WILLIAM PETERS

WILLIAM PETERS, of Washington Township, was born in the Emerald Isle, March 13, 1839, and is the son of Peter and Betty (Moorhead) Peters, both of whom died in Ireland; they were the parents of ten children - John M., James, William, Agnes, wife of A. D. Tomb; Jane, wife of Robert Enert; Thomas, David, Peter, Patrick, Catherine, wife of Robert McKeever. Mr. Peters left his native soil and sailed for America in 1857. He first settled in Illinois, and there learned the brick-mason's trade. He worked at this until the breaking out of the war, when he went to defend the flag of his adopted country. He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 27, 1862, and served until July 28, 1865, when he was discharged in Chicago. He took part in the following engagements-Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, and about Atlanta. He got a furlough to go home for election in 1864. Mr. Peters worked at his trade for three years in Montana in connection with mining. In 1880 he was married to Miss Myra Tomb, a daughter of John and Frances (Shaw) Tomb. She is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1843. Mr. Peters resided in Harrison County, Iowa, a few years, and eight years ago he returned to Illinois, but remained there only seven years.He then came to Shelby County and commenced improving his farm. He is erecting a frame house that will cost him about $1,200. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter. Mrs. Peters is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 623. Transcribed and submitted by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs