PETERS, Samuel Frank (1847-1926), son of Samuel Peters, was born in Yeovil, Co. Somerset, England on 7 November 1847 and at the age of five years was brought to Canada by his family who settled in London, Ont. Educated at local schools there, he received his early training in architecture under his father, and in 1867 left for Toronto to article with William Irving, and to attend classes in engineering at the University of Toronto. In early 1870 he left Canada and moved to Rochester, N.Y. where he was recorded working as a draughtsman '...at 64 Powers Building' (Rochester City Directory, 1870, 168). The Powers Building, a well-known landmark, was home to the offices of Andrew J. Warner, a leading Rochester architect, so it may be presumed that Peters was working for Warner, and remained in that office for at least a year before returning to London in 1872 to join his father in the new firm of Peters & Son (see list of works under Samuel Peters & Son). After the death of his father in February 1882 he became a partner in a succession of firms in both London and Winnipeg, including:
Peters & Jones, London, Ont. 1883-85 (with Charles A. Jones)
Peters, Jones & McBride, London, Ont. 1886 - Feb. 1891 (with Charles A. Jones and Hubert C. McBride)
S. Frank Peters, Winnipeg 1893-96
Peters & Head, Winnipeg & Kenora 1897 (with Edward F. Head)
S. Frank Peters, Winnipeg 1898-1902
S.F. & W.A. Peters, Winnipeg 1903-06 (with Wesley A. Peters)
S.F. Peters, Winnipeg 1907-1914
He was a remarkably prolific architect, and maintained a successful practice in western Ontario and in Manitoba lasting more than forty years. His name can be linked to nearly one hundred commercial, institutional, ecclesiastical and residential buildings executed in London and surrounding towns, and later in western Canada where his work can be found in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Peters was also active in military affairs from a young age, and participated in the Northwest Rebellion in 1885, but suffered a serious arm injury during battle. He sought treatment in New York City, but this proved unsuccessful and his arm was later amputated (Daily Advertiser [London], 19 Feb. 1886, 8; Free Press [London], 17 March 1886, 8). Despite this disability, he then returned to London to continue his professional career. His professionalism and personal ambition was, apparently, frequently at odds with his quick temper; in 1890 he was charged and fined for assaulting a neighbour over 'the outcome of a petty squabble'(Free Press [London], 13 June 1890, 8; Daily Advertiser [London], 16 June 1890, 8).
He moved to Winnipeg in 1892 and obtained a number of important commissions there, either under his own name, or in collaboration with others. He opened a branch office in Kenora in partnership with Edward F. Head (1897), and later invited his brother Wesley A. Peters to join him in partnership in Winnipeg (1903-06). The lure of rapid building growth in western Canada was a favourite subject for Peters, and he wrote two essays on the subject, entitled 'Architectural Possibilities in the West', both published in 1910 (C.R., xxiv, 14 Sept. 1910, 45-6; Const., iii, Oct. 1910, 78-9). Peters was a founding member of the Manitoba Association of Architects, and served as its first President in 1906. He retired from the profession in May 1918 and died at St. Vital, Man. on 29 May 1926 (obit. Free Press [Winnipeg], 31 May 1926, 3; Winnipeg Tribune, 31 May 1926, 15; biog. and port in C.A.B., x, Jan. 1897, 4; biog. Who's Who in Western Canada, 1911, 310; Who's Who and Why in Canada, vi, 1915-16, 499-500; biog. and port. Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 13 Feb. 1924, 4; inf. R.I.B.A., Directory of British Architects 1834-1914, 2001, ii, 360)
PETERS & JONES (works in London unless noted)
WATSON, YOUNG & CO., Richmond Street near York Street, two warehouses for G. Gibbons and R.C. Struthers, 1883 (Free Press [London], 10 May 1883, 1; Daily Advertiser [London], 29 Dec. 1883, 5, descrip.)
DUFFERIN AVENUE, at William Street, residence for William T. Edge, 1883 (Free Press [London], 10 May 1883, 1)
TALBOT STREET, at York Street, residence and office for Dr. John M. Fraser, 1883 (Free Press [London], 10 May 1883, 1)
MAPLE AVENUE, east of Queen Street, London South, residence for William R. Hobbs, 1883 (Daily Advertiser [London], 17 July 1883, 2, t.c.)
ST. GEORGE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, Wharncliffe Road, new Sunday School, 1884 (Daily Advertiser [London], 21 May 1884, 7, t.c.)
WORTLEY ROAD, at Elmwood Avenue, residence for William J. Clark, 1884 (Daily Advertiser [London], 21 June 1884, 5, t.c.)
HOBBS, OSBORN & HOBBS CO., Richmond Street near Bathurst Street, warehouse, 1884 (Daily Advertiser [London], 22 Sept. 1884, 5, t.c.)
