John H. Peters was born in Connecticut in 1829. Peters studied law and headed west to practice law in Illinois, moving to Delhi, Iowa, in 1853. When the Civil War started, Peters raised Company B, 4th Iowa Cavalry, serving as its captain. Peters received promotions to major (June 20, 1863) and then lieutenant colonel (Sep. 2, 1863).During Price's 1864 invasion of Missouri, Peters fought in Independence, at the Big Blue River (Byram's Ford), Mine Creek, Little Osage River, and at Charlot's Farm. Peters mustered out of service in August 1865, returning to Delhi, Iowa, where he practiced law until 1900.
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