William was born in Georgetown, Grant, WI, 4 Jul 1854, son of William and Sophia (Hoffhauer) Peters. He had four siblings: Elizabeth, Sophia, Henry and Charles. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186923169/mary-l-peters).
According to a story that was handed down later, when William was about 12 years old, his mother told him she could no longer care for him, gave him a few clothes, and sent him out into the "world." His father William disappeared during the Civil War, presumed dead. Younger son Charles was also sent away later when he turned 12. William Francis Peters probably worked on farms for his keep. He must have worked near Pitcherville where he met Mary Pitcher, daughter of Lester and Harriet Pitcher.
By his early 20s William was living in Jo Daviess County, Illinois and in 1880 listed as living in town of Rush. Mary was 15 and William, 25, when they married. According to marriage certificate, he was a painter. William is remembered as a big man at 6 foot, 2 inches, and 185 pounds. In 1890, when William age 35, they lived in a house they built in Stockton Illinois. In 1894 a photo of Bill and probably Floyd shows them on the 'City Dray' cart in front of their house on Benton Avenue. Two white cottages across street on left belonged to Mary's mother Harriett who rented them out. In 1896 when L. D. Pitcher, Mary's father, brought telephone service to Jo Daviess County, Mary and William staked the line from Stockton to Woodbine. William and Mary had a small farm in 1900, about four acres with house, barn, well, located northeast corner of Stockton across the road from Ladies Union Cemetery. Raised pigs, had a few cows. William was village Drayman (carried heavy loads in a strong low cart), 1890-1924. He tended the old kerosene street lamps, operated a dray line, and was an iceman. He would go to the Plum River, east of Stockton, to cut ice in winter. He also played on the Stockton town baseball team, named "Leans." They played against another team named "Fats." His uniform pants, dated 1890-1905 were donated by Wendy Fjelstad to the Stockton Heritage Museum.
In the book about Stockton, Recollections After Fifty Years, by J. N. Klock, founder of the Stockton Herald newspaper, there is a description of William on page 45: 'Early Stockton had but one outstanding character and he was Bill Peters, the drayman. Bill hauled all the village freight from the railroad station to the stores and business houses. As he drove up and down the streets he was continually singing or yelling and swinging a giant whip to the rhythm of his noise. Bill had a voice as penetrating as a fog horn and as musical as a Cape Cod fishmonger. He was not only a character. He was an institution.'
William married Mary Lavinia Pitcher in 1881 and had nine children (Source: The Pitcher Book: A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Andrew Pitcher and Margaret Russell Who Settled in Milton, Massachusetts 1634-2007, p. 506-7).
Obituary: WILLIAM FRANCIS PETERS, was born at Georgetown (Smelzer), Grant County, state of Wisconsin, July 4, 1855. Died at his home, Stockton, Illinois, Feb 23, 1924, age 68 years, 7 months, 19 days. In the year of 1881 on May 25 he was united in marriage to Mary Lavina Pitcher of Pitcherville, Illinois, by the Rev. J. Jefferson of Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife and seven children, namely: Roy Adelbert, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Floyd Lester, of Stockton; Mrs. Roy Johns, of Stockton; Owen W. of Emmons, Minn.; Ralph Richard of Stockton; Mrs. Donald Eadie, of Hanover, Ill; Clarence Burdette, of Stockton. He was preceded to the Great Beyond by two children, namely Earl Clifford and Florence Mary. Also five grandchildren grieve the loss of a beloved grandfather. William Peters came to Stockton about thirty-five years ago, being one of its earliest residents. He has seen, and put forth his efforts in making the pioneer village a growing community. At all times he was a most familiar figure on our streets, welcomed by all with a cheery greeting. Never daunted, he always saw a thing through. His friends, neighbors and fellow citizens will no doubt sustain his ever honest dealings. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
According to a story that was handed down later, when William was about 12 years old, his mother told him she could no longer care for him, gave him a few clothes, and sent him out into the "world." His father William disappeared during the Civil War, presumed dead. Younger son Charles was also sent away later when he turned 12. William Francis Peters probably worked on farms for his keep. He must have worked near Pitcherville where he met Mary Pitcher, daughter of Lester and Harriet Pitcher.
By his early 20s William was living in Jo Daviess County, Illinois and in 1880 listed as living in town of Rush. Mary was 15 and William, 25, when they married. According to marriage certificate, he was a painter. William is remembered as a big man at 6 foot, 2 inches, and 185 pounds. In 1890, when William age 35, they lived in a house they built in Stockton Illinois. In 1894 a photo of Bill and probably Floyd shows them on the 'City Dray' cart in front of their house on Benton Avenue. Two white cottages across street on left belonged to Mary's mother Harriett who rented them out. In 1896 when L. D. Pitcher, Mary's father, brought telephone service to Jo Daviess County, Mary and William staked the line from Stockton to Woodbine. William and Mary had a small farm in 1900, about four acres with house, barn, well, located northeast corner of Stockton across the road from Ladies Union Cemetery. Raised pigs, had a few cows. William was village Drayman (carried heavy loads in a strong low cart), 1890-1924. He tended the old kerosene street lamps, operated a dray line, and was an iceman. He would go to the Plum River, east of Stockton, to cut ice in winter. He also played on the Stockton town baseball team, named "Leans." They played against another team named "Fats." His uniform pants, dated 1890-1905 were donated by Wendy Fjelstad to the Stockton Heritage Museum.