CRONYN MEMORIAL CHURCH, Queen's Avenue at William Street, new Rectory, 1884 (Daily Advertiser [London], 1 Nov. 1884, 6, descrip.)
SACRED HEART CONVENT, Queen's Avenue, new School House, 1885; addition to Convent, 1887 (Daily Advertiser [London], 1 June 1885, 8, descrip.; Free Press [London], 8 July 1887, 3, descrip.)
ANGLICAN SEE HOUSE, a residence for Bishop Baldwin, St. James Street at St. George Street, 1885 (Daily Advertiser [London], 22 June 1885, 8)
PETERS, JONES & McBRIDE (works in London unless noted)
WENDIGO, ONT., Methodist Church, 1886 (Daily Advertiser [London], 4 March 1886, 3, descrip.)
UNION BLOCK, Dundas Street near Clarence Street, a commercial block for Brown, Gurd, Short & Kirkpatrick, 1887 (Daily Advertiser [London], 24 March 1887, 3, 8, t.c.; 16 Sept. 1887, 3, descrip., but lacking attribution to architect)
STANLEY STREET, residence for J.F. Sherlock, 1887 (Daily Advertiser [London], 20 April 1887, 5, t.c.)
GRAND AVENUE, at Ridout Street South, 'Idlewyld', a mansion for Charles S. Hyman, 1886 (Daily Advertiser [London], 29 May 1886, 5, t.c.)
REID BROTHERS CO., Clarence Street, warehouse, 1886; additional warehouse, 1890 (Free Press [London], 24 June 1886, 7, t.c.; Daily Advertiser [London], 21 April 1890, 2, t.c.)
LONDON & SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY, Passenger Station, Freight House and engine house, 1887 (Daily Advertiser [London], 15 Jan. 1887, 5, t.c.)
MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION, Bathurst Street, 1887 (Free Press [London], 12 May 1887, 3)
HYMAN STREET, pair of houses for John Esson, 1887 (Daily Advertiser [London], 11 June 1887, 5, t.c.)
STRATFORD, ONT., Ancient Order of Forester's Hall, Ontario Street, 1887; burned 1960; facade demolished 1963 (Free Press [London], 30 July 1887, 9, t.c.)
EXETER, ONT., Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church, 1887-88 (Free Press [London], 30 March 1889, 7, descrip.; Dominion Illustrated, 30 May 1891, 514-15, illus. & descrip.)
OXFORD STREET, residence for Samuel Gibson, 1888 (Daily Advertiser [London], 30 June 1888, 2, t.c.)
RICHMOND STREET, warehouse for Charles S. Hyman, 1889 (Free Press [London], 26 April 1889, 3)
LONDON SOUTH, New Guthrie Home, 1889 (Daily Advertiser [London], 9 Oct. 1889, 2, t.c.)
MASSEY MANUFACTURING CO., Talbot Street near York Street, new warehouse, 1889 (Free Press [London], 13 Nov. 1889, 8, descrip.)
PETROLIA, ONT., mansion for John H. Fairbank, Petrolia Street, 1890 (inf. from Charles O. Fairbank, Petrolia)
ST. MARY'S, ONT., residence for R. Dickson, 1890 (Daily Advertiser [London], 31 May 1890, 2, t.c.)
E. LEONARD & SONS, York Street at Colborne Street, engine house, boiler house and foundry, 1890 (Free Press [London], 23 Oct. 1890, 5, t.c.)
S.F. PETERS (works in Winnipeg unless noted)
BANK OF COMMERCE, Main Street near York Street, interior alterations and fittings for the new bank, 1893 (Winnipeg Tribune, 30 March 1893, 4, descrip.)
CANADA RUBBER CO., Princess Street, 1893 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 12 July 1893, 6, descrip.)
SELKIRK PUBLIC PARK, Flora Street at Charles Street, design and landscape layout for the park, 1894 (Winnipeg Tribune, 7 April 1894, 4, illus. & descrip.)
CENTRAL PARK, Cumberland Avenue at Carlton Street, design and landscape layout for the park, 1894 (Winnipeg Tribune, 7 April 1894, 4, illus. & descrip.)
REGINA, SASK., St. Paul's Anglican Church, McIntyre Street at 12th Avenue, 1894 (Leader [Regina], 14 June 1894, 8, descrip.; 28 Feb. 1895, 1, descrip.; Calgary Daily Herald, 1 Feb. 1895, 1, descrip.)
