Biography of the Peter Family. Biographical History of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper,Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski Counties, Indiana. 1899, page 139-143]
THE PETER FAMILY
In Tippecanoe and Clinton counties, Indiana, there is perhaps not a family better known or more highly respected than the Peter family. They spring from sturdy German ancestry, their forefathers being among the primitive settlers of Pennsylvania and known as Pennsylvania Dutch.
William Peter, the original pioneer of Indiana, was born in Pennsylvania, in the town of Lehigh, in the year 1780. He was a farmer and wagon maker, and married Julia Ann Kerniri, or Kern as the name was finally spelled. She also was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and on her mother's side descended from the Bear family. Lehigh county was her native place. Her parents' names are not remembered, but she had two brothers, Nicholas and Christopher, and a sister, Sarah, who married a Mr. Jacoby.
William Peter, and wife settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on a farm. In 1817 they moved to Butler county, Ohio, where they settled in the fall of that year, the journey being made with horses and wagons. He bought land, prospered and finally became the owner of four hundred acres, which he sold at a fair price for those days, and in the fall of 1832 moved to Indiana and settled in Ross township, Clinton county, on the line between that county and Tippecanoe. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, on which were slight improvements, and subsequently he bought and entered more land in these counties until he owned about three thousand and three hundred acres. He was a man of remarkable perseverance and energy, and his foresight and sagacity enabled him to see the great advantage of securing land for his children. Few of the pioneers in this part of Indiana were better known .than he. He was a member of the German Reformed church and an elder in the same for many years.
The following family record was translated by Rev. Zimmerman from his old German family Bible, which was printed at Basle, Switzerland, in 1798: William Peter, married August 8, 1802, to Julia Ann Kernin, by Rev. Stobrech. Children: William Peter, born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1803, baptized in Lutheran church October 30, 1803. Witnesses: William Peter and wife. Henry Peter, born September 3, 1804; baptized September 30, 1804. Witnesses: Henry Peter and Susannah, his wife. Leah Peter, born March 12, 1806; baptized April 4, 1806. Witnesses: Nicholas Kern and wife, Hannah. Daniel Peter, born September 5, 1807; baptized September 21, 1807. Witnesses: John Kern and his wife. Jonathan Peter, born March 8, 1809; baptized April 3, 1809. Witnesses: Jacob Holwig and his wife, Elizabeth. John Adam Peter, born May 26, 1810; baptized July 1, 1810. Witnesses: Johanis Kern and his wife, nee Mary Peter. Mary Peter, born August 26, 1811; baptized September 29, 1811. Witnesses: Jacob and Mary Miller. Susan Peter, born March 27, 1814; baptized May 19, 1814. Witnesses: Jacob Kern and his wife, Susannah. Emanuel Peter, born February 19, 1816; baptized March 31, 1816. Witnesses: Joseph Peter and Susannah Kern. (All the above named were born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania.) Elias Peter, born August 21, 1817; baptized September 21, 1817. Witnesses: Henry Jacoby and Salomi, his wife. Reuben Peter, born December 1, 1820; baptized April 1, 1822. Witnesses: Daniel Schmidt and Mary, his wife. Joseph Peter, born February 18, 1823. Witnesses to baptism: Ludwig Gewel and Elizabeth, his wife. Elizabeth Peter, born September 20, 1824. Witnesses to baptism: John Jacoby and Elizabeth, his wife. William Peter, Sr., died in Ross township, Clinton county, Indiana, July 23, 1837, at about the age of fifty seven years."
Daniel Peter, one of the above named sons, received the limited common-school education of his day and came west with his parents to Butler county Ohio, in the fall of 1817. He came to Indiana in 1831, to inspect the land, and became a farmer and lumber man. The following year, 1832, he accompanied his parents to Clinton county, this state, and in 1833 settled on two hundred and forty acres of land in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, which was given him by his father. He cleared up his farm from the woods, and built a dam on the middle fork of Wild-cat creek, on his property. That was in 1833 or '34, and this mill, both saw and grist, was the second mill in Perry township. The gristmill was a very primitive affair. The stones were "nigger heads" which they found in the vicinity and dressed up, making fairly good millstones. The flour was bolted by hand. Mr. Peter did a good business for those days. He hauled his flour and lumber to Michigan City and Chicago and there exchanged it for salt and other merchandise, which he sold to his neighbors. These trips would occupy several days and were made with huge Pennsylvania wagons drawn by horses, and at night he would camp out by the roadside. Chicago and Michigan City were the only 'points where merchandise could be obtained. Daniel Peter was a prominent and successful pioneer and had the respect of all who knew him. He married Mary Burkhalter, and theirs was the second marriage in Perry township, Tippecanoe county. She was born September 9, 1812, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Beery) Burkhalter Peter Burkhalter moved from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Butler county, Ohio, and thence with the Peter family to Tippecanoe county, Indiana. (Further mention of him will be found in the sketch of William Burkhalter in this work.)
