Louis PETERS was born on March 20, 1869 in Wolkrange, Belgium (Luxembourg province), the son of Franz and Maria (Weber) PETER. He came to this country with his parents when he was two years of age, emigrating from Belgium in 1871. He became a citizen of the U.S. on July 11, 1898 in Wabasha Co., Minnesota. On October 2, 1906, he was married to Susan Agatha CONRAD, daughter of Paul CONRAD and Maria Katherine PONCELET, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bellechester, Minnesota. Susan CONRAD was born on January 21, 1883 in Chester Twp., Wabasha Co., Minnesota.

In 1912, the family moved from Bellchester, to Okarche, Oklahoma, where they resided between 1912 and 1919. In July, 1919, Louis PETERS had an auction, selling many of the family's belongings, and moved to Washington. The family settled in Chewelah, where they remained for many years.

Louis died on October 31, 1931 at St. Joseph's hospital in Chewelah, Washington, after surgery related to a stomach ulcer. Susan died on February 16, 1970 in Chewelah. The home in Chewelah remained in the family, occupied by their son, Louis William PETERS, until he died in 1980.

Louis PETERS and Susan Agatha CONRAD had the following children:

1. Lucy Maria Catherine PETERS was born September 23, 1907 in Bellechester, Minnesota. She died on December 28, 1977 in Chewelah, Washington. She was married to William J. KOLBECK on November 6, 1934 in Chewelah, Washington. William J. KOLBECK was born on March 7, 1901 in Salem, South Dakota. He died on February 2, 1979 in Colville, Stevens Co., Washington, and was buried at St. Mary of the Rosary Cemetery, in Chewelah

2. Elmer Thomas PETERS was born on May 26, 1909 in Bellechester, Minnesota. Birth certificate says "Thomas Math Peters" with "Elmer" written in front of it in a different pen. He was raised in Chewelah, Washington from the time he was 10 years, moving there from Okarche, Oklahoma with his family. In 1954, he brought his family to Myrtle Creek, Oregon, securing a job with the Hanna Nickel Mining Company, working there until his retirement in 1975. He died on July 2, 1997 in Roseburg, Oregon, and was buried in Roseburg Memorial Gardens. He was married to Ruth Lillian SEGER, daughter of Robert Rodney SEGER and Agnes Cameron JOHNSON, on June 11, 1934 in Chewelah, Washington.

3. Louis William PETERS was born May 24, 1912 in Okarche, Kingfisher Co., Oklahoma. He died on December 11, 1980 in Addy, Washington, and was buried in St. Mary of the Rosary Cemetery in Chewelah. He never married.

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Franz PETER was born on February 14, 1821 in Wolkrange (or as family tradition says, "Voelkers"), Luxembourg province, Belgium, to Nicholas PETER and Margaretha GRAPER (or GRASSER). He was married to Maria WEBER, daughter of Jackob (or Jacques) WEBER and Catharina NEPPER, on December 26, 1849 in Hondelange, Belgium. The family immigrated to the U.S., leaving Liverpool, England and traveling on the S/S Italy, arriving in New York on April 18, 1871. The Ship's Manifest lists him as Franz Petri.

The Italy was built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1870. The length was 389 feet, and she was 42.3 feet wide, constructed of iron, had one funnel and 3 masts rigged for sail. She had a single screw which delivered a cruising speed of 11 knots, which allowed her to make the Liverpool to New York run in about 11 days.

The family settled in Chester Twp., Wabasha County, Minnesota. Frank PETERS died on November 4, 1891 in Bellechester, Minnesota, and was buried at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, in Bellechester.

Maria WEBER was born on December 14, 1823 in Toernich, Belgium (Luxembourg province). She died on January 27, 1908 in Bellechester, Minnesota. According to a family history booklet put together by Anna Catherine PETERS, Maria had two full brothers and two half brothers that remained in Belgium. There were three half-brothers of Maria's that settled in Minnesota near her.

