b. 1805, in Massachusetts; d. February 28, 1856, in Washington, D.C. Peters was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts but came to Peoria, Illinois, in 1837 to practice law. He was active in Democratic politics and served as a member of the Illinois constitutional convention of 1848. In 1855, Peters was appointed the first judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit and held that position until his death.