OSENBRUGGE FURRIERS CO., Main Street, retail store, 1894 (Winnipeg Tribune, 22 Aug. 1894, 5)
E HUNTER & CO., Portage Avenue, retail store, 1894 (Winnipeg Tribune, 22 Aug. 1894, 5)
DONALDSON BLOCK, Portage Avenue at Main Street, major alterations, 1894 (C.R., v, 13 Sept. 1894, 2)
EDMONTON STREET, residence for A.V. McCleneghan, 1894 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 3 Nov. 1894, 1)
(with George C. Browne) WESLEY HALL, Portage Avenue, now part of the University of Winnipeg, 1894-95 (Winnipeg Tribune, 22 Aug. 1894, 5, descrip.; Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 13 July 1893, 6; 15 Jan. 1894, 5, illus. & descrip.; 30 Nov. 1894, 4)
WESTERN CANADA LOAN & SAVINGS CO., Main Street, reconstruction of office block after fire, 1895 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 16 Feb. 1895, 8; 1 March 1895, 8)
DOLL BLOCK, Main Street near Bannatyne Avenue, extensive alterations and addition, for W.F. Doll, 1895 (Winnipeg Tribune, 5 April 1895, 5, descrip.)
J.H. ASHDOWN CO., Bannatyne Avenue at Rorie Street, warehouse, 1895 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 18 March 1895, 8; Winnipeg Tribune, 26 April 1895, 4, descrip.; 12 Oct. 1895, 5, illus. & descrip.; Winnipeg, 1985 -The Year Past, 1987, 23-6, illus.; Leonard K. Eaton, Gateways Cities & Other Essays, 1989, 101-04, illus.; H. Kalman, History of Canadian Architecture, 1994, 362, illus.)
FORT ROUGE, residence for Dr. W.A.B. Hutton, Mayfair Avenue, 1895 (Manitoba Morning Free Press [Winnipeg], 4 May 1895, 3)
FORT ROUGE, residence for E.B. Lemon, Roslyn Road, 1895 (Manitoba Morning Free Press [Winnipeg], 6 June 1895, 3, t.c.)
MAIN STREET, at Anderson Avenue, residence for Canon George F. Coombes, or St. John's College, 1896 (C.R., vii, 23 July 1896, 3)
PARSON'S COLD STORAGE WAREHOUSE, Lombard Avenue, 1896 (Winnipeg Tribune, 16 Sept. 1895, 8; Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 22 Aug. 1896, 8, descrip.; C.A.B., x, Feb. 1897, 38)
PETERS & HEAD (works in Kenora, Ont.)
MAIN STREET, commercial block for Robinson & Brydon, to be occupied by the Imperial Bank and a dry goods store, 1897 (C.R., viii, 4 Feb. 1897, 2; Rat Portage Miner [Kenora], 17 Feb. 1897)
HILLIARD HOUSE, Main Street, alterations and improvements, 1897 (C.R., viii, 18 March 1897, 2)
JULIA STREET, residence for William A. Weir, 1897 (C.R., viii, 18 March 1897, 2)
MAIN STREET, commecial block for George Drewry, 1897 (C.R., viii, 18 March 1897, 2)
MAIN STREET, commercial block for Gibson Brothers, 1897 (C.R., viii, 18 March 1897, 2)
MAIN STREET, commercial block for Jacob Hose, 1897 (C.R., viii, 18 March 1897, 2)
KEEWATIN, ONT., School House, 1897 (C.R., viii, 29 April 1897, 2, t.c.)
S.F. PETERS (works in Winnipeg unless noted)
JOSEPH MAW & CO., William Avenue at King Street, warehouse, 1897 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 8 March 1897, 8, descrip.)
DOMINION BANK, Princess Street, renovation and refitting of the block formerly occupied by Ontario Glove Co., 1897 (Manitoba Morning Free Press [Winnipeg], 19 May 1897, 8)
NEEPAWA, MAN., Anglican Church, 1897 (C.R., viii, 10 June 1897, 1, t.c.)
LONDON BUILDING, for Osler, Hammond & Nanton, Main Street, 1898 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 16 May 1898, 6; Winnipeg, 1984-The Year Past, 1986, 33-4, illus.)
WHITE & MANAHAN BLOCK, Main Street near Market Avenue, 1898; altered 1921 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 16 June 1898, 5, t.c.; Winnipeg, 1992-1993 The Year Past, 1995, 51-2, illus. & descrip.)
FERNIE, B.C., Bank of Commerce, 1898 (Winnipeg Tribune, 26 July 1898, 4; Vancouver Daily World, 30 July 1898, 8)
BOYD'S BAKERY, Portage Avenue at Spence Street, major addition and alterations for W.J. Boyd, 1899 (Winnipeg Tribune, 27 April 1899, 4; 20 June 1899, 8, descrip.)
SMITH STREET, residence for A.M. Stowe, 1899 (Winnipeg Tribune, 29 April 1899, 5)
FORT ROUGE, residence for G.W. Allan, Roslyn Place, 1899 (Winnipeg Tribune, 29 April 1899, 5)
(with John M. Moore) WINNIPEG, MAN., McClary Manufacturing Co., Bannatyne Avenue, warehouse and factory, 1899; Annex 1912 (C.R., x, 26 April 1899, 3; Winnipeg, 1987-The Year Past, 1989, 25-6, illus.; dwgs. at Univ. of Western Ontario, Moore Coll.)