Obituary - Bellechester News:

Mrs. Mary Peter
Mrs. Mary Peter, who had been ill 4 days, died Monday at 3 pm.. The funeral was held Thursday morning at 10:00 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Belvidere, Rev. Father Roemer officiating. Mary Weber was born in Belgium in August, 1823. She was married to Frank Peter in 1846. They came to this country in 1871, where they resided ever since. Seven children were born to them - Nick and Louis of Chester; Frank of St. Paul; Mrs. Frank Loukes of Jordan, Minn.; Mrs. John Delva of Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. Matt Strauss, Eden Valley, Minn. and Mrs. William Conrad of Stockett, Mont.. She is also survived by 2 brothers, Frank and John B. Weber of Chester. The deceased has been regarded among her neighbors and friends as a concientous, honest and upright woman: and not only will her family mourn her death, but the whole community feels her loss. Their only hope is in a future meeting with their revered friend, sister and mother.

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1. Nickolas (Nick) PETERS was born October 30, 1850 in Wolkrange, Belgium. He emigrated from Belgium to the United States in 1869. He was married to Elizabeth NEI, daughter of Peter and Catherine NEI. Elizabeth was born on February 5, 1859. She died on March 26, 1879. He was married (2nd) to Mary PROM, daughter of Heinrich D. (Henry) PROM and Susanna NEUHENGEN) on May 24, 1881 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Bellechester. Mary was born on March 5, 1859 in Belgium, Ozaukee Co., Wisconsin.

2. Frank J. PETERS Jr. was born on January 7, 1854 in Wolkrange, Belgium. He was married to Elizabeth BARTHOLOME, daughter of Dominic BARTHOLOME and Catharine SCHMITZ, about 1888 in Minnesota. Elizabeth BARTHOLOME was born January 9, 1867. She died on December 5, 1938 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, in St. Paul.

3. Anne Catherine PETERS was born on August 19, 1856 in Wolkrange, Belgium.She was married to Frank LUCAS before 1886 in Minnesota. Frank LUCAS was born on December 24, 1856 in Belgium. They resided in Jordan, Minnesota in 1908. Frank died August 30, 1936 in Sandcreek Twp., Scott Co., Minnesota, and was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Anne died June 1, 1919 in Sandcreek Twp. and was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

4. Maria Katherina PETERS was born on February 3, 1859 in Wolkrange, Belgium. She was married to John Karl DELVA, on May 15, 1877 in Goodhue Co., Minnesota. John Karl DELVA was born in Dec 1851 and died in 1927 in Chewelah, Stevens Co., Washington. Katherine died in 1930 in Chewelah, and was buried in St. Mary of the Rosary Cemetery, with her husband.

5. Mary PETERS was born on February 2, 1862 in Wolkrange, Belgium. She was married to Mathias STRAUSS on May 24, 1881 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bellechester, Minnesota. Mathias STRAUSS was born on May 18, 1854 in Hostert, Luxembourg. He died on October 12, 1927. Mary died August 2, 1947.

6. Jean Nicolas PETERS was born on July 5, 1864 in Wolkrange, Belgium. He died on April 21, 1865 in Wolkrange.

7. Mary Ann PETERS was born on February 10, 1867 in Wolkrange, Belgium. She was married to William M. CONRAD, son of Paul CONRAD and Maria Katherine PONCELET, on June 27, 1906 in Bellechester, Minnesota. William was born April 27, 1873 in Goodhue Co., Minnesota. Eilliam and Mary Ann lived in Chewelah in 1920, having moved from Stockett, Montana, where the CONRAD family resided. They resided in Mt. Angel, Marion County, Oregon between 1930 and 1944. William died February 18, 1952, in Mt. Angel, She died July 31, 1957 in Linn Co., Oregon. They are both buried Calvary Cemetery, Mt. Angel, Oregon.

8. Louis PETERS - See above