Peters, Arthur J.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Peters, Arthur John, prominent attorney and fraternalist, was born in New Orleans, Nov. 30, 1869; son of Michael and Catherine (Sollinger) Peters, both of whom were born in Rhine-Bavaria, German Empire. They did not meet, however, until after they had reached this country, when they married and settled in New Orleans, La. Michael Peters, the father, was for many years a business man of New Orleans, La., but had retired about 10 years before his death, which occurred at the age of 80 years. He is survived by his wife, who, at this writing, has passed her 81st year. Five children were reared by this couple: Samuel D., Cecelia, wife of James Wilkinson, of New Orleans; William B., New York; Arthur J., and Ida, married to James O. Adams, of New Orleans. Arthur J., the fourth child, was reared and educated in New Orleans, and is a typical representative of those forceful characters, who, by sheer merit, forge their way upward and forward to positions of security and prominence. His success, however, may be attributed largely to his determination and persistence in making his education thorough from the foundation up. After graduating at high school with honors, he next took a finished course in stenography, besides private lessons in Latin, Greek and history, and shortly afterwards was appointed to the position of stenographer to the postmaster at New Orleans, La., from which place he worked upward, through promotion to other places, and finally served as night superintendent of the city delivery. While in the postoffice Mr. Peters became interested in legislation for the betterment of the clerks, and helped organize the National Association of Postoffice Clerks, which has, after many years of persistent agitation and education, secured from congress legislation classifying the clerks, grading their salaries, granting vacations, Sunday closing, etc. He prevailed upon the national association to establish an insurance feature in connection with the association, was the first chairman of the board of trustees, and is affectionately called by the postoffice clerks throughout the country "Father of the Mutual Benefit Auxiliary." He still retains his membership in the local branch. Shortly after entering the postoffice he took up the study of law, and in 1893, took his degree of LL. B. at Tulane university, filling the post of salutatorian for the class. In 1898 he was commissioned a notary public by Gov. Murphy J. Foster, and has acted in that capacity continuously since that date. In March of 1900, he resigned from the government service to take up the active practice of law, and the passing years have each continually added to the demand for his professional advice. He has been chief counsel or associate counsel in a large number of important cases before the supreme and other appellate courts in this state. In state and national politics, Attorney Peters has at all times been an active democrat, but has never aspired to elective office, preferring to devote his time and abilities to the practice of his profession. That Mr. Peters is a believer in the brotherhood of man, is abundantly attested by his affiliation with fraternal orders of the most substantial class. He is a life member, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Masons, and a Noble of the Mystick Shrine, Past Master and treasurer of Hermitage Lodge, No. 98, Free and Accepted Masons, member of Orleans Delta Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons, Supreme Arch of the United Ancient Order of Druids, member of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Knights of Honor. In faith, Mr. Peters is a Methodist, but, while taking an active interest in Bible class work, he is not a church member. He is attorney for the French Market Homestead association, the Reliable Life Insurance Co. and a member of private corporations and institutions, and is also president of the Louisiana Investment & Fiscal Co. As might be expected in the case of a public-spirited lawyer, whose ideals are imbued with a spirit of fraternalism, Mr. Peters is also a member of the American Bar association, the Louisiana Bar association, and the Commercial Law League of America, while his well-known patriotism and state pride have also led him to affiliate with the Louisiana Historical Society, in the transaction of which he has always taken a particularly lively interest. In 1904 Mr. Peters was married to Miss Violet Creevy, of New Orleans, daughter of James J. and Annie (Riley) Creevy.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 355-356. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.