Gees, where have I been? I knew that I hadn't been here (I figured) for a couple months. I didn't realize, it had been 6! I am so sorry for that! In all fairness, I got busy.
With what you ask? Well, When i first started this journey and blog, I was a stay at home momma. So I had the time to focus on my two passions. My babies and my love for history/ quest to find my GGpa's furniture.
But then, like most families, money got tight. So I went back to work. I work for Habitat for Humanity. In a ReStore. I tell you, every time an old piece comes in, my heart skips a little. Hoping it's one of his. Any who, I also was busy planning a wedding for my sister in law. A wedding in 4 months, WHEW! Lets just say, I am glad that night ended and with an open bar. :)
But after talking with a wonderful man from work, I remembered about my blog and how I deserted it! :( * Free kicks to Rachel's ass-Line starts here*
I have tried to write back/email everyone I can. But it seems most do not answer me back. So please remember to check your SPAM folder. Maybe I go in there. haha.
So many exciting things to update about, I just don't know where to begin!
I need to gather my thoughts and pictures, so I shall return soon. New pieces will be added!!
-Love Always, Rachel
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Who was Joseph Peters?
Joseph Peters was born, May 9th 1832 in Prussia. Son of Franz and Theodora Hodes-Peters.
He trained in Prussia to be a cabinet maker. At 21 years old in 1853, He came to America.
He had heard that there was a great need for cabinet makers. Before 1810 there were no fine makers of furniture in St.Louis. In 1819 Laveille and Morton arrived with woodworking tools and flat-boats loaded with lumber.
By 1840 Furniture manufacturing was becoming one of the major industries of St.Louis. By 1855 Joseph Peters was known for his bureaus and cabinet work. John Crane opened a shop in 1855 and Martin Lammert in 1860. JP was apparently associated with one of the early shop owners . He worked with one for nine years before he was able to accumulate enough money to open his own factory.
In 1870 he opened his own Factory. Know as The Joseph Peters Furniture Co.He bought the land for the Factory at 15th and Chambers street. The address was 1423-37 North 15th Street St.Louis Mo.
(The building is no longer there) Show room was at 514 Locust Street.
By 1880 he had at least 75 workmen in his employ. By 1908 there were 50 furniture manufacturers in St.Louis with a gross annual product of $5,867,000.
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Described once as one of the "Builders of industrial St.Louis." JP is and was known for his craftsmanship and the quality of his Furniture. Making his pieces out of Ash,Walnut,Oak,Mahogany,Maple,Poplar and Sycamore.Adding elegant ad on's, such as marble tops,rosettes,pressed carvings and quality varnish.
Making bedroom suite, including toilets,beds,wardrobes,chiffonier,desks, wash stands and princess dressers.
Using wood and porcelain for casters.
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These would be the markings on his later (older) pieces
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These would be the marking on his earliest pieces
Joseph Peters first came to Florissant Mo in 1887. Making it his permanent home in 1890. His main house, One of three in Florissant was built in 1912. It still and now known in Florissant as the "Peters House"
Side Fun Fact and True Story- At one time my Grandpa (Pa) JP the 3rd. Rented the downstairs to my Aunt Nancy. Sending my Uncle over to help fix things and Then later to my Mom upstairs. Then sent my Dad over to fix things. Smart man!!
This is a picture of another Peters house. I am told it was torn down and the land was sold to build a gas station. ( I am air kicking my relatives in heaven at the moment.)
He built his new home at 905 St.Francois . He had the house wired for electricity, even tho there was no electric service in Florissant at the time. Sadly he died before the lights were ever turned on, due to the franchise to Union Electric was granted on March 30, 1914. The city grew quickly after World War II and a larger City Hall was needed. A new building was built on the same lot as JP the 1st House, at the corner of St. Francois and Jefferson. JP the 1st, was an amateur botanist and nature lover. He died on May 10th 1913 . The rare Horse Chestnut and Copper Beech trees still surround parts of the new city hall. As well as on the blocks surrounding the land he owned and homes that once stood on the blocks. He also owned a greenhouse on one of the blocks adjacent to his home. (Where Boatmens/ now Bank of America is as well as the large parking lot) His chief interest was grafting and propagating of trees and shrubs.
Another Fun Fact: My mom said she remembers walking by this house as a child and running her fingers over the iron fencing surrounding the property.
