Honoring Native Ancestors: Simon Peters 1886-1977

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Simon Peters 1886-1977

Simon Peters was born 18 Jun 1886 in Isabella county, Michigan, the son of Thomas Peters and Nancy Williams.

Brother Frank was born 12 Mar 1888. [From draft registration]

Sister Ida was born Mar 1890 [From census record]

Mother Nancy died between 1890-1900

1900 Federal Census - Deerfield township, Isabella, Michigan

Yahba, Thomas, head, born Jun 1861, 38, widowed, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, farmer, can read, can write, can speak English, owns free farm, full Chippewa, taxed, acquired citizenship in 1890, by allotment, lives in fixed dwelling.

Symon, son, born July 1885, 14, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school, can read, can write, can speak English, full Chippewa

Frank, son, born June 1888, 12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school, can read, can write, can speak English, full Chippewa

Ida, daughter, born Mar 1890, 10, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school, can read, can write, can speak English, full Chippewa

Simon, 12, and Frank, 13, were admitted to the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School on 28 Aug 1901 for a period of 3 years. Their parent was Thomas Peters of Whiteville. Father was living, mother was not. They were listed as Ottawa. Simon was listed as "ran away."

In 1902 only Frank was attending the Mt. Pleasant Indian School. He was listed as 13, son of Thos. Peters of Whiteville, full blood.

Sister Ida was admitted to Mt Pleasant Indian School on 8 Sep 1903. The only information gives was tribe - Chippewa.

1904 Mt. Pleasant Indian School register has Frank as 14, son of Thomas Peters of Whiteville, full Chippewa.

1905 Mt. Pleasant Indian School historical record has Ida Peters, Chippewa, daughter of Thomas Peters of Mt. Pleasant and Beal City, full blood, age 13, admitted 8 Sep 1903 for a period of 3 years, withdrawn 1 Nov 1904 for poor health.

On 8 Apr 1910 in Leaton, Ida, 18, of Leaton, (called daughter of Geo. Peters), married Andrew Williams, 38, of Mecosta Co., farmer, son of Thos. Williams. Ceremony was performed by C. E. Davis, Minister.

Isabella County Enterprise - 8 Apr 1910

Isabella County Enterprise - 15 Apr 1910

1910 Federal Census - Richland Township, Isabella, Michigan - taken 28 Apr 1910

Peters, Thomas, head, 50, widowed, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, laborer on farm

Simon, son, 25, single, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, laborer on farm

Frank, son, 23, single, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, laborer on farm

Simon, 24, laborer, son of Thos. Peters and Nancy Williams, married Julia Fisher, 23, the daughter of Samuel Fisher on 4 May 1910 in Richland, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by C. A. Whaley, minister.

Isabella County Enterprise - 6 May 1910 announced the marriage

On 7 Aug 1910, Simon was witness to the marriage of James H. Peters and Mary Neyome in Nottawa, Isabella, Michigan

Son Wilfred was born 1 Dec 1910 in Isabella, Michigan.

Sister Ida died 11 Aug 1911. Her age was given as about 18, father as Tom Peters. Cause of death was cerebral appoplexy.

Daughter Aretta was born 14 Jul 1913 in Isabella, Michigan

Wife Julia died 15 Oct 1913 in Isabella to township, Isabella, Michigan. Her birth was given as 28 Mar 1885, parents as Dan Fish and don't know of Saginaw county. Cause of death was tuberculosis of both lungs, burial in Isabella county. Informant was Dr. Burch of Mt. Pleasant.

Isabella County Enterprise - 17 Oct 1913

Daughter Aretta died on 27 Oct 1913. Parents were Simon Peters and Julia Peters. Her age was given as 3 months, 11 days. Cause of death was malnutrition, burial was in Isabella. Informant was Frank Peters.

Aretta's Isabella county death record gives her age as 2 years, 3 months, 11 days.

Brother Frank, 24, laborer, married Grace Bennett, 19, daughter of Dan Bennett and Ethel Isaac on 10 Dec 1912 in Mt. Pleasant. Ceremony was performed by Wm. A. Starkweather, Justice of the Peace.

Niece Thelma, daughter of brother Frank and his wife Grace, was born 5 Sep 1914.

Photo of baby Thelma.

On 23 Oct 1915 in Mt. Pleasant, Simon and future wife Louise Smith were witnesses to the marriage of Lee Otto and Delia Bennett.

Simon, 29, laborer, son of Thos. Peters and Nancy Williams, married Louise Smith, 24, daughter of Wm. Smith and unknown on 24 Nov 1915 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Cyrus E. Russell, Justice. Witnesses were Lee and Delia Otto.

Clare Sentinel - 3 Dec 1915

Son Richard was born 8 May 1916.

Simon registered for the draft on 5 Jun 1917. He gave his birth as 18 Jun 1886 in Dearfield, Michigan. His occupation was farming, employed by John Schupbach. Said his father, wife and child were solely dependent on him for support. Simon was described as medium height and build, brown eyes and black hair.

