BIOGRAPHY: Jacob Brill Peters, M.D.; Walden, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

JACOB BRILL PETERS, M. D., a practicing physician of Walden, is a man well
worthy of the confidence and good-will of the people, for to natural ability
he has added a careful and thorough medical training and an earnest desire to
benefit his fellow-men. He is a warm-hearted, generous man, of jovial
disposition, and his very presence in a sick-room is the precursor of coming
aid and returning health. He holds a position in the hearts of his friends
held by no other, and receives the patronage of many of the best people of
Walden.

Dr. Peters is a native of New York, his birth occurring in Beekman, Dutchess
County, January 1853. His parents were Theodore and Mary (Brill) Peters, the
former of whom was a native of the same county. For many years he resided on
the old homestead, but now makes his home with a son, Thomas E., whose home is
in Dutchess County, in the town of Beekman. The Doctor and a brother still own
the old home place.

Jacob B. remained on the home farm until attaining his eighteenth year, and
attended the common school. He was subsequently a student in the Wesleyan
Academy, located at Wilbraham, Mass., and when eighteen began teaching,
working his own way through college. He took a two-years course in scientific
and civil engineering at Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., and continued to
teach at Poughquag, Dutchess County, for two years. He then went to Tioronda,
where he was Principal of a graded school for four years. During the last year
of his stay there he began the study of medicine, and at the close of the
school term went to New York City, and entered the medical department of the
University of the City of New York, graduating in the Class of '85, and
completing the regular three-year course in two years. On a competitive
examination he was given the third place in the Workhouse and Almshouse
Hospital of that city. He devoted six months to the position of assist-ant,
and then for six months filled the position of house physician and surgeon,
all of which proved excellent training for his later life. He received the
benefit of association in a profession-al capacity with noted physicians and
professors, and by improving his opportunities gained a wide experience.

In the month of October, 1886, the Doctor located in Walden and began
practice, succeeding Dr. Gouverneur Millspaugh, at his death. Here he has
continued in practice, and, as has been stated, has a large and growing
patronage. He de-votes his entire time and attention to his practice, and has
been especially successful in the treatment of heart and lung troubles. He is
a mem-ber of the Orange County Medical Society, and is well known in that
intelligent body.

In Tuckahoe, Westchester County, occurred the marriage of Dr. Peters and Miss
Adeline Lewis, the date of the event being October 3, 1878. She is a finely
educated and highly accomplished woman, and before her marriage gave private
instruction in music. Her home was formerly in Kingston. To this union have
been born three children, namely: Jennie L., Theodore and Lewis. The family
are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are very prominent in
the workings of that body. The Doctor is a Trustee of the organization, and
was President of the Building Committee, which had in charge the erection of
the new church building. This was completed in 1894, and was dedicated in
April of that year. The building is very handsome, and was erected at a cost
of $20,000.

Dr. Peters is a very enthusiastic Republican, and can be depended upon to
stand by the candidates of his party. Besides his office practice and general
patronage he is examiner for several insurance companies, and has faithfully
performed his duties in this capacity. The family residence, which is
comfortable and hospitable, is located on Chestnut Street, near the High
Bridge, and is a place where their many friends delight to spend an enjoyable
evening. Socially the Doctor is identified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and is also a member of the Masonic order. He is also connected with
the Sons of St. George, an English order.