Nicholas D. Peters, contractor, was born in Italy, November 1, 1877, the son of Senatro D. and Serafina Barrella Peters. In the year 1887 the parents of Mr. Peters emigrated to America, with their four sons, Frank, Andrew, Peter and Nicholas, and their daughter Mary. They made their home in Utica, where they have resided during the ensuing period of over forty years, becoming widely known and highly respected.
Nicholas D. Peters, since his arrival in the United States at ten years of age, has always maintained his residence in Utica. After two years of schooling he went to work in a local cotton mill. He later became affiliated with the contracting business as laborer and foreman for different concerns, and about the year 1900 started at the head of his own organization. About the year 1902 the firm of N. D. Peters & Company was founded, at which time Mr. Peters admitted all the members of his immediate family into the partnership. This partnership has always remained the same until 1923, when Mr. Peters purchased the interests of his brother Andrew, and the heirs of his brother Frank, who died in 1915.
Nicholas D. Peters has been continually associated with the general contracting business, and in his chosen field has earned a gratifying and well deserved success. For the last quarter of a century he has had the reputation of being one of the most successful and dependable contractors throughout central New York, and he is conceded to be the pioneer of concrete construction in the city of Utica. As general manager of N. D. Peters & Company he has laid hundreds of miles of concrete sidewalks in Utica and surrounding towns, besides concrete foundations, highways, aqueducts, sewers and subways. Among his contracts have been the building of the concrete highway leading to Hamilton College at Clinton, New York, roadways in New Hartford, Oriskany Falls, and other towns and villages adjacent to Utica. In 1924 he was awarded the largest single sewer contract ever let in the city of Utica. The company at present maintains its office and yards at No. 216 Kossuth avenue.
About twenty-five years ago Nicholas D. Peters was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Condon, daughter of Patrick J. Condon of East Florence, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have seven children: Francis, who was born in 1900; Margaret, born in 1902; Charles, born in 1904; Donald, born in 1908; Nicholas, Jr., born in 1912; Mary Rose, born in 1915; and Cecelia, whose natal year was 1917. The family attend St. Agnes' Roman Catholic church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Peters are communicants. They reside at No. 724 Rutger street.
In politics Mr. Peters has always been affiliated with the democratic party. He has membership in the City Club of Utica, the Utica Curling Club, the Kuyahoora Rod and Gun Club, the Associated Employers of Utica, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He served for three years as director of the Utica Chamber of Commerce elected by the people at large, and at one time was director in the Peoples Bank of Utica. At present he is trustee and treasurer of St. Anthony of Padua's Roman Catholic church. His success and prosperity have been the just awards of hard work and perseverance. His life in all respects has been a commendable one, winning for him the esteem, goodwill and confidence of all with whom he has been associated.