Daniel Peter and wife were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. The following record is copied from the family Bible: William, born May, 1834; Eliza Ann, July 13, 1835; Henry, September 25, 1836; Catherine, May 5, 1838; Elizabeth, July 29, 1839; Daniel, December 12, 1840; Eli, February 8, 1842; Nicholas, September 8, 1843; Calvin, November 25, 1848, and Irvin, December 6, 1855 "all born at the homestead where Horace Hoffman now lives in Perry township.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter were members of the German Reformed church and were liberal supporters of the same. Also they contributed liberally to the support as well as erection of the different churches in the township. Mr. Peter donated a tract of land, from his farm, for a Methodist church. This was a hewed log house and in it the meetings of the pioneer Methodists were held for many years. In early life Mr. Peter was a Democrat, but became a Republican upon the organization of that party. He had two sons in the civil war, Daniel V. and Eli. The former was in the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Battery, in the three years service, and the latter, also in the three years service, was a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died of .measles, in hospital at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865.
Mr. Peter was a substantial pioneer farmer and business man, noted for his integrity and upright character, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. The substantial brick residence on his farm he built in 1859.
Calvin Peter, whose post office address is Monitor, Indiana, and whose birth is above recorded, is a worthy representative of this well known family and ranks as one of the respected citizens of Perry township. He was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. At about the age of thirty years he was married, in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, to Miss Loretta Weaver, their marriage being consummated on the 9th of September, 1879. Loretta Weaver was born in Tippecanoe county, in the township of Perry, September 9, 1861, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Barnhart) Weaver, and her father, also a native of this township, was a son of John and Catherine (Horner) Weaver. John Weaver was a Pennsylvanian. He married, in Ohio, Catherine Horner, and they were among the early pioneers of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, their settlement being on the north fork of Wildcat creek, where he engaged in farming. Their children were 'Samuel, Charles, Joseph, Mary R., Rebecca and Hannah, who lived to reach adult years. Mr. Weaver had a good farm of two hundred acres, which he cleared from the woods adjoining the village of Pettit. He was a member of the German Baptist church, and was an industrious, hard-working pioneer. He died on his farm at the age of sixty nine years, February 18, 1873. Samuel Weaver and wife, married January 18, 1855, settled on the John Weaver homestead, lived there a few years and thence removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana. At the end of the next three years they returned to the home farm, a portion of which he finally inherited. After living there a number of years he moved to Berrien county, Michigan, where he died at-about the age of fifty one years. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and was a man well known for his kindness of heart and his honest, straightforward manner in all the relations of life. His children were Alpheus A., Alice L., Loretta, Elder E. and Orphie.
Mr. Calvin Peter and wife soon after marriage settled on their present farm, which is a part of his father's homestead, and here he has eighty acres of choice land well improved. By industry and good management he has prospered, and he enjoys the reputation of being one of the practical farmers of his locality. His children are Earl W., Otis C.t Elsie L. and Iva Jean. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and politically he is a Republican.
In conclusion, we refer briefly to Mrs. Calvin Peter's grandfather, John Barnhart. He was of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock, born in Pennsylvania, and was by trade a carpenter. He married, in Ohio, Barbara Swilger, who was likewise of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and born in Ohio. They continued to live there for some years, until the fall of 1849, when they came over into Indiana and settled at Dayton, Tippecanoe county, and in this county they passed the rest of their days. Mr. Barnhart died in Lafayette, at the age of seventy four years, January 16, 1873, a member of the United Brethren church and a man of sterling integrity. His children were Henry, Jerre, William, Mary Levina and Elizabeth
THE PETER FAMILY
In Tippecanoe and Clinton counties, Indiana, there is perhaps not a family better known or more highly respected than the Peter family. They spring from sturdy German ancestry, their forefathers being among the primitive settlers of Pennsylvania and known as Pennsylvania Dutch.
