They had to grind their wheat for bread in coffee mills. Everything was dear and scarce, Milwaukee being the nearest market, 140 miles away, even lumber had to be hauled by teams from there. The price of common lumber was $45 per 1000 feet. In 1855 the family left Marquette county and spent some months at Pine Grove, Adams county. The next year they came to Little Suamico, Oconto county, being among the first settlers there. They commenced lumbering and the manufacture of lumber in what has been long known as Petersville, where her husband Herman Peters, died 16 years ago, leaving Mrs. Peters and four children, one son John Peters, and three daughters.
Helen married Chester Winans; Julia married George Olsen; Rowena married David Wedgewood. Herman Peters left the business to his son John and son-in-law Winans and Olsen. Mrs. Peters married Jacob Rech in 1879, and lived at her old home until called away by death, leaving a husband, one son and daughter, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to mourn her loss. But they do not mourn as those having no hope, they all look forward to a happy reunion in that beautiful city where sin and sorrow will be unknown, and death will never enter in. Mrs. Rech was well prepared for the change, and expressed a longing desire to go and be with Jesus. She was well acquainted with the bible. Rev. W. Thomas stated at the funeral, “The first time I visited Mrs. Rech, she was in a bed that proved to be her death bed. She was one of the happiest persons I have ever met, and resigned to her lot. Although she had been at times unconscious, she was fully conscious then. She spoke so composedly of the change and her hope, yea, more, her confidence and quoted many appropriate passages of scripture."
She passed away on the morning of June 16th, on the 18th was laid
to rest in the cemetery at Little Suamico by the side of her first husband,
where a large number of friends and neighbors gathered, showing the respect
they held for her and the family. The funeral services were conducted by
Rev. W. Thomas, in the school house, at Little Suamico.