The bar of Schenectady numbers among its able young representatives Roy W. Peters, of Wemple, Peters & Wemple, one of the leading law firms of the city, with offices at No. 514 State street. He has also served as assistant district attorney since his appointment to that position on the 1st of January, 1923. A lifelong resident of Schenectady, he was born here on the 10th of July, 1889, his parents being Alonzo and Alice (Webber) Peters. The father, who had also spent his life in Schenectady, was a well known hardware merchant who conducted one of the oldest establishments of its kind in the city, at No. 123 South Ferry street, specializing in the sale of stoves. He has served as alderman of the first ward and also as water commissioner and has long been numbered among Schenectady's public-spirited and esteemed citizens as well as successful business men. His death occurred on September 27, 1924. His wife, a native of England, passed away on the 28th of December, 1922.
In his youth Roy W. Peters attended the grade and high schools of his native city and received his more advanced education in Union College, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1912. Having determined upon a professional career as a life work, he then matriculated in the Albany Law School, which in 1915 conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. Through the intervening period, covering nine years, he has practiced continuously in Schenectady and has gained a well deserved reputation as one of the city's capable and successful attorneys. In 1916 he formed a partnership with Hon. William Wallace Wemple and seven years later, by the admission of the latter's son, W. W. Wemple, Jr., the present firm style of Wemple, Peters & Wemple was adopted. Mr. Peters acted as first assistant corporation counsel under George B. Smith for three years and had served as county attorney for one year, when he resigned to accept the office of assistant district attorney, to which he was appointed on the 1st of January, 1923. He belongs to the Schenectady Bar Association.
On the 10th of October, 1918, Mr. Peters was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCloskey, daughter of John and Sarah McCloskey. Her father died in August, 1924, and her mother has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have two children: Sara, who was born May 23, 1920; and Roy W. Peters, Jr., born on May 7, 1924. The family resides at No. 63 Van Antwerp road.
Politically Mr. Peters is a stalwart democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. George's Episcopal church, in which he is an usher. He is a director of the Young Men's Christian Association and fraternally is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to St. George's Lodge No. 6, F. and A. M., of which he is an officer; and St. George's Chapter, R. A. M. He is also connected with Alpha Zeta, a high school fraternity, and has membership in the Chamber of Commerce. At the time of the World war he enlisted for service with Albany Base Hospital but was discharged at the end of two months, by reason of the fact that there were too many men in that department. Subsequently, having been drafted, he was put in limited service and would have received a commission if the armistice had been delayed a little longer. He did effective work, however, as a Four-Minute man and as a member of the advisory draft board. His course has ever been characterized by devotion to duty and fidelity to principle, and all who know him attest the fact that the sterling traits of his character are many.