JOHN T. PETERS. - Among the men of enterprise of Springfield who have been prominent in public affairs in connection with matters of state and also with business interests upon which rest the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of the community, stands John T. Peters. He was born in Whitehall, Greene county, Illinois, June 20, 1844, a son of Elihu McKendree and Ann (Condell) Peters, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ireland, whence she came to the United States during her early girlhood, her parents settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Peters removed from Virginia to Kentucky and ultimately to this state, taking up his abode at Whitehall. A farmer by occupation he also devoted his attention to the work of the church as a Methodist minister and labored earnestly and effectively for the moral as well as the material upbuilding of the community with which he was identified. He passed away in 1848 at the early age of thirty-six years, and his loss was deeply regretted by friends and neighbors as well as his immediate family. His wife passed away in 1892, having long survived him.

John T. Peters, who was one of a family of three children, was born upon a farm, but was only four years of age when he came with his mother to Springfield in 1848, and has since made this city his home. After attending the public schools until fourteen years of age he spent some time as a student at the Illinois College of Springfield, now the Lutheran Concordia College. He entered upon his business career in the humble capacity of a clerk in the Condell drygoods store of Springfield, where he remained for four years, when he entered a more lucrative position as ticket agent in the office of the Wabash Railroad at Springfield. In 1864 he was cashier in the United States mustering and dispersing department, and in 1868 he was made the teller of the Marine Bank of Springfield. The following year he was appointed chief clerk in the office of the state auditor and during his eight years' incumbency no reproach was ever uttered against him because of lack of capability or infidelity. So true and loyal was he to the interests of the commonwealth that he was retained in the office of assistant treasurer of Illinois through different administrations for fourteen years. After his retirement from office he made a trip to the old world, visiting England, France, Germany and many other points of modern and historical interest. His sojourn abroad covered several months and then he returned to his native land. Here in 1892 he became interested in the Sattley Manufacturing Company, of which he is today one of the largest stockholders and its vice-president. This enterprise has become an important one in industrial life in Springfield and returns to the owners a very gratifying income.

Mr. Petes was appointed by Governor Tanner to the position of secretary of the state board of public charities and served for two and one-half years. He is a Master Mason and also belongs to St. Paul's Lodge, No. 458, I.O.O.F. His commodious residence is pleasantly situated on South Seventh street, where he is living with his wife, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Mary R. Lamb, her parents being William and Lucy Lamb. Mr. Peters has the regard of the public, having won the respect of all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact.