W. C. Peltier
W. C. Peltier, whose farm of 160 acres is situated in section 4, Marion township, is now numbered with the retired residents of this locality, who have earned the esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens, together with a comfortable amount of this world's goods. Mr. Peltier was born August 16, 1837, in Sugar Creek township Allen County, Ohio, and is a grandson of Anthony Peltier and a son of James and Jane (Clark) Peltier.
Anthony Peltier was born in Canada, but was of French extraction. He located at Detroit, Michigan, in early manhood and became a successful Indian trader, continuing his residence there during the War of 1812. Conditions having changed on the frontier there, he removed to Maumee City, which is now denominated South Toledo, and there he continued trading with the Indians up to the time of his death. He was trusted by them and dealt honestly, being a devoted member of the Catholic Church.
James Peltier, son of Anthony and father of our subject, was born at Detroit, Michigan, in August, 1806, and died at Bluffton, Ohio, at the age of 83 years. He spoke both the French and English languages, understood two of three of the Indian dialects, and became a trader like his father. In 1830, at Findlay, Ohio, he married Jane Clark, who was a daughter of John and Sarah Clark. They had these children: Louisa, wife of S. J. Brand, of Bluffton; William C., of Marion Township; John W., of Lima; Enos, of Marion Township; Joseph O., deceased; and Charles W., of Michigan. Four of his sons served in Ohio regiments during the Civil War. In 1834 James Peltier and wife moved to Lima, and in 1835 settled in Sugar Creek township, one and a quarter miles north of Elida, where he cleared a farm from the forest on which he resided until 1863. In that year he removed to Marion township and settled on the farm now owned by his son, William C. Peltier. James Peltier was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, but after his marriage he changed his opinions, became identified with the Methodist bodies and for 20 years was a local Methodist preacher. In political sentiment he was a Republican.
William C. Peltier was reared on his father's farm and after completing a good, common school education began to teach. He became well known through Allen County as a teacher, his experience covering 23 winter terms in Sugar Creek and Marion townships. The opening of the Civil War aroused his patriotic feelings and he began to make preparations to enter the army. These culminated in his enlistment on August 1, 1862, at Lima, in Company E, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. C. Walters. Three years of the best portion of his life were devoted to the service of his country, his honorable discharge taking place in July, 1865, at Salisbury, North Carolina. Ohio people do not need to be told of the doings of the gallant 99th Ohio during that period. Mr. Peltier participated in almost all of the battles, skirmishes and long marches which this body was called upon to endure. He was one of those who so bravely fought on the bloody field of Chickamauga. At Lookout Mountain he was wounded in the side by a rifle ball, but took part in the Atlanta campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, participated in the battles of Pumpkin Vine Creek, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. He was with General Thomas at Nashville and fought through the two days of battle there, December 16-17, 1864. He was in every battle of his regiment with the exception of Stone River, when he was in a hospital. Mr. Peltier has every reason to feel proud of such a record.
After his return from the army, he resumed farming and school teaching. He has always been interested in agricultural pursuits. His farm is divided into two equal portions, 80 acres being on each side of the road. The tract on which his residence stands he cleared from the forest, living in the meantime in a log cabin. Through ditching, draining and tiling he has made his property one of the best in the township. He has done much in the way of encouraging public improvements and has always supported movements looking to the making of good, substantial, permanent roads.
On August 16, 1866, Mr. Peltier married Leah A. McBride, who was born September 18, 1842, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Alexander and Leah (Wolf) McBride. Alexander McBride was of Scotch-Irish extraction and was a pioneer in Allen County. He has 10 children, Mrs. Peltier being the seventh in order of birth. Four of her brothers served in the Civil War. Alexander McBride died on his farm, aged 70 years. He was a member of the Christian Union Church. In politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Peltier died November 18, 1887. She was a most worthy member of the United Brethren Church. The children born to our subject and wife were: a babe which died in infancy; Cora, born June 22, 1868, who married Rev. J. J. Richards, and at her death, September 22, 1897, left one son; H. M., born September 7, 1871 (a well known educator and one of Allen County' s Board of School Examiners), who married Callie Baxter, a daughter of Levi Baxter; Nelson, born March 23, 1876 (formerly a teacher, now a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana), who married Nettie North of Van Wert, and has one daughter, Leah Janette; James, born December 14, 1880 (residing on the home farm and teaching the district school), who married, on August 16, 1905, May Edwards, of Delphos. Mr. Peltier has given his sons 80 acres of land, which they have divided among themselves.
Politically, Mr. Peltier is identified with the Republican party. In religious belief he is a Methodist and is a member of Morris Chaple. During the period of its building he was one of the trustees and is now a steward and class- leader. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post, and to Hope Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., both of Delphos.