- JOHN W. PETERS, one of the leading contractors and builders
of Janesville, Rock County, is a
- good example of what can be accomplished by earnest, persistent
effort, directed along the proper channels.
- John W. PETERS was born Jan. 18, 1854, at Whitewater, Wis.,
son of John and Lydia
- (FROST) PETERS, natives of Devonshire, England. The paternal
grandfather of our subject was William PETERS, a native of England,
a contractor and builder, who died in his native land in middle
life. He had a family of five children, all now deceased. The
grandfather on the mothers side, John FROST, was also a native
of England, came to America, and located at Whitewater. Later
he removed to Janesville, dying there at the age of eighty years.
While in Whitewater he pursued the occupation of farming, but
after coming to Janesville retired from active labor. A large
family was born to himself and wife.
John PETERS, the father of John W. PETERS, immigrated to America
about 1852, locating in Whitewater, Wis., and came to Janesville
in 1854, dying in that city in March, 1876, at the age of fifty-two.
His wife, who still survives him, resides at Janesville. By
occupation Mr. PETERS was a contractor, and he was very successful
at his calling. In religious opinion he was an Episcopalian,
while Mrs. PETERS is a member of the Methodist Church. Four
children were born to them, three daughters and one son: Eliza,
Mrs. PERKINS, of Elgin, Ill.; John W.; Miss Mina PETERS, of Elgin,
and Tillie, wife of Henry DAVIS of Pullman, Illinois.
- John W. PETERS, our subject, was reared in Janesville, attending
the excellent schools of that
- city, and when fifteen began learning the trade of mason
and builder, which he has successfully followed ever since.
For fifteen years Mr. PETERS was with the Chicago & Northwestern
railroad, constructing bridges, buildings, etc., after which
he engaged in business as a contractor and builder in Janesville.
However, his efforts are not confined to that city alone, as
he has contracts throughout the State. Among the substantial
structures in Janesville which bear evidence of his skill are
the county buildings, including the Rock County jail, the latter
constructed in 1899; in 1893 Mr. PETERS constructed the high
school at Clinton, Rock County, a modern edifice. In addition
to this contract, the same year Mr. PETERS and his partner, O.
F. NOWLAN, had others, amounting to some $80,000. The work of
this firm is not confined to public structures, as they have
erected many of the finest buildings in Janesville, including
Mr. PETERS' own home, No. 101 Fourth avenue, corner of Hickory
street. Possessing a thorough insight into their work, commanding
unlimited facilities for the prompt and efficient carrying out
of their contracts, Mr. PETERS and his partner are well equipped
to handle the enormous volume of business which annually is awarded
them, and are destined to become one of the leading contracting
firms of the State.
- On Dec. 23, 1875, Mr. PETERS married Miss Mary Kate WARD,
daughter of D. C. and Mary
- WARD. One son and two daughters have been born to this union:
John Dewitt, who died in March, 1890, Myrtle and Kathryn. Mrs.
PETERS and her two daughters are members of the Episcopal Church,
in the work of which they take an important part. Socially Mr.
PETERS is a member of the Royal Arcanum; Western Star Lodge,
No. 14, F. & A.M.; Janesville Chapter, No. 5, R.A.M.; Janesville
Commandery, No. 2, K.T.; Wisconsin Consistory, S.P.R.S. at Milwaukee;
and Tripoli Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Milwaukee; and he and Mrs.
PETERS are also members of the Eastern Star. Politically Mr.
PETERS is a Democrat, and has represented the Second Ward in
the city council.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, pp. 922-923.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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