John Peter’s parents were Henry Peters and Rebecca Wilhelm, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1831, the late Judge Salters, in later years a prominent citizen of Portsmouth, and an intimate friend of Henry Peters in Pennsylvania, moved to Ohio. In 1833 he returned to Pennsylvania and induced Henry Peters and the latter’s son-in-law, George Wurts, afterward a prominent ironman, to return to Ohio with him. They landed at Wheelersburg and settled at the Scioto Furnace, Scioto county, Ohio, where they lived for three years.
Our subject, John Peters, had not the advantages of school discipline but, by a long experience among men and things, has made up, to a great extent, his lack of early education. At nineteen, he began learning the moulder’s trade at Pine Grove Furnace, Lawrence county, Ohio. Having followed this business for two years, he began manufacturing charcoal at Mount Vernon Furnace, a business he followed for five years with success.
He then associated with the late J. O. Willard and leased Buckhorn Furnace, and for two and half years, was manager of that concern. In 1844, he built Greenup Furnace in Greenup county, Kentucky, now called Honeywell Furnace, and after managing the same for one year with success, returned to Ohio and joined John Campbell, Madison Cole, William Clements, and J. L. Thompson in erecting Olive Furnace, in the building of which Mr. Peters became superintendent.
After its erection, he continued to manage it for about six years. He then moved to Ironton and became one of a company consisting of Samuel McConnell, Isaac Peters, John Campbell, W. M. Bowles, and Thomas McGovney, to build the Washington Furnace and the erection of which he superintended.
In 1855, he superintended the building of Monroe Furnace in Jackson county. The company consisted of S. McConnell, Thomas McGovney, Isaac Peters, W. M. Bolles, Professor Mathers, John Campbell, and John Peters. The last two owned a controlling interest in this furnace. In 1855 he built the Madison Furnace in the same county. The owners of this furnace were J. P. Terry of Portsmouth, J. Bentley, M.R. Tuksbarry, F. Duduit, John Campbell, and John Peters, and the investment was profitable. He disposed of his interest in Madison in 1867.
In 1865, he formed a partnership with his brother, Isaac Peters, and opened a banking house in Ironton under the firm name of J. Peters & Co., and continued this business for three years, when he engaged in superintending the building of the Monitor Furnace, owned by Isaac Peters, Joseph Bimpson, F. E. Duduit, William Simington, John Ballard and himself. He afterward bought the Lawrence Furnace individually from Culbertson, Means & Co.
This is an old furnace, built in 1834, and, when a young man, our subject had been employed as a laborer. It is valuable property, among the most desirable of its kind in Southern Ohio, and is still owned and controlled entirely by his family.
In addition to these enterprises, he was one of the principal men who laid out the town of Ironton and built the Iron railroad. Also, one of the originators of the old Star Nail Mill, under the firm name of Peters, James & Co.; the establishment is now called the Bellefonte Iron Works. Also, one of the original owners of the Olive foundry and machine shops is now operated by Lambert Brothers.
He likewise laid out the town of Petersburg, four miles above Ironton, and built the Monitor Furnace at that place, the town named for him. After disposing of the Washington and Monroe Furnaces, he purchased three hundred acres of land and laid out an addition to the town of Portland, Jackson county, Ohio. He was also, at one time, interested in the old Ironton rolling mill, now called the New York and Ohio Iron and Steel Works Company, and in the Gallia Furnace, Gallia county, Ohio.
In politics, Mr. Peters was formerly identified with the Whigs, later with the republicans, til 1875, when he became an adherent of the democratic party. He has taken a lively interest in political contests and has, on several occasions, appeared in public as the expounder of the principles of his party.
He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1836 and has held the office of steward in the same. He has been married twice. His first wife was Sarah McDannel, who died August 30th, 1842, having been the mother of four children. His second wife was Mary C. Duduit, whom he married on December 23d, 1843. The issue of this union has been six children.
His sons all received their education in the public schools of Ironton, with the addition that George Peters took a course at Athens College, Ohio. All the daughters were educated at the Wesleyan Female College, Cincinnati. Three sons are engaged at Lawrence furnace, George being manager, Charles bookkeeper, and Ptolemy storekeeper.
William H. Peters is superintendent of the ore mines at Bartles Station on the Iron Railroad for Bellefonte Iron Works Company. John Peters, Jr., is superintendent of the Car Wheel Iron Company at Petersburg. James F. Peters, the youngest son, is engaged in the insurance business in Ironton. He began five years ago and has met with success that is truly remarkable.
