Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

JOHN F. PETERS

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

            The career of John F. Peters has been one of steady progress from 
its beginning.  In 1910 he purchased twenty-six acres one mile south of Yuba 
City, which had been devoted to growing market garden truck; this tract of land 
has been developed by Mr. Peters into a productive cling-peach orchard, which 
yields a fine profit in return for his labor.  He was born near Bethlehem, Pa., 
March 5, 1862, a son of Joseph and Mary Ellen (Lynn) Peters, both natives of 
Pennsylvania.  Joseph Peters served as captain of Volunteer Pennsylvania 
Infantry in the Governor�s Reserve, and was in the battles of Gettysburg and 
Antietam.  Joseph Peters was a miller by trade, and in partnership with a 
brother owned a flouring mill which was finally destroyed by fire.  He also 
worked in a slate quarry, extracting slate used for roofing, and was thus 
engaged until 1876 when he removed to Kansas and located fifteen miles from 
Topeka, where he engaged in farming for six years.  In 1883, Joseph Peters came 
West to California and at Los Angeles outfitted three wagons, drawn by mules, 
and the family started north; their destination was Oregon, but reports somewhat 
discouraged the party and in the winter of 1883 was spent near Gridley.  Joseph 
Peters made a trip into Oregon, but after three weeks returned to Gridley and 
finally settled in Sutter County, six miles south of Yuba City. Six sons were 
born to Joseph and Mary Peters:  Henry J., deceased; John F., of this sketch; 
Thomas L.; C. P.; M. S.; and Fred, deceased.  Joseph Peters passed away at Yuba 
City in 1899, his wife preceding him in 1888.
            John F. Peters began working in the harvest fields in Kansas at the 
age of fourteen years.  Then, when the family removed to California, he went 
into partnership with a brother in grain-farming and the dairy business, and for 
twenty-three years conducted the Meadow Farm Dairy. Later he sold his interest 
to his brother and invested the proceeds in orchard land, which he developed to 
cling peaches; and this property he sold thirteen years ago, and reinvested the 
money in his present orchard home place.
            The first marriage of Mr. Peters united him with Miss Nellie 
McMullen, born in Yuba County, and three sons were born to them:  Joseph, of 
Oakland; Fred L., of Yuba City; and Raymond, of Oakland.  The second marriage of 
Mr. Peters united him with Mrs. Annie (Young) Sutton, a native of Kansas, but a 
resident of California since her seventh year.  She has one son by her former 
marriage, Jesse Sutton.  Since 1888 Mr. Peters has been a member of the Yuba 
City Odd Fellows, and is Past Grand of the lodge.  He is also a Past Chief 
Patriarch of the Encampment, I.O.O.F., and is a member of the Rebekahs of Yuba 
City.  Mr. Peters is also a member of Marysville Lodge, No. 783, B.P.O.E.  In 
politics he is a Republican.  
            (Since this biography was written, Mr. Peters passed away, on August 
21, 1923.)

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p.  539-540