Brother Frank also registered on 5 Jun 1917. He gave his name as Frank Peters Jr., birthdate as 12 Mar 1888 in Deerfield, Michigan. His occupation was farmer, employed by John Schupbach. Said his father, wife and child were solely dependent on him for support. Frank was described as medium height and build, dark eyes and hair.

Sister-in-law Grace Peters, wife of brother Frank, died 10 Aug 1917. Her birthdate was given as 1 Jul 1896, age as 21 years, 1 month, 10 days, parents as Daniel Bennett and Edith Isaac. Cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis, burial in Rosebush cemetery. Informant was Frank Peters.

Frank served in World War I, in the Machine Gun Company of the 58th Infantry.

Daughter Nellie Marie was born 26 Oct 1918 in Nottawa, Isabella, Michigan

Wife Louisa was said to have died 16 Nov 1918 in Nottawa, Isabelle, Michigan. Exact date not given, but certificate was filed 20 Nov 1918. Her husband was given as Symon Peters, age as 26, occupation as housewife. Cause of death was pneumonia. Informant was C.J. Strans of Weidman.

On 17 Jun 1920, Simon, 33, laborer, son of Thomas Peters and Nancy Williams, married Anna Cook, 26, daughter of Thos. Sampson and Mary Shawagon in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. Simon had been married twice before, Anna once before. Ceremony was performed by James E. Ryan, Justice of the Peace.

Isabella County Enterprise - 25 Jun 1920

1920 Federal Census - Nottawa township, Isabella, Michigan

Peters, Thomas, head, 58, married, can not read, can not write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, laborer, working out

Julia, wife, 34, married, can not read, can not write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Simon, son, 33, widowed, can not read, can not write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, farm laborer, working out

Frank, son, 31, single, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, farm laborer, working out

Wilfred, grandson, 9, born Michigan, parents born Michigan [child of Simon]

Richard, grandson, 3 8/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan [child of Simon]

Nellie, grand daughter, 1 2/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan [child of Simon]

Thelma, grand daughter, 5 1/12, did not attend school, born Michigan, parents born Michigan [child of Frank]

Smith, Nennie, boarder, 37, divorced, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Cook, Anna, boarder, 26, widowed, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Loyd, boarder, 5 8/12, did not attend school, born Michigan, parents born Michigan [child of Anna]

Lettie, boarder, 7/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan [child of Anna]

Niece Thelma died 3 Aug 1920. Her birth was given as 5 Sep 1914, age as 5 years, 10 months, 28 days, parents as Frank Peters and Grace Bennett. Cause of death was cerebro spinal meningitis, burial at Rosebush cemetery. Informant was Edith Bennett.

Father Thomas died 20 Oct 1925. Wife was Mary, age was 64, occupation farmer. Birth place was Saginaw county, father John Peters. Cause of death was chronic nephritis, burial in Rosebush, Michigan. Informant was Simon Peters.

1930 Federal Census - Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan

Peters, Simon, head, owns house valued at $200, lives on a farm, 44, 1st marriage at 23, did not attend school in 1929, can read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa, laborer

Anna, wife, 37, 1st marriage at 16, did not attend school in 1929, can read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa

Wilfred, son, 19, did not attend school in 1929, can read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa, laborer - ditcher

Richard, son, 14, did not attend school in 1929, can not read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa

Nellie, daughter, 12, did not attend school in 1929, can not read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa

Frank, brother, 42, widowed, did not attend school in 1929, can read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa, laborer - ditcher

Cook, George, step son, 20, did not attend school in 1929, can read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa, laborer - ditcher

Frank, step son, 18, did not attend school in 1929, can read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa, laborer - ditcher

Elk, James, 96, widowed, did not attend school in 1929, can read and write, born Michigan, full blood Chippewa

Daughter Nellie was admitted to Mt. Pleasant Indian Boarding School on 1 Jan 1931. She was Chippewa, parent was Simon Peters of Mt. Pleasant. She was full blood, age 12.

Mt. Pleasant Indian Boarding School - Register of Pupils - girls 1931-1932

Nellie Peters, Chippewa, daughter of Simon Peters of Mt. Pleasant, full blood, age 13, admitted 6 Jan 1931.

Son Wilfred, 23, was married to Julia Otto, 21, daughter of Peter Otto and Emma Jackson on 12 Dec 1933 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by E. Mayhew, clergyman. Witnesses were Frank. J. Cook and Nellie Peters.

Granddaughter Betty Lou, daughter of Wilfred and Julia, was born 2 Sep 1934 in Mt. Pleasant

Grandson Wilfred Jr., son of Wilfred and Julia, was born 23 Aug 1936.

Daughter Nellie, 18, was married to Tooley Pelcher, 26, son of Peter Pelcher and Adeline Collins on 6 Feb 1937 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by E. Mayhew, Clergyman. Witnesses were Wilfred and Julia Peters.

Grandson Sylvester Lee Pelcher, son of Tooley Pelcher and Nellie, was born 3 Jul 1937.