MANITOBA COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, Notre Dame Avenue near Gertie Street, 1899 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 29 June 1899, 2, t.c.)
CUMBERLAND AVENUE, residence for Charles Flexon, 1899 (C.R., x, 6 Sept. 1899, 3, t.c.)
TEMPLE APARTMENTS, Donald Street near Ellice Avenue, for J.R. Gibner, 1900 (The Commercial [Winnipeg], 24 Feb. 1900, 789, t.c.; Manitoba Morning Free Press [Winnipeg], 26 Feb. 1900, 2; City of Winnipeg b.p. 43, 12 April 1900)
JOSEPH MAW & CO., McFarlane Street at Point Douglas Avenue, warehouse, 1901 (C.R., xii, 6 Nov. 1901, 2; Winnipeg Tribune, 13 Nov. 1901, 2, t.c.)
FAIRCHILD CO., Princess Street, warehouse, 1902 (C.R., xiii, 5 March 1902, 2)
COCKSHUTT PLOW CO., Princess Street at Alexander Avenue, a 4 storey warehouse, 1902 (C.R., xiii, 27 Aug. 1902, 2; Winnipeg b.p. 695, 4 Sept. 1902; Brantford Daily Expositor, 29 Oct. 1902, 2, illus. & detailed descrip.)
S.F. & W.A. PETERS (works in Winnipeg unless noted)
COLONY STREET, residence for William T. Alexander, 1903 (C.R., xiv, 25 March 1903, 3)
PRINCESS STREET, warehouse for R.L. Patterson, 1904 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 20 June 1904, 2, t.c.)
MASSEY HARRIS CO., William Avenue, addition to warehouse, 1904 (Free Press [Winnipeg], 24 Nov. 1904, 19; Winnipeg, 1983-The Year Past, 1984, 71-2, illus.)
MANITOBA CLUB, Broadway at Fort Street, 1904-05 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 26 Nov. 1904, 17, illus. & descrip.; 3 Oct. 1905, 6, illus. and descrip., but incorrectly attributed to 'Pettris Bros., Architects'; C.A.B., xvii, Oct. 1904, 173, descrip.)
PILKINGTON BROTHERS, Market Street East, warehouse, 1904 (C.A.B., xvii, Nov. 1904, 189; Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 12 Aug. 1905, 19, descrip.; 6 Dec. 1906, 36-7, illus.)
STRATHCLAIR, MAN., Town Hall, 1904-05 (Minnedosa Tribune, 16 March 1905, 2; Western Muncipal News, xii, Dec. 1906, 279, illus. & descrip.)
OSBORNE STREET, at Proud Street, residence for Dr. James A. Devine, 1905 (C.R., xvi, 12 April 1905, 6, t.c.; Free Press [Winnipeg], 30 Oct. 1905, 30, descrip.)
CONSOLIDATED PLATE GLASS CO., Fort Street, addition of three floors, 1905 (C.R., xvi, 3 May 1905, 6)
BANK OF MONTREAL, Stradbrook Avenue at Osborne Street, 1905 (Winnipeg, Monuments to Finance, ii, 1982, 98-9, 125, illus.; dwgs. at Bank of Montreal, Premises Dept., Toronto)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., residence for J.D. Irvine, 1906 (C.R., xvii, 28 March 1906, 2)
S.F. PETERS (works in Winnipeg unless noted)
PRINCESS STREET, near William Avenue, warehouse for R.W. Patterson, 1904 (Winnipeg b.p. 1228, 15 Aug 1904)
J.C. WILSON CO., McDermot Avenue near Main Street, factory and warehouse, 1906 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 6 Dec. 1906, 36)
WINNIPEG CRICKET CLUB, a new clubhouse and pavilion "...on the Driving Park grounds", 1907 (Manitoba Morning Free Press [Winnipeg], 24 April 1907, 14, descrip.)
HAMIOTA, MAN., addition to Public School, 1908 (C.R., xxii, 17 June 1908, 27, t.c.)
SASKATOON, SASK., Cockshutt Plow Co., 21st Street West, major addition to existing warehouse, 1910 (Daily Phoenix [Saskatoon], 21 June 1910, 8, descrip.; C.R., xxiv, 10 Aug. 1910, 26)
CALGARY, ALTA., Cockshutt Plow Co., 12th Avenue South at Centre Street East, warehouse, 1912 (dwgs. at Univ. of Calgary, Canadian Architectural Archives, 37A-7825)
CORNISH PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY, West Gate at Sherbrook Street, 1914; still standing in 2022 (Winnipeg Telegram, 11 Sept. 1