JP the first was the son of Franz and Theodora Hodes-Peters. His first wife Caroline Gassman -Peters, died in 1882 of congestive heart failure. They were one year apart in age. Apparently Great Great Gpa Peters decided he needed to live a little and went for a 30 years younger version in round two. He married his second wife, Christina Bacher in 1888.Christina was born in 1861 and died in 1930. Together they had three children. Joseph Peters II (b.1889 d.1969) Carl G Peters and Anna Peters. Anna later married into the Aydt family.
2nd Wife, Christina Peters
JP the 1st was also one of the founders as well as the first President of the Florissant Valley Canning,Milling and Creamery Company. It was organized by 8 farmers in the St.Ferdinand Township.
It was stated that it had been sold in May 1902, as per a newspaper article from May 20th 1902. The same month Mark Twain came back to St.Louis , traveling home.
It took a lot of digging just to find what was put on this post alone. Good new is I have soooo Much more to share and still find! I am currently solving mysteries on Land owner ship in Texas. The Peters family also had a servant named Lizzie Lott. She started working with them at the age of 17, in 1882. It is believed she was an Indentured servant. Still working on finding more out about that.
Not to mention the countless papers of original deeds from the factory!
(Those will be posted at a later date :)
Also, I want to clear up some gossip, that others on the web have posted about JP and his life.He was NEVER, to my knowledge or anyone in my families, a undertaker. He may have made a coffin or two, requested from a coroner or something (This is even a guess) But never an undertaker.He also never owned over 50 factories. Sorry, but I think owning just one, a milling company/ canning company, countless acres of land, president of a bank, amateur botanist and mayor for two terms will have to suffice.
Till next time, treasure hunters! - Rachel
He trained in Prussia to be a cabinet maker. At 21 years old in 1853, He came to America.
He had heard that there was a great need for cabinet makers. Before 1810 there were no fine makers of furniture in St.Louis. In 1819 Laveille and Morton arrived with woodworking tools and flat-boats loaded with lumber.
By 1840 Furniture manufacturing was becoming one of the major industries of St.Louis. By 1855 Joseph Peters was known for his bureaus and cabinet work. John Crane opened a shop in 1855 and Martin Lammert in 1860. JP was apparently associated with one of the early shop owners . He worked with one for nine years before he was able to accumulate enough money to open his own factory.
In 1870 he opened his own Factory. Know as The Joseph Peters Furniture Co.He bought the land for the Factory at 15th and Chambers street. The address was 1423-37 North 15th Street St.Louis Mo.
(The building is no longer there) Show room was at 514 Locust Street.
By 1880 he had at least 75 workmen in his employ. By 1908 there were 50 furniture manufacturers in St.Louis with a gross annual product of $5,867,000.
Described once as one of the "Builders of industrial St.Louis." JP is and was known for his craftsmanship and the quality of his Furniture. Making his pieces out of Ash,Walnut,Oak,Mahogany,Maple,Poplar and Sycamore.Adding elegant ad on's, such as marble tops,rosettes,pressed carvings and quality varnish.
Making bedroom suite, including toilets,beds,wardrobes,chiffonier,desks, wash stands and princess dressers.
Using wood and porcelain for casters.
These would be the markings on his later (older) pieces These would be the marking on his earliest pieces Joseph Peters first came to Florissant Mo in 1887. Making it his permanent home in 1890. His main house, One of three in Florissant was built in 1912. It still and now known in Florissant as the "Peters House"
This is a picture of another Peters house. I am told it was torn down and the land was sold to build a gas station. ( I am air kicking my relatives in heaven at the moment.)
He built his new home at 905 St.Francois . He had the house wired for electricity, even tho there was no electric service in Florissant at the time. Sadly he died before the lights were ever turned on, due to the franchise to Union Electric was granted on March 30, 1914. The city grew quickly after World War II and a larger City Hall was needed. A new building was built on the same lot as JP the 1st House, at the corner of St. Francois and Jefferson. JP the 1st, was an amateur botanist and nature lover. He died on May 10th 1913 . The rare Horse Chestnut and Copper Beech trees still surround parts of the new city hall. As well as on the blocks surrounding the land he owned and homes that once stood on the blocks. He also owned a greenhouse on one of the blocks adjacent to his home. (Where Boatmens/ now Bank of America is as well as the large parking lot) His chief interest was grafting and propagating of trees and shrubs.