In the book about Stockton, Recollections After Fifty Years, by J. N. Klock, founder of the Stockton Herald newspaper, there is a description of William on page 45: 'Early Stockton had but one outstanding character and he was Bill Peters, the drayman. Bill hauled all the village freight from the railroad station to the stores and business houses. As he drove up and down the streets he was continually singing or yelling and swinging a giant whip to the rhythm of his noise. Bill had a voice as penetrating as a fog horn and as musical as a Cape Cod fishmonger. He was not only a character. He was an institution.'
William married Mary Lavinia Pitcher in 1881 and had nine children (Source: The Pitcher Book: A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Andrew Pitcher and Margaret Russell Who Settled in Milton, Massachusetts 1634-2007, p. 506-7).
Obituary: WILLIAM FRANCIS PETERS, was born at Georgetown (Smelzer), Grant County, state of Wisconsin, July 4, 1855. Died at his home, Stockton, Illinois, Feb 23, 1924, age 68 years, 7 months, 19 days. In the year of 1881 on May 25 he was united in marriage to Mary Lavina Pitcher of Pitcherville, Illinois, by the Rev. J. Jefferson of Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife and seven children, namely: Roy Adelbert, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Floyd Lester, of Stockton; Mrs. Roy Johns, of Stockton; Owen W. of Emmons, Minn.; Ralph Richard of Stockton; Mrs. Donald Eadie, of Hanover, Ill; Clarence Burdette, of Stockton. He was preceded to the Great Beyond by two children, namely Earl Clifford and Florence Mary. Also five grandchildren grieve the loss of a beloved grandfather. William Peters came to Stockton about thirty-five years ago, being one of its earliest residents. He has seen, and put forth his efforts in making the pioneer village a growing community. At all times he was a most familiar figure on our streets, welcomed by all with a cheery greeting. Never daunted, he always saw a thing through. His friends, neighbors and fellow citizens will no doubt sustain his ever honest dealings. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
William was born in Georgetown, Grant, WI, 4 Jul 1854, son of William and Sophia (Hoffhauer) Peters. He had four siblings: Elizabeth, Sophia, Henry and Charles. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186923169/mary-l-peters).
According to a story that was handed down later, when William was about 12 years old, his mother told him she could no longer care for him, gave him a few clothes, and sent him out into the "world." His father William disappeared during the Civil War, presumed dead. Younger son Charles was also sent away later when he turned 12. William Francis Peters probably worked on farms for his keep. He must have worked near Pitcherville where he met Mary Pitcher, daughter of Lester and Harriet Pitcher.
By his early 20s William was living in Jo Daviess County, Illinois and in 1880 listed as living in town of Rush. Mary was 15 and William, 25, when they married. According to marriage certificate, he was a painter. William is remembered as a big man at 6 foot, 2 inches, and 185 pounds. In 1890, when William age 35, they lived in a house they built in Stockton Illinois. In 1894 a photo of Bill and probably Floyd shows them on the 'City Dray' cart in front of their house on Benton Avenue. Two white cottages across street on left belonged to Mary's mother Harriett who rented them out. In 1896 when L. D. Pitcher, Mary's father, brought telephone service to Jo Daviess County, Mary and William staked the line from Stockton to Woodbine. William and Mary had a small farm in 1900, about four acres with house, barn, well, located northeast corner of Stockton across the road from Ladies Union Cemetery. Raised pigs, had a few cows. William was village Drayman (carried heavy loads in a strong low cart), 1890-1924. He tended the old kerosene street lamps, operated a dray line, and was an iceman. He would go to the Plum River, east of Stockton, to cut ice in winter. He also played on the Stockton town baseball team, named "Leans." They played against another team named "Fats." His uniform pants, dated 1890-1905 were donated by Wendy Fjelstad to the Stockton Heritage Museum.
In the book about Stockton, Recollections After Fifty Years, by J. N. Klock, founder of the Stockton Herald newspaper, there is a description of William on page 45: 'Early Stockton had but one outstanding character and he was Bill Peters, the drayman. Bill hauled all the village freight from the railroad station to the stores and business houses. As he drove up and down the streets he was continually singing or yelling and swinging a giant whip to the rhythm of his noise. Bill had a voice as penetrating as a fog horn and as musical as a Cape Cod fishmonger. He was not only a character. He was an institution.'