William Peter, the original pioneer of Indiana, was born in Pennsylvania, in the town of Lehigh, in the year 1780. He was a farmer and wagon maker, and married Julia Ann Kerniri, or Kern as the name was finally spelled. She also was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and on her mother's side descended from the Bear family. Lehigh county was her native place. Her parents' names are not remembered, but she had two brothers, Nicholas and Christopher, and a sister, Sarah, who married a Mr. Jacoby.
William Peter, and wife settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on a farm. In 1817 they moved to Butler county, Ohio, where they settled in the fall of that year, the journey being made with horses and wagons. He bought land, prospered and finally became the owner of four hundred acres, which he sold at a fair price for those days, and in the fall of 1832 moved to Indiana and settled in Ross township, Clinton county, on the line between that county and Tippecanoe. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, on which were slight improvements, and subsequently he bought and entered more land in these counties until he owned about three thousand and three hundred acres. He was a man of remarkable perseverance and energy, and his foresight and sagacity enabled him to see the great advantage of securing land for his children. Few of the pioneers in this part of Indiana were better known .than he. He was a member of the German Reformed church and an elder in the same for many years.
The following family record was translated by Rev. Zimmerman from his old German family Bible, which was printed at Basle, Switzerland, in 1798: William Peter, married August 8, 1802, to Julia Ann Kernin, by Rev. Stobrech. Children: William Peter, born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1803, baptized in Lutheran church October 30, 1803. Witnesses: William Peter and wife. Henry Peter, born September 3, 1804; baptized September 30, 1804. Witnesses: Henry Peter and Susannah, his wife. Leah Peter, born March 12, 1806; baptized April 4, 1806. Witnesses: Nicholas Kern and wife, Hannah. Daniel Peter, born September 5, 1807; baptized September 21, 1807. Witnesses: John Kern and his wife. Jonathan Peter, born March 8, 1809; baptized April 3, 1809. Witnesses: Jacob Holwig and his wife, Elizabeth. John Adam Peter, born May 26, 1810; baptized July 1, 1810. Witnesses: Johanis Kern and his wife, nee Mary Peter. Mary Peter, born August 26, 1811; baptized September 29, 1811. Witnesses: Jacob and Mary Miller. Susan Peter, born March 27, 1814; baptized May 19, 1814. Witnesses: Jacob Kern and his wife, Susannah. Emanuel Peter, born February 19, 1816; baptized March 31, 1816. Witnesses: Joseph Peter and Susannah Kern. (All the above named were born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania.) Elias Peter, born August 21, 1817; baptized September 21, 1817. Witnesses: Henry Jacoby and Salomi, his wife. Reuben Peter, born December 1, 1820; baptized April 1, 1822. Witnesses: Daniel Schmidt and Mary, his wife. Joseph Peter, born February 18, 1823. Witnesses to baptism: Ludwig Gewel and Elizabeth, his wife. Elizabeth Peter, born September 20, 1824. Witnesses to baptism: John Jacoby and Elizabeth, his wife. William Peter, Sr., died in Ross township, Clinton county, Indiana, July 23, 1837, at about the age of fifty seven years."
Daniel Peter, one of the above named sons, received the limited common-school education of his day and came west with his parents to Butler county Ohio, in the fall of 1817. He came to Indiana in 1831, to inspect the land, and became a farmer and lumber man. The following year, 1832, he accompanied his parents to Clinton county, this state, and in 1833 settled on two hundred and forty acres of land in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, which was given him by his father. He cleared up his farm from the woods, and built a dam on the middle fork of Wild-cat creek, on his property. That was in 1833 or '34, and this mill, both saw and grist, was the second mill in Perry township. The gristmill was a very primitive affair. The stones were "nigger heads" which they found in the vicinity and dressed up, making fairly good millstones. The flour was bolted by hand. Mr. Peter did a good business for those days. He hauled his flour and lumber to Michigan City and Chicago and there exchanged it for salt and other merchandise, which he sold to his neighbors. These trips would occupy several days and were made with huge Pennsylvania wagons drawn by horses, and at night he would camp out by the roadside. Chicago and Michigan City were the only 'points where merchandise could be obtained. Daniel Peter was a prominent and successful pioneer and had the respect of all who knew him. He married Mary Burkhalter, and theirs was the second marriage in Perry township, Tippecanoe county. She was born September 9, 1812, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Beery) Burkhalter Peter Burkhalter moved from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Butler county, Ohio, and thence with the Peter family to Tippecanoe county, Indiana. (Further mention of him will be found in the sketch of William Burkhalter in this work.)
