Civil War Veteran and Texas Ranger
James Wiley Peters, one of the last remaining old ex-Confederate Soldiers and members of the John A. Green Camp of Dickens County Ex-Confederate Soldiers, died Friday December 28th, at the home of his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Will Garner with whom he had been making his home during the past several years of his infirmities.
He was born in Alabama, July 5, 1841, being eight seven years of age at the time of death. In the Civil War he was in Company Alexander Regiment, serving under Captain D.A. Cleveland. He was also with the Texas Rangers, doing valiant service during the days of Indians, and for which he drew a small pension during his declining days. He moved with his parents to Texas 77 years ago, living for years in Palo Pinto county. He was married in 1867 to Miss Cassa Laster, and from which union eight children were born, five of whom are left to mourn his going, as follows: M.T. Peters of Mercedes; M.C. Peters of Toyah; M.W. Peters of Brownwood; Mrs. W.W. Garner of Spur; one boy whose whereabouts is unknown; and a sister, Mrs. M.E. Wood of Goree, Texas.
Mr. Peters lived in Parker and Palo Pinto counties for over forty years, and was postmaster and owner of Peters general merchandise store for nearly 10 years. In his younger day, he took great interest in county and stale politics. He had lived in Dickens County 20 years and the past 10 years had made his home with Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Garner. He made lots of friends and was never known to complain. He was a man of unusual memory for his age, and could tell incidents of years ago, including the smallest details.
©The Texas Spur, January 4, 1929
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
Funeral rites were read Sunday afternoon for Mrs. Nancy Peters, who died at her home in Spur, Saturday at 3 o'clock p.m.
Nancy Laster Peters was born on December 29, 1849 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a daughter of John F. and Lucy Lester
When a child of 6 years of age, she with her parents moved to Texas and settled in McClellan county where she received her education and where in 1865, she was united in marriage to J.W. Peters. To this union was born eight children, four girls and four boys were born four of whom survives: M.C.Peters and Mrs. W.W. Garner, of Spur with whom she made her home.
Mrs. Peters led a very active life and had enjoyed remarkably good health until Friday, October 25th, she was stricken with paralysis from which she failed to survive. She was a good christian woman, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend, a legion of whom extend sympathy to the family in this sorrow.
Rev. E.L. Yeats, pastor of the Spur Methodist Church, officiated at the funeral services, held at the W.W. Garner residence, East 3rd Street Sunday afternoon; W.B. Williams, funeral director in charge of funeral arrangements.
Interment was made in the Spur Cemetery in the family plot beside the remains of her husband.
©The Texas Spur, November 1935
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
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