William married Mary Lavinia Pitcher in 1881 and had nine children (Source: The Pitcher Book: A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Andrew Pitcher and Margaret Russell Who Settled in Milton, Massachusetts 1634-2007, p. 506-7).
Obituary: WILLIAM FRANCIS PETERS, was born at Georgetown (Smelzer), Grant County, state of Wisconsin, July 4, 1855. Died at his home, Stockton, Illinois, Feb 23, 1924, age 68 years, 7 months, 19 days. In the year of 1881 on May 25 he was united in marriage to Mary Lavina Pitcher of Pitcherville, Illinois, by the Rev. J. Jefferson of Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife and seven children, namely: Roy Adelbert, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Floyd Lester, of Stockton; Mrs. Roy Johns, of Stockton; Owen W. of Emmons, Minn.; Ralph Richard of Stockton; Mrs. Donald Eadie, of Hanover, Ill; Clarence Burdette, of Stockton. He was preceded to the Great Beyond by two children, namely Earl Clifford and Florence Mary. Also five grandchildren grieve the loss of a beloved grandfather. William Peters came to Stockton about thirty-five years ago, being one of its earliest residents. He has seen, and put forth his efforts in making the pioneer village a growing community. At all times he was a most familiar figure on our streets, welcomed by all with a cheery greeting. Never daunted, he always saw a thing through. His friends, neighbors and fellow citizens will no doubt sustain his ever honest dealings. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
According to a story that was handed down later, when William was about 12 years old, his mother told him she could no longer care for him, gave him a few clothes, and sent him out into the "world." His father William disappeared during the Civil War, presumed dead. Younger son Charles was also sent away later when he turned 12. William Francis Peters probably worked on farms for his keep. He must have worked near Pitcherville where he met Mary Pitcher, daughter of Lester and Harriet Pitcher.
By his early 20s William was living in Jo Daviess County, Illinois and in 1880 listed as living in town of Rush. Mary was 15 and William, 25, when they married. According to marriage certificate, he was a painter. William is remembered as a big man at 6 foot, 2 inches, and 185 pounds. In 1890, when William age 35, they lived in a house they built in Stockton Illinois. In 1894 a photo of Bill and probably Floyd shows them on the 'City Dray' cart in front of their house on Benton Avenue. Two white cottages across street on left belonged to Mary's mother Harriett who rented them out. In 1896 when L. D. Pitcher, Mary's father, brought telephone service to Jo Daviess County, Mary and William staked the line from Stockton to Woodbine. William and Mary had a small farm in 1900, about four acres with house, barn, well, located northeast corner of Stockton across the road from Ladies Union Cemetery. Raised pigs, had a few cows. William was village Drayman (carried heavy loads in a strong low cart), 1890-1924. He tended the old kerosene street lamps, operated a dray line, and was an iceman. He would go to the Plum River, east of Stockton, to cut ice in winter. He also played on the Stockton town baseball team, named "Leans." They played against another team named "Fats." His uniform pants, dated 1890-1905 were donated by Wendy Fjelstad to the Stockton Heritage Museum.
In the book about Stockton, Recollections After Fifty Years, by J. N. Klock, founder of the Stockton Herald newspaper, there is a description of William on page 45: 'Early Stockton had but one outstanding character and he was Bill Peters, the drayman. Bill hauled all the village freight from the railroad station to the stores and business houses. As he drove up and down the streets he was continually singing or yelling and swinging a giant whip to the rhythm of his noise. Bill had a voice as penetrating as a fog horn and as musical as a Cape Cod fishmonger. He was not only a character. He was an institution.'
William married Mary Lavinia Pitcher in 1881 and had nine children (Source: The Pitcher Book: A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Andrew Pitcher and Margaret Russell Who Settled in Milton, Massachusetts 1634-2007, p. 506-7).
Obituary: WILLIAM FRANCIS PETERS, was born at Georgetown (Smelzer), Grant County, state of Wisconsin, July 4, 1855. Died at his home, Stockton, Illinois, Feb 23, 1924, age 68 years, 7 months, 19 days. In the year of 1881 on May 25 he was united in marriage to Mary Lavina Pitcher of Pitcherville, Illinois, by the Rev. J. Jefferson of Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife and seven children, namely: Roy Adelbert, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Floyd Lester, of Stockton; Mrs. Roy Johns, of Stockton; Owen W. of Emmons, Minn.; Ralph Richard of Stockton; Mrs. Donald Eadie, of Hanover, Ill; Clarence Burdette, of Stockton. He was preceded to the Great Beyond by two children, namely Earl Clifford and Florence Mary. Also five grandchildren grieve the loss of a beloved grandfather. William Peters came to Stockton about thirty-five years ago, being one of its earliest residents. He has seen, and put forth his efforts in making the pioneer village a growing community. At all times he was a most familiar figure on our streets, welcomed by all with a cheery greeting. Never daunted, he always saw a thing through. His friends, neighbors and fellow citizens will no doubt sustain his ever honest dealings. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
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