Daniel Peter and wife were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. The following record is copied from the family Bible: William, born May, 1834; Eliza Ann, July 13, 1835; Henry, September 25, 1836; Catherine, May 5, 1838; Elizabeth, July 29, 1839; Daniel, December 12, 1840; Eli, February 8, 1842; Nicholas, September 8, 1843; Calvin, November 25, 1848, and Irvin, December 6, 1855 "all born at the homestead where Horace Hoffman now lives in Perry township.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter were members of the German Reformed church and were liberal supporters of the same. Also they contributed liberally to the support as well as erection of the different churches in the township. Mr. Peter donated a tract of land, from his farm, for a Methodist church. This was a hewed log house and in it the meetings of the pioneer Methodists were held for many years. In early life Mr. Peter was a Democrat, but became a Republican upon the organization of that party. He had two sons in the civil war, Daniel V. and Eli. The former was in the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Battery, in the three years service, and the latter, also in the three years service, was a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died of .measles, in hospital at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865.
Mr. Peter was a substantial pioneer farmer and business man, noted for his integrity and upright character, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. The substantial brick residence on his farm he built in 1859.
Calvin Peter, whose post office address is Monitor, Indiana, and whose birth is above recorded, is a worthy representative of this well known family and ranks as one of the respected citizens of Perry township. He was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. At about the age of thirty years he was married, in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, to Miss Loretta Weaver, their marriage being consummated on the 9th of September, 1879. Loretta Weaver was born in Tippecanoe county, in the township of Perry, September 9, 1861, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Barnhart) Weaver, and her father, also a native of this township, was a son of John and Catherine (Horner) Weaver. John Weaver was a Pennsylvanian. He married, in Ohio, Catherine Horner, and they were among the early pioneers of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, their settlement being on the north fork of Wildcat creek, where he engaged in farming. Their children were 'Samuel, Charles, Joseph, Mary R., Rebecca and Hannah, who lived to reach adult years. Mr. Weaver had a good farm of two hundred acres, which he cleared from the woods adjoining the village of Pettit. He was a member of the German Baptist church, and was an industrious, hard-working pioneer. He died on his farm at the age of sixty nine years, February 18, 1873. Samuel Weaver and wife, married January 18, 1855, settled on the John Weaver homestead, lived there a few years and thence removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana. At the end of the next three years they returned to the home farm, a portion of which he finally inherited. After living there a number of years he moved to Berrien county, Michigan, where he died at-about the age of fifty one years. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and was a man well known for his kindness of heart and his honest, straightforward manner in all the relations of life. His children were Alpheus A., Alice L., Loretta, Elder E. and Orphie.
Mr. Calvin Peter and wife soon after marriage settled on their present farm, which is a part of his father's homestead, and here he has eighty acres of choice land well improved. By industry and good management he has prospered, and he enjoys the reputation of being one of the practical farmers of his locality. His children are Earl W., Otis C.t Elsie L. and Iva Jean. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and politically he is a Republican.
In conclusion, we refer briefly to Mrs. Calvin Peter's grandfather, John Barnhart. He was of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock, born in Pennsylvania, and was by trade a carpenter. He married, in Ohio, Barbara Swilger, who was likewise of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and born in Ohio. They continued to live there for some years, until the fall of 1849, when they came over into Indiana and settled at Dayton, Tippecanoe county, and in this county they passed the rest of their days. Mr. Barnhart died in Lafayette, at the age of seventy four years, January 16, 1873, a member of the United Brethren church and a man of sterling integrity. His children were Henry, Jerre, William, Mary Levina and Elizabeth
Biography of the Peter Family. Biographical History of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper,Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski Counties, Indiana. 1899, page 139-143]
THE PETER FAMILY
In Tippecanoe and Clinton counties, Indiana, there is perhaps not a family better known or more highly respected than the Peter family. They spring from sturdy German ancestry, their forefathers being among the primitive settlers of Pennsylvania and known as Pennsylvania Dutch.
