G. L. PETERS

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Mr. G. L. Peters and Daughters

The agricultural interests of Cedar county find a worthy representative in G. L. Peters, one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Springfield township, near Lowden, on the 27th of November, 1862. He is a son of Claus and Louise (Albert) Peters, both natives of Germany, the former of Holstein and the latter of Hanover. The year 1855 witnessed their arrival in the new world, their home being established first in Illinois, while later, about 1860, they removed to Iowa and in this state continued to make their home. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, followed that pursuit in Cedar and Scott counties for a number of years but subsequently retired from active life, selling his farm to his second son and taking up his home in Clarence, where he passed away in August, 1900, at the age of seventy-four years, eleven months and ten days. His wife still survives, at the age of sixty-eight years and makes her home with her daughter in Fairfield township. In their family were five children, who are as follows: G. L., of this review ; Caroline, the widow of John Block, making her home in Long Beach, California; Fred, a retired farmer of Clarence; Minnie, the wife of William Ruther, of Fairfield township; and Henry, also a resident of this township.

G. L. Peters was a little lad of five years when his father sold the farm in Springfield township and removed to New Liberty, Scott county, and there the son spent the succeeding eight years, acquiring his education in the district schools of that county. At the expiration of that period, in 1875, the family returned to Cedar county, locating in Fairfield township, and here G. L. Peters grew to manhood. Upon entering the business world he took up farming as an occupation and was thus engaged in Fairfield township until 1905, in which year he went to Clarence and for four years successfully conducted a real-estate business in that town. Returning to Fairfield township, however, he again took up farming and has since devoted his attention to that field of labor. That he prospered in his undertaking was indicated by the fact that his farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, well improved and equipped with all modern conveniences for facilitating farm labor, became one of the valuable properties of the community. He recently sold the place and has purchased a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Pioneer township. He is ranked among the substantial and representative agriculturists of the community.

Mr. Peters was united in marriage on the 31st of March, 1887, to Miss Anna L. Lange, who was born in Illinois on the 14th of October, 1858. She was a daughter of Philip and Clara Lange, natives of Germany, the former born in Saxony and the latter in Berne, and both passed away in Cedar county. Mrs. Peters died February 24, 1904, and she left beside her husband to mourn her loss five children, as follows: Malinda, born May 14, 1888; Paulina, born September 8, 1891; Iona, born September 16, 1895; Eleanor, born October 4, 1898; and Clara, born August 29, 1900. All are natives of Fairfield township.

The religious faith of Mr. Peters is indicated in his membership in the German Evangelical church of Clarence, while his fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America, both of Tipton. His political support has been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for four years he served in various school and road offices, while at present he is a candidate for the office of county clerk. He is a strong advocate of good roads; has also done all in his power to further the efficiency and standard of the school system of the county; and is an active worker in party ranks, where his efforts have been important and influential elements. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding posts of life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellow citizens, their respect and good will being the manifestation of their appreciation for the upright and manly principles which have ever governed his life.