Detroit News - 26 Dec 1937

Detroit Times Extra - 23 Jan 1938

Grandson Sylvester Lee Pelcher died 13 May 1938 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. His birth was given as 3 Jul 1937, age as 10 months, 10 days, parents as Tooley Pelcher and Nellie Peters. Cause of death was lobar pneumonia, burial in Rosebush cemetery. Informant was Tooley Pelcher.

Grandson LaVern Thomas Pelcher, son of Tooley and Nellie, was born 3 Oct 1938

Granddaughter Hazel Marie, daughter of Wilfred and Julia was born 20 Jan 1939

Granddaughter Betty Lou received a broken nose in Sep 1939

Isabella County Times-News - 7 Sep 1939

1940 Federal Census - Union township, Isabella, Michigan - taken 15 Apr 1940

Peters, Simon, head, 54, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - 2nd, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, yes on a farm, yes at work week of March 24-30th, 50 hours, occupation wood cutter.

Peters, Anna, gave the information, wife, 46, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - 6th, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, not on a farm not at work week of March 24-30th, basket making

Cook, Frank, son in step, 28, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - 3rd, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, yes at work week of March 24-30th, 45 hours, occupation wood cutting

Peters, Richard, son in law, 24, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - none, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, yes at work week of March 24-30th, 45 hours, occupation wood cutting

Pelcher, ~~Nellie~~ Tooley, daughter, 29, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - 8th, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, not at work week of March 24-30th, looking for work, laborer for W.P.A.

Nellie, grand daughter 22, married, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - 3rd, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Laverne, grand son, 1, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - none, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

[There are so many errors on this census. If they all lived in the same place as in 1935, then the answer to farm should be the same for all. Frank was Anna's son, Simon's step-son; Richard was Simon's son; Tooley was Simon's son in law; Nellie was Simon's daughter.]

1940 Federal Census - Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan - taken 23-24 Apr 1940

Peters, Frank, 52, widowed, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - 4th, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, yes at work week of March 24-30th, 50 hours, occupation laborer on farm

Wilfred, nephew, 29, married, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - 6th, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, yes at work week of March 24-30th, 0 hours, occupation laborer on farm

Julia, gave the information. niece, 27, married, did not attend school since 1 Mar 1940, highest grade completed - HI, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Bettie Lou, 5, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Wilfred Jr., 3, born in Michigan,

Hazel, 1, born in Michigan

Son Wilfred L. registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940 in Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan. He gave his birth as 1 Dec 1910 in Deerfield Township, person who will always know your address as Mrs. Julia E. Peters, wife. Employer's name was Isabella Sugar Company of Mt. Pleasant. Wilfred was described as 5 ft. 3 inches, 130 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.

Son Richard also registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940 in Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan. He gave his birth as 8 May 1916, person who will always know your address as Mr. Simon Peter, father. Employer's name was Solmon Jackson of Weidman. Richard was described as 5 ft 6 inches, 135 lbs, black eyes, black hair, dark complexion.

Isabella County Times-News - 8 Jan 1942

Simon registered for the draft on 27 Apr 1942. He gave his birth as 18 Jun 1886 in Deerfield, Michigan. The person who would always know his address was Frank Peters, employer was self - laborer. Simon was described as 5ft 8 inches, 145 lbs, brown eyes, brown hair, dark complexion. He had a protuding bone on back of right hand due to fracture.

Brother Frank also registered for the draft on 27 Apr 1942. He gave his birth as 12 Mar 1888 in Mt. Pleasant. The person who would always know his address was William Block, employer was William Block. Frank was described as 5 ft 8 inches, 170 lbs, with black eyes and hair, and dark complexion. He had a scar on right side from appendicitis operation.

Grandson Julius Simon Peters, son of Wilfred and Julia, was born 15 Jul 1942.

Grandson Duane Pelcher, son of Tooley and Nellie, was said to be born in 1942.

Isabella County Times-News - 16 Dec 1943

Son Richard, 28, married Nancy Hart, 33, daughter of Thomas Hart and Emma Williams on 21 Nov 1944 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by W. K. Pitman, Minister Church of Christ.

Isabelle County Times-News - 8 Nov 1945

Isabelle County Times-News - 22 Nov 1945

Twin granddaughters, Ann Patricia and Patricia Ann, daughters of Wilfred and Julia, were born 29 May 1946.

Granddaughter Betty Lou wrote to Santa

Isabelle County Times-News - 12 Dec 1946

Granddaughters' letters to Santa

Isabella County Times-News - 4 Dec 1947

Isbella Daily Times-News - 11 Dec 1947

Grandkids' letters to Santa

Isabella Daily Times-News - 9 Dec 1948

Daughter-in-law Julia died 11 Jun 1949. Her age was given as 36 years, 11 months, 5 days, birthdate as 6 Jul 1912 in Nottawa, Isabella, Michigan. Her husband was Wilford Peters, age 38, parents Peter Alta and Emma Jackson. Cause of death was Malnutrition from an operation for removal of part of right lung - could not eat. Burial was in Rosebush. Informant was Wilford Peters.