He now transacts four-fifths of all the business fully in this line that is done in Ironton, and perhaps there are few, if any, in the State who have, at the same time, built up such a prosperous and extensive patronage. He is also interested in the Lawrence Furnace and the Car Wheel Iron Company at Petersburg. On November 27, 1849, he married Jennie, the oldest daughter of E. J. Bird, the present superintendent of the Etna Iron Works.
The oldest daughter of our subject, Mary A. Peters, is the wife of Dr. C. H. Spahr of Jamestown, Ohio; and her sister Rebecca, is the wife of the eminent divine and vocalist, Chaplain C. C. McCabe of Chicago; Martha A. married M. S. Bartram, present auditor of Lawrence county, Ohio; and Josephine is the wife of A. B. Cole, a lawyer of Chillicothe, Ohio. Mr. John Peters can be appropriately classed among the pioneer ironmen of Southern Ohio, and he has probably built more furnaces than any other man in the State.
In the highest sense, he is a self-made man, and his life has been a great activity. He is well preserved in body and mind. He is still actively identified with the iron industry of Lawrence county, in the development of which he has been so prominently engaged. Possessed of a handsome competency, amassed by his labors, and having the record of an honest and upright man, his gentlemanly deportment gives him a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
IR Thursday, Sept. 23, 1897 – DEATH OF JOHN PETERS – Mr. John Peters, one of Ironton’s oldest and most revered citizens, died today, Wednesday, at 1 o’clock, after a severe illness of over three months. He was born in Fayette county, Penn., on February 18, 1818. He was nearly 84 years old when a lad of 19 years came to the Hanging Rock Iron Region, whereby energy and integrity, he won his way to success in business and honor in life.
During his long life in this community, he was interested in many enterprises and was one of the leading men in building up the iron industry of this region.
He was sometimes interested in a dozen or more furnaces, foundries, and mills and was a busy, provident, trusted man.
He was twice married, the second time in 1843, and this happy union was unbroken till now by his decease. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom are living, all of whom have been at his bedside during the last hours of his sickness. His daughters, Mrs. Spahr and Mrs. McCabe, wife of Bishop McCabe, have remained here in anticipation of the sad hour.
We can’t say what we desire of this good man’s life, for we stop our press from making the sorrowful announcement of his death, which will cast a gloom wherever the intelligence goes.
ISWR September 25, 1897 – Mr. John Peters Dead – Another Pioneer Citizen of Ironton Passes Away Today. – Mr. John Peters, one of the pioneer ironmasters of this region and one of the founders and original settlers of the city of Ironton, died at his home, corner of Park avenue and Eighth street, at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
His death was due to his heart trouble for the past three months. He was eighty-four years of age.
Mr. Peters was a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, but came to this county with his parents when he was a young man over sixty years ago.
He at once found employment in the furnaces and eventually became manager of Buckhorn Furnace. From then on, he was continuously identified with this county’s iron-making industry.
In 1866 he organized the Lawrence Furnace Company, which has since operated the Lawrence furnace in this county.
In managing this furnace, Mr. Peters, despite his age, took an active part in looking after affairs and, up to the time, his late illness seized him in June last, made almost daily visits to the furnace, going and returning on the Iron road trains. Always a man of great energy, activity, and industry, he held to these habits to the very end of his long life until his final illness took away his strength.
His venerable wife survives him, as also do several children. These latter are: Mr. George Peters, Mrs. Mary A. Spahr, of Jamestown, Ohio, Mrs. McCabe, wife of Bishop C. C. McCabe, Mrs. M. S. Bartram of this city, Mrs. Josephine Cole of Chillicothe, Mr. W. H. Peters of this city, Mr. Ptolemy Peters of Lawrence Furnace, Mr. John Peters, Jr., of Coal Grove, and Mr. Chas. Peters of Ironton.
Mr. Peters’s death follows close upon that of his brother, Mr. Isaac Peters, who was but a few years his junior and was also one of the pioneers of this region. He passed away on the 26th ult.
IR Apr. 27, 1876 – Maj. Chambers Baird has purchased John Peter’s residence on Fifth-st for $10,000. He proposes moving to this place, and in conjunction, the family of his son-in-law, John W. Campbell, will occupy the house. John Peters married Sarah McDaniel. Sarah died on 30 Aug 1842.
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