ELDRED D. PETERS
Portrait and Biographical Record ~ Pages 478, 481
i>Kindly submitted by: Shirley Reese Siltala
ELDRED D. PETERS, a
prominent business man of Slatington, is a member of the firm of
E. D. Peters & Co., manufacturers and miners of the
Franklin Vein Slate, and one of the leading and most substantial
slate firms of this place, as they produce an article of
superior quality, and do an extensive wholesale and jobbing
business. Their trade extends to many parts of the United
States, and even as far south as San Antonio, Tex. Mr. Peters
has been active in many local enterprises, and was one of the
promoters and founders of the Electric Light, Heat and Power
Company, of which he is President and Manager.
The birth of Eldred Peters
occurred in Carbon County, February 13, 1853. His father, Aaron
Peters, is also a native of the same county, and makes
his home in Slatington, at the age of seventy-three years. His
wife, who is now seventy-two years of age, bore the maiden name
of Susan Ringer, and was born in Lehigh County. Henry
Peters, our subject’s paternal grandfather, was born in
Carbon County, and his family, who were among the early settlers
in the Keystone State, originally came from Switzerland.
Up to the age of eleven years
Eldred D. Peters resided in the county of his birth,
where he received his early schooling, later entering the public
schools of Slatington. Subsequently for three years he pursued
his studies in the State Normal School at Millersville,
Lancaster County. Prior to this, however, when only twelve
years of age, he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley
Railroad, with which company he remained one year. When fifteen
years old he entered the store in Slatington, where he clerked
for a time, afterward attending the normal school. On
completing his education he learned the shoemaker’s trade, at
which he worked for a year and a–half, and then for a time
clerked for various parties. In 1874 he accepted a place as
clerk of the Ironton Railroad at Ironton, Pa., serving
faithfully as such for four years. Being of an enterprising
turn of mind, during this time he also engaged in selling coal
on commission.
It was in 1878 that Mr.
Peters returned to Slatington to engage in the business of
selling coal and roofing slate in which he was active until
1882, when he turned his attention more particularly to the
mining and manufacture of slate goods, which business he has
conducted successfully until the present. The firm of which he
is a member was established in 1883, the partners being E. D.
and W. K. Peters. Since 1877 Mr. Peters has been
a stockholder and Director in the Bank of Slatington, and was
one of the organizers of the institution. In addition to this
he was a stockholder and Director in the Slatington Rolling Mill
Company, and in his numerous investments he has met with marked
success, for he is careful and correct in his judgment, and has
manifested good business ability. E. D. Peters & Co., besides
their other enterprises, run a large general store, it being one
of the most extensive in Slatington.
In 1875 the subject of this
sketch was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Geiger, of
Slatington, daughter of Jonas Geiger, a well known resident of
this place. Two sons grace their union: Charles Douglas,
who is a student at Lafayette College, and Edward Martin,
who is attending the public schools. The parents are faithful
members of the Reformed Church, and are well received in the
social circles of this city. Mr. Peters, who is a
pronounced Republican in politics, was Burgess of Slatington,
and has served in the City Council several times.