William Peter, the original pioneer of Indiana, was born in Pennsylvania, in the town of Lehigh, in the year 1780. He was a farmer and wagon maker, and married Julia Ann Kerniri, or Kern as the name was finally spelled. She also was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and on her mother's side descended from the Bear family. Lehigh county was her native place. Her parents' names are not remembered, but she had two brothers, Nicholas and Christopher, and a sister, Sarah, who married a Mr. Jacoby.
William Peter, and wife settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on a farm. In 1817 they moved to Butler county, Ohio, where they settled in the fall of that year, the journey being made with horses and wagons. He bought land, prospered and finally became the owner of four hundred acres, which he sold at a fair price for those days, and in the fall of 1832 moved to Indiana and settled in Ross township, Clinton county, on the line between that county and Tippecanoe. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, on which were slight improvements, and subsequently he bought and entered more land in these counties until he owned about three thousand and three hundred acres. He was a man of remarkable perseverance and energy, and his foresight and sagacity enabled him to see the great advantage of securing land for his children. Few of the pioneers in this part of Indiana were better known .than he. He was a member of the German Reformed church and an elder in the same for many years.
The following family record was translated by Rev. Zimmerman from his old German family Bible, which was printed at Basle, Switzerland, in 1798: William Peter, married August 8, 1802, to Julia Ann Kernin, by Rev. Stobrech. Children: William Peter, born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1803, baptized in Lutheran church October 30, 1803. Witnesses: William Peter and wife. Henry Peter, born September 3, 1804; baptized September 30, 1804. Witnesses: Henry Peter and Susannah, his wife. Leah Peter, born March 12, 1806; baptized April 4, 1806. Witnesses: Nicholas Kern and wife, Hannah. Daniel Peter, born September 5, 1807; baptized September 21, 1807. Witnesses: John Kern and his wife. Jonathan Peter, born March 8, 1809; baptized April 3, 1809. Witnesses: Jacob Holwig and his wife, Elizabeth. John Adam Peter, born May 26, 1810; baptized July 1, 1810. Witnesses: Johanis Kern and his wife, nee Mary Peter. Mary Peter, born August 26, 1811; baptized September 29, 1811. Witnesses: Jacob and Mary Miller. Susan Peter, born March 27, 1814; baptized May 19, 1814. Witnesses: Jacob Kern and his wife, Susannah. Emanuel Peter, born February 19, 1816; baptized March 31, 1816. Witnesses: Joseph Peter and Susannah Kern. (All the above named were born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania.) Elias Peter, born August 21, 1817; baptized September 21, 1817. Witnesses: Henry Jacoby and Salomi, his wife. Reuben Peter, born December 1, 1820; baptized April 1, 1822. Witnesses: Daniel Schmidt and Mary, his wife. Joseph Peter, born February 18, 1823. Witnesses to baptism: Ludwig Gewel and Elizabeth, his wife. Elizabeth Peter, born September 20, 1824. Witnesses to baptism: John Jacoby and Elizabeth, his wife. William Peter, Sr., died in Ross township, Clinton county, Indiana, July 23, 1837, at about the age of fifty seven years."
Daniel Peter, one of the above named sons, received the limited common-school education of his day and came west with his parents to Butler county Ohio, in the fall of 1817. He came to Indiana in 1831, to inspect the land, and became a farmer and lumber man. The following year, 1832, he accompanied his parents to Clinton county, this state, and in 1833 settled on two hundred and forty acres of land in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, which was given him by his father. He cleared up his farm from the woods, and built a dam on the middle fork of Wild-cat creek, on his property. That was in 1833 or '34, and this mill, both saw and grist, was the second mill in Perry township. The gristmill was a very primitive affair. The stones were "nigger heads" which they found in the vicinity and dressed up, making fairly good millstones. The flour was bolted by hand. Mr. Peter did a good business for those days. He hauled his flour and lumber to Michigan City and Chicago and there exchanged it for salt and other merchandise, which he sold to his neighbors. These trips would occupy several days and were made with huge Pennsylvania wagons drawn by horses, and at night he would camp out by the roadside. Chicago and Michigan City were the only 'points where merchandise could be obtained. Daniel Peter was a prominent and successful pioneer and had the respect of all who knew him. He married Mary Burkhalter, and theirs was the second marriage in Perry township, Tippecanoe county. She was born September 9, 1812, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Beery) Burkhalter Peter Burkhalter moved from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Butler county, Ohio, and thence with the Peter family to Tippecanoe county, Indiana. (Further mention of him will be found in the sketch of William Burkhalter in this work.)