JP the first was the son of Franz and Theodora Hodes-Peters. His first wife Caroline Gassman -Peters, died in 1882 of congestive heart failure. They were one year apart in age. Apparently Great Great Gpa Peters decided he needed to live a little and went for a 30 years younger version in round two. He married his second wife, Christina Bacher in 1888.Christina was born in 1861 and died in 1930. Together they had three children. Joseph Peters II (b.1889 d.1969) Carl G Peters and Anna Peters. Anna later married into the Aydt family.
Joseph Peters II
JP the 1st was also one of the founders as well as the first President of the Florissant Valley Canning,Milling and Creamery Company. It was organized by 8 farmers in the St.Ferdinand Township.
It was stated that it had been sold in May 1902, as per a newspaper article from May 20th 1902. The same month Mark Twain came back to St.Louis , traveling home.
The factory canned mainly Tomatoes and pumpkin. The factory operated till 1918.
In 1905, shortly after founding the citizens bank of Florissant, JP was elected President. A position he held at the time of his death. It was later changed to Florissant Bank in 1948. In 1968, Joseph Peters Jr. (II) Was still the Director of the bank and served a record of 57 years, until his death.
JP the 1st also served two terms as Mayor of Florissant.
Joseph Peters I, before his death.
I have always thought he had an extremely kind face. Someone I would love to ask questions from. Tell my stories to , in return. What an amazing thing that would be!It took a lot of digging just to find what was put on this post alone. Good new is I have soooo Much more to share and still find! I am currently solving mysteries on Land owner ship in Texas. The Peters family also had a servant named Lizzie Lott. She started working with them at the age of 17, in 1882. It is believed she was an Indentured servant. Still working on finding more out about that.
Not to mention the countless papers of original deeds from the factory!
(Those will be posted at a later date :)
Also, I want to clear up some gossip, that others on the web have posted about JP and his life.He was NEVER, to my knowledge or anyone in my families, a undertaker. He may have made a coffin or two, requested from a coroner or something (This is even a guess) But never an undertaker.He also never owned over 50 factories. Sorry, but I think owning just one, a milling company/ canning company, countless acres of land, president of a bank, amateur botanist and mayor for two terms will have to suffice.
Till next time, treasure hunters! - Rachel
Sunday, March 2, 2014
The first of many heart aches....
While I have already voiced my want and need for a piece of my Great Great Grandfathers furniture to keep in my Family, I haven't voiced the given. Which is I am a stay at home mom of twins, that is on a tight budget! I mean, who isn't on a budget these days? So I am doing these searches, with a lot of faith, hope, determination and a little pocket change.
Last week, I saw a post on MSN. About, how Facebook was getting rid of the 2nd not so know, email/inbox. I myself thought
" Oh yeah! I wonder whats in that box, that I have never checked."
So I did...... and I got the best surprise EVER!
A man named Will, contacted me saying.
"Hi Rachel.... I found your post after searching joseph peters furniture company... I recently acquired a wash table with mirror that I am trying to find out what it is worth and sell.."
I thought I was dreaming!! How could I be so Lucky! He did however, write me over a week ago. On Feb 16th. I Immediately wrote him back! Hoping to get this beauty from him.
But, The first heart ache
"I got the piece from my cousin. It was her moms. I wasn't sure if you were gonna reply back so I sold it to an antique company a few days ago. Yes it had the original stamp on it. I am located in southaven ms just south of memphis tn."
Now,I can not be mad at this nice man. If it's any ones fault, I blame Mark Zuckerberg. Who needs two in-boxes? He helped me further by telling me where he took it and how much he sold it to them for.
I immediately called the owner, Named Dean and told him the whole story. He told me he needed to think about it.I explained that I was willing to pay $30 over what Will sold it to him for, as I would need to pay for the 5hrs in gas there and back, plus a possible hotel stay.
The second heart ache
Dean called me back and told me they could only do an amount that I didn't have.
It broke my heart and I started to tear up on the phone. After I got off the phone I cried to my self out loud in my mom van. Looking like I just watched an ASPCA commercial with Sara Mclachlan.
So, I know that this journey will have its ups and downs, but so far I am having a lot of downs with a few neat surprises thrown in. I am still Piece-less.
There is Always tomorrow!
Last week, I saw a post on MSN. About, how Facebook was getting rid of the 2nd not so know, email/inbox. I myself thought
" Oh yeah! I wonder whats in that box, that I have never checked."
