing the studies of the common schools, he entered the academy at Naples, N. Y., where he remained for one year. At the age of twenty-two he left home and came to Michigan, where he located in Branch County upon a farm near Leonidas. One year later he came to Berrien County, and, in connection with his brother Charles, purchased a peach farm consisting of thirty acres. This they carried on successfully until the blight ruined the peaches, after which they devoted their attention to raising berries. Mr. Peters now has thirty-seven acres, of which twenty-five have been set out in fruit. While he devotes his attention principally to berries, he also has a peach and pear orchard, and finds the business a profitable one. The improvements upon the place are the result of his labors, and the farm is now in a high state of cultivation. The lady who in 1868 became the wife of Mr. Peters was formerly Mrs. Ella Hammond and is a native of New York State, being the daughter of Samuel Yund. They are the parents of two children: Roy S., who is at home; and Jessie M., a teacher in the public schools of St. Joseph. Politically, Mr. Peters is a Republican, and has held the office of Treasurer of Lincoln Township for four years.