Daniel Peter and wife were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. The following record is copied from the family Bible: William, born May, 1834; Eliza Ann, July 13, 1835; Henry, September 25, 1836; Catherine, May 5, 1838; Elizabeth, July 29, 1839; Daniel, December 12, 1840; Eli, February 8, 1842; Nicholas, September 8, 1843; Calvin, November 25, 1848, and Irvin, December 6, 1855 "all born at the homestead where Horace Hoffman now lives in Perry township.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter were members of the German Reformed church and were liberal supporters of the same. Also they contributed liberally to the support as well as erection of the different churches in the township. Mr. Peter donated a tract of land, from his farm, for a Methodist church. This was a hewed log house and in it the meetings of the pioneer Methodists were held for many years. In early life Mr. Peter was a Democrat, but became a Republican upon the organization of that party. He had two sons in the civil war, Daniel V. and Eli. The former was in the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Battery, in the three years service, and the latter, also in the three years service, was a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died of .measles, in hospital at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865.
Mr. Peter was a substantial pioneer farmer and business man, noted for his integrity and upright character, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. The substantial brick residence on his farm he built in 1859.
Calvin Peter, whose post office address is Monitor, Indiana, and whose birth is above recorded, is a worthy representative of this well known family and ranks as one of the respected citizens of Perry township. He was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. At about the age of thirty years he was married, in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, to Miss Loretta Weaver, their marriage being consummated on the 9th of September, 1879. Loretta Weaver was born in Tippecanoe county, in the township of Perry, September 9, 1861, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Barnhart) Weaver, and her father, also a native of this township, was a son of John and Catherine (Horner) Weaver. John Weaver was a Pennsylvanian. He married, in Ohio, Catherine Horner, and they were among the early pioneers of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, their settlement being on the north fork of Wildcat creek, where he engaged in farming. Their children were 'Samuel, Charles, Joseph, Mary R., Rebecca and Hannah, who lived to reach adult years. Mr. Weaver had a good farm of two hundred acres, which he cleared from the woods adjoining the village of Pettit. He was a member of the German Baptist church, and was an industrious, hard-working pioneer. He died on his farm at the age of sixty nine years, February 18, 1873. Samuel Weaver and wife, married January 18, 1855, settled on the John Weaver homestead, lived there a few years and thence removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana. At the end of the next three years they returned to the home farm, a portion of which he finally inherited. After living there a number of years he moved to Berrien county, Michigan, where he died at-about the age of fifty one years. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and was a man well known for his kindness of heart and his honest, straightforward manner in all the relations of life. His children were Alpheus A., Alice L., Loretta, Elder E. and Orphie.
Mr. Calvin Peter and wife soon after marriage settled on their present farm, which is a part of his father's homestead, and here he has eighty acres of choice land well improved. By industry and good management he has prospered, and he enjoys the reputation of being one of the practical farmers of his locality. His children are Earl W., Otis C.t Elsie L. and Iva Jean. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and politically he is a Republican.
In conclusion, we refer briefly to Mrs. Calvin Peter's grandfather, John Barnhart. He was of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock, born in Pennsylvania, and was by trade a carpenter. He married, in Ohio, Barbara Swilger, who was likewise of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and born in Ohio. They continued to live there for some years, until the fall of 1849, when they came over into Indiana and settled at Dayton, Tippecanoe county, and in this county they passed the rest of their days. Mr. Barnhart died in Lafayette, at the age of seventy four years, January 16, 1873, a member of the United Brethren church and a man of sterling integrity. His children were Henry, Jerre, William, Mary Levina and Elizabeth
THE PETER FAMILY
In Tippecanoe and Clinton counties, Indiana, there is perhaps not a family better known or more highly respected than the Peter family. They spring from sturdy German ancestry, their forefathers being among the primitive settlers of Pennsylvania and known as Pennsylvania Dutch.