So I did...... and I got the best surprise EVER!
A man named Will, contacted me saying.
"Hi Rachel.... I found your post after searching joseph peters furniture company... I recently acquired a wash table with mirror that I am trying to find out what it is worth and sell.."
I thought I was dreaming!! How could I be so Lucky! He did however, write me over a week ago. On Feb 16th. I Immediately wrote him back! Hoping to get this beauty from him.
But, The first heart ache
"I got the piece from my cousin. It was her moms. I wasn't sure if you were gonna reply back so I sold it to an antique company a few days ago. Yes it had the original stamp on it. I am located in southaven ms just south of memphis tn."
Now,I can not be mad at this nice man. If it's any ones fault, I blame Mark Zuckerberg. Who needs two in-boxes? He helped me further by telling me where he took it and how much he sold it to them for.
I immediately called the owner, Named Dean and told him the whole story. He told me he needed to think about it.I explained that I was willing to pay $30 over what Will sold it to him for, as I would need to pay for the 5hrs in gas there and back, plus a possible hotel stay.
The second heart ache
Dean called me back and told me they could only do an amount that I didn't have.
It broke my heart and I started to tear up on the phone. After I got off the phone I cried to my self out loud in my mom van. Looking like I just watched an ASPCA commercial with Sara Mclachlan.
So, I know that this journey will have its ups and downs, but so far I am having a lot of downs with a few neat surprises thrown in. I am still Piece-less.
There is Always tomorrow!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Hunting For Treasures!
Today, I had the privileged of going to Washington University's Archive Room.
I had done some research and fund out , they had some documents donated to them.
So I called and requested that I be able to come in and look at them, take down some notes and take pictures. I am also getting copies of every document I have come across so far. Unfortunately, some of the documents ink is very light.So I requested that they scan them for me, using a better scanner than a home user would have. They are backed up with requests right now, and they will not be ready for a few weeks. :(
Till then, I do have the Pictures! But, those will take a while to load up as well. Besides,..... Did you really think I was going to spoil the surprise of the scans to read, by showing you the Pictures?? hehe
I was a fun filled 5 hours of reading and sitting in awe. I mean, My Great Great Grand Father held (at one time) These very same documents!! It's just like the ledger to the factory I own. I get all teary eyed just thinking about it! History is amazing. :)
I had done some research and fund out , they had some documents donated to them.
So I called and requested that I be able to come in and look at them, take down some notes and take pictures. I am also getting copies of every document I have come across so far. Unfortunately, some of the documents ink is very light.So I requested that they scan them for me, using a better scanner than a home user would have. They are backed up with requests right now, and they will not be ready for a few weeks. :(
Till then, I do have the Pictures! But, those will take a while to load up as well. Besides,..... Did you really think I was going to spoil the surprise of the scans to read, by showing you the Pictures?? hehe
I was a fun filled 5 hours of reading and sitting in awe. I mean, My Great Great Grand Father held (at one time) These very same documents!! It's just like the ledger to the factory I own. I get all teary eyed just thinking about it! History is amazing. :)
Monday, February 10, 2014
Welcome Everyone!
My name is Rachel .
I am about to embark on quest to find out about my families past, for my children's future.
Some of you who visit, may be researching Joseph Peters Furniture Co your selves.
Wondering who he is? What about his company? How old is my piece? What year was it made?
Well, I am here to answer some of those questions for you. As well as finding out some questions for my self. I just recently started this journey back up again. I love history and am passionate about the preservation of such items. It pains me to know, that someday when my children are older, they will no longer have or know of, such things.
How this all started-
About 4/5 years ago, I went upstairs in my Grandparents house. In a closet I found a old stack of books. The bindings were in so so, condition. With all pages intact. I walked them down to my grandfather, asking him if I could have them. He said he didn't know what they were, but didn't look of any use to him anymore.
What I ended up obtaining, were The original Ledgers For his furniture company, As well as his canning company. Originally dating back to_____.
I had no idea what a history my family had! I had made a few responses to those who wrote questions on the internet, trying to find out info on their pieces. My quest then fizzled.
Only due to life getting busy, work,school had twins. You know!
So Here I am.
Now setting up this site to Share my findings, info, pictures, stories and documents.
I hope you enjoy and bare with me. It may take some time to get everything up and running!
Lets find my past together!
-Rachel
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