John H. Peters
Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have gained for them a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of their fellow citizens, there is no one more worthy of mention in this volume than John H. Peters, of Paint township. A leading farmer and stock raiser of the township in which he resides, and a man of decided views and laudable ambitions, his influence has always been exerted for the benefit of his fellow citizens and the general wefare of his community. With few opportunities except those which his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional success in life and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in wdiich he has resided has been benefited by his presence and counsel.
John H. Peters, the son of Daniel and Mary C. (Hawkins) Peters, was born April 30, 1844, in the Shenandoah valley. Virginia. Daniel Peters was the son of Daniel and Christina (Fansler) Peters, natives also of Virginia. Daniel Peters, Sr., came to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1823. where he lived the remainder of his life. Daniel Peters, Jr., and wife were the parents of seven children, Ellen, Sarah F., John H., Reuben A.,Amanda, Austin S. and William. Ellen died unmarried; Sarah F. became the wife of Abraham Mowery, and has four children, Charles, Amanda, Bess and Ida; Reuben A. married Kate Sheets and has three children, Charles, Daniel R. and Minnie; Amanda married Noah Zirkle and has four children, Charles, Fannie, Clara and Jane; Austin S. married Frances Sheets and has three children, Hugh, Rose and Gertrude; William M. married Martha Saum. and has two children.
John H. Peters was educated in Virginia and, although he was only seventeen years of age when the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Confederate army and served three years. He was mustered in as a member of Company K, Twelfth Regiment Virginia Cavalry, and served under Gen. T. E. B. Stewart, his colonel being Asher W. Harmon. He was captured at Culpeper, Virginia, and was held a prisoner of war at Point Lookout, Maryland, and Elmira, New York, but was exchanged and rejoined his regiment, being finally discharged at Richmond, Virginia.
After the close of the war Mr. Peters went to Licking county, Ohio, and for the first three years worked by the month. He saved his earnings, bought a team and began farming for himself. After his marriage he came to Fayette county and located in Paint township, where he bought a small farm. As he prospered he added to his land holdings until he is now the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of fine farming land on the Bloomingburg and Sedalia pike. He has so managed his farm as to secure maximum results from his efforts, and by dividing his attention between the raising of crops and live stock he has attained a very comfortable competence for his declining years.
Mr. Peters was married March 8, 1877, to Nancy J. Green, the daughter of Louis and Elizabeth (Alkire) Green. Her father was a minister of the Christian church and was a native of Greene county, Ohio. Louis Green and wife were the parents of six children, Mary, Nancy J., Thomas, J. W.. Lucinda and George. Mary became the wife of John Salmon; Thomas married Sarah Hidy, now deceased, and has two children, Emma and Ernest; J. W. married Jennie Bostwick, and has two sons, George W. and Ross; Lucinda became the wife of W. R. Thomas and has four children. Harry, Evan. Bessie and William, deceased; George married Mary Brock and has three children, Jessie, Leslie and Margaret.
Politically, Mr. Peters has been a life-long Democrat in politics, but has never felt inclined to take an active part in political matters. He and his family are consistent members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they have long been interested.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)