William Peter, the original pioneer of Indiana, was born in Pennsylvania, in the town of Lehigh, in the year 1780. He was a farmer and wagon maker, and married Julia Ann Kerniri, or Kern as the name was finally spelled. She also was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and on her mother's side descended from the Bear family. Lehigh county was her native place. Her parents' names are not remembered, but she had two brothers, Nicholas and Christopher, and a sister, Sarah, who married a Mr. Jacoby.
William Peter, and wife settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on a farm. In 1817 they moved to Butler county, Ohio, where they settled in the fall of that year, the journey being made with horses and wagons. He bought land, prospered and finally became the owner of four hundred acres, which he sold at a fair price for those days, and in the fall of 1832 moved to Indiana and settled in Ross township, Clinton county, on the line between that county and Tippecanoe. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, on which were slight improvements, and subsequently he bought and entered more land in these counties until he owned about three thousand and three hundred acres. He was a man of remarkable perseverance and energy, and his foresight and sagacity enabled him to see the great advantage of securing land for his children. Few of the pioneers in this part of Indiana were better known .than he. He was a member of the German Reformed church and an elder in the same for many years.
The following family record was translated by Rev. Zimmerman from his old German family Bible, which was printed at Basle, Switzerland, in 1798: William Peter, married August 8, 1802, to Julia Ann Kernin, by Rev. Stobrech. Children: William Peter, born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1803, baptized in Lutheran church October 30, 1803. Witnesses: William Peter and wife. Henry Peter, born September 3, 1804; baptized September 30, 1804. Witnesses: Henry Peter and Susannah, his wife. Leah Peter, born March 12, 1806; baptized April 4, 1806. Witnesses: Nicholas Kern and wife, Hannah. Daniel Peter, born September 5, 1807; baptized September 21, 1807. Witnesses: John Kern and his wife. Jonathan Peter, born March 8, 1809; baptized April 3, 1809. Witnesses: Jacob Holwig and his wife, Elizabeth. John Adam Peter, born May 26, 1810; baptized July 1, 1810. Witnesses: Johanis Kern and his wife, nee Mary Peter. Mary Peter, born August 26, 1811; baptized September 29, 1811. Witnesses: Jacob and Mary Miller. Susan Peter, born March 27, 1814; baptized May 19, 1814. Witnesses: Jacob Kern and his wife, Susannah. Emanuel Peter, born February 19, 1816; baptized March 31, 1816. Witnesses: Joseph Peter and Susannah Kern. (All the above named were born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania.) Elias Peter, born August 21, 1817; baptized September 21, 1817. Witnesses: Henry Jacoby and Salomi, his wife. Reuben Peter, born December 1, 1820; baptized April 1, 1822. Witnesses: Daniel Schmidt and Mary, his wife. Joseph Peter, born February 18, 1823. Witnesses to baptism: Ludwig Gewel and Elizabeth, his wife. Elizabeth Peter, born September 20, 1824. Witnesses to baptism: John Jacoby and Elizabeth, his wife. William Peter, Sr., died in Ross township, Clinton county, Indiana, July 23, 1837, at about the age of fifty seven years."
Daniel Peter, one of the above named sons, received the limited common-school education of his day and came west with his parents to Butler county Ohio, in the fall of 1817. He came to Indiana in 1831, to inspect the land, and became a farmer and lumber man. The following year, 1832, he accompanied his parents to Clinton county, this state, and in 1833 settled on two hundred and forty acres of land in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, which was given him by his father. He cleared up his farm from the woods, and built a dam on the middle fork of Wild-cat creek, on his property. That was in 1833 or '34, and this mill, both saw and grist, was the second mill in Perry township. The gristmill was a very primitive affair. The stones were "nigger heads" which they found in the vicinity and dressed up, making fairly good millstones. The flour was bolted by hand. Mr. Peter did a good business for those days. He hauled his flour and lumber to Michigan City and Chicago and there exchanged it for salt and other merchandise, which he sold to his neighbors. These trips would occupy several days and were made with huge Pennsylvania wagons drawn by horses, and at night he would camp out by the roadside. Chicago and Michigan City were the only 'points where merchandise could be obtained. Daniel Peter was a prominent and successful pioneer and had the respect of all who knew him. He married Mary Burkhalter, and theirs was the second marriage in Perry township, Tippecanoe county. She was born September 9, 1812, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Beery) Burkhalter Peter Burkhalter moved from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Butler county, Ohio, and thence with the Peter family to Tippecanoe county, Indiana. (Further mention of him will be found in the sketch of William Burkhalter in this work.)
Daniel Peter and wife were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. The following record is copied from the family Bible: William, born May, 1834; Eliza Ann, July 13, 1835; Henry, September 25, 1836; Catherine, May 5, 1838; Elizabeth, July 29, 1839; Daniel, December 12, 1840; Eli, February 8, 1842; Nicholas, September 8, 1843; Calvin, November 25, 1848, and Irvin, December 6, 1855 "all born at the homestead where Horace Hoffman now lives in Perry township.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter were members of the German Reformed church and were liberal supporters of the same. Also they contributed liberally to the support as well as erection of the different churches in the township. Mr. Peter donated a tract of land, from his farm, for a Methodist church. This was a hewed log house and in it the meetings of the pioneer Methodists were held for many years. In early life Mr. Peter was a Democrat, but became a Republican upon the organization of that party. He had two sons in the civil war, Daniel V. and Eli. The former was in the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Battery, in the three years service, and the latter, also in the three years service, was a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died of .measles, in hospital at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865.
Mr. Peter was a substantial pioneer farmer and business man, noted for his integrity and upright character, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. The substantial brick residence on his farm he built in 1859.
Calvin Peter, whose post office address is Monitor, Indiana, and whose birth is above recorded, is a worthy representative of this well known family and ranks as one of the respected citizens of Perry township. He was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. At about the age of thirty years he was married, in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, to Miss Loretta Weaver, their marriage being consummated on the 9th of September, 1879. Loretta Weaver was born in Tippecanoe county, in the township of Perry, September 9, 1861, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Barnhart) Weaver, and her father, also a native of this township, was a son of John and Catherine (Horner) Weaver. John Weaver was a Pennsylvanian. He married, in Ohio, Catherine Horner, and they were among the early pioneers of Perry township, Tippecanoe county, their settlement being on the north fork of Wildcat creek, where he engaged in farming. Their children were 'Samuel, Charles, Joseph, Mary R., Rebecca and Hannah, who lived to reach adult years. Mr. Weaver had a good farm of two hundred acres, which he cleared from the woods adjoining the village of Pettit. He was a member of the German Baptist church, and was an industrious, hard-working pioneer. He died on his farm at the age of sixty nine years, February 18, 1873. Samuel Weaver and wife, married January 18, 1855, settled on the John Weaver homestead, lived there a few years and thence removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana. At the end of the next three years they returned to the home farm, a portion of which he finally inherited. After living there a number of years he moved to Berrien county, Michigan, where he died at-about the age of fifty one years. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and was a man well known for his kindness of heart and his honest, straightforward manner in all the relations of life. His children were Alpheus A., Alice L., Loretta, Elder E. and Orphie.
Mr. Calvin Peter and wife soon after marriage settled on their present farm, which is a part of his father's homestead, and here he has eighty acres of choice land well improved. By industry and good management he has prospered, and he enjoys the reputation of being one of the practical farmers of his locality. His children are Earl W., Otis C.t Elsie L. and Iva Jean. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and politically he is a Republican.
In conclusion, we refer briefly to Mrs. Calvin Peter's grandfather, John Barnhart. He was of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock, born in Pennsylvania, and was by trade a carpenter. He married, in Ohio, Barbara Swilger, who was likewise of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and born in Ohio. They continued to live there for some years, until the fall of 1849, when they came over into Indiana and settled at Dayton, Tippecanoe county, and in this county they passed the rest of their days. Mr. Barnhart died in Lafayette, at the age of seventy four years, January 16, 1873, a member of the United Brethren church and a man of sterling integrity. His children were Henry, Jerre, William, Mary Levina and Elizabeth
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