GEORGIA ITEMS
Richard Peters,
one of the most prominent citizens of Atlanta, died on
Tuesday. He was 79 years of age. He was a grandson of
Judge Peters, a celebrated Philadelphia lawyer and
author of “Peter’s Reports,” a legal production much sought
after by attorneys. His ancestors were Quakers and came
across the Atlantic with William Penn.
He was educated as a
civil engineer. In 1842 when he was 32 years of age, he left
Pennsylvania for Augusta, Ga., to locate the Georgia
railroad. He was then with J. Edgar Thompson, who was
afterward president of the Pennsylvania Railroad. After the
Georgia road had been located, and the work of building was
in progress, Mr. Peters was made superintendent, but
subsequently resigned that position to give his attention to
the stage line running between the end of the Georgia road
and Montgomery.
Mr. Peters lived in
Augusta until 1848, when he married Miss Mary Jane
Thompson, daughter of Dr. Jos. Thompson, of home
fame. After his marriage he made Atlanta his home, and has
been there ever since. Mr. Peters was identified with all
enterprises which had for their object Atlanta’s good.
In 1847 he bought a
farm in Gordon County, which he still owns. That farm has
for years been a model place.
