JOSEPH D. PETERS farmer, P. O. Alvada, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, September 16, 1823, a son of Ephraim and Anna (Thompson) Peters, natives of Virginia, where they were married and first settled; thence they moved to Belmont County, Ohio, about 1824, and from there to Jefferson County, and in 1834 moved to Hancock County, where Ephraim Peters died in 1844 ; his widow was subsequently married to John Mullen, a soldier in the late civil war, and who died in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn. ; she resides near the old home farm and was seventy-five years of age August 7, 1884. Our subject was married, September 17, 1848, to Sarah Benham, born in Wyandot County, Ohio, November 11, 1829, a daughter of William and Julia Benham (both deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Peters were the parents of four children, two now living: Josephine, wife of Daniel Shentz, and Melvina J., wife of William Furgerson ; the deceased are William and Sarah J. Mrs. Peters departed this life March 2, 1855, and Mr. Peters was married, on second occasion, November 6, 1855, to Nancy Roller, born in Hancock County, Ohio, April 4, 1837, daughter of Caleb (deceased) and Sarah Roller. To this union have been born nine children, seven now living: Ids M., Charles J., Alma K., Harry O., Anna, Ada D. and Mertie E. Emma and Rose are deceased. Mr. Peters and his family settled in Big Spring Township in 1849. He owns 250 acres improved land. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Peters enlisted, March 8, 1865, in Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out at Camp Bradford, near Baltimore, Md., August 8, 1865. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.


Trancribed by Bonnie Walsh.
WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1886
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, Part IV, p.726-727
BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP