My Genealogy Hound

George C. Peters is the senior member of the firm of Peters & Oats, who are the proprietors of a saw-mill at Weiner, Ark., which has an extensive capacity and a forty-horse-power engine. They manufacture hardwood lumber, of all kinds, and make a specialty of wagon materials, shipping their product to Hawley, Paddock & Co., and the Missouri Car & Foundry Works, at St. Louis, Mo. They have been established in business here some little time, and, judging from the patronage they already command, they can look forward to a prosperous and successful future. Mr. Peters was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1853, and possesses the many admirable qualities which are so characteristic of natives of the “Empire State.” He was the third of five children born to Henry W. and Caroline E. (Flint) Peters, also natives of New York, and inherits English blood from his father. The latter was for many years one of the honest “sons of the soil,’’ but is now living in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., retired from the active duties of life. His children are Alfred H., who resides in Poughkeepsie, and devotes his time to literature, being a contributor to the Century and Harpers’ magazines, also other noted periodicals; Jacob O., who is married and resides on the old homestead of 400 acres, near Amenia, N. Y.; G. C.; K. E., wife of S. F. Davidson, residing in Topeka, Kas., and is chief clerk in the treasurer’s office of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, and Carrie, a twin sister of Jacob O., who resides in Poughkeepsie. George C. Peters was reared principally in the City of New York, but received the greater part of his education at Poughkeepsie, in Bisbee’s Military Academy, and after completing his course there he went to New York City, and engaged in business on Wall Street, but removed from there some time after to Topeka, Kas. (in 1874), and had charge of the Wells-Fargo Express Company, and later the Adams Express Company. In 1879 he went to San Juan County, Colo., on a prospecting tour, but soon after returned to New York, and, in 1880, went to Chicago, and until 1885 was employed in the Union Stock Yards. In the latter year he came to Harrisburg, Poinsett County, Ark., and from there moved to Weiner, where he dealt in stock until embarking in his present enterprise. He was married in 1889 to Miss Belle F. Duke, a native of Wayne County, Iowa, their marriage taking place in Poinsett County. She is a daughter of James M. and Ann E. (Scudder) Duke, and from them inherits Scotch blood. Her mother was a member of the same family as Dr. Scudder, of Chicago. Mr. Peters has seen many improvements in the county since locating, and considers this an exceptionally healthy locality. It is an excellent grazing region, and in any ordinary season will pasture stock the year round. He has 800 acres of land, which he expects soon to open to settlers; and he and his business partner have a timber tract of 240 acres. He has always been interested in schools, and, owing to his influence in District No. 2, the building is equipped with all modern improvements, and they have adopted the Harpers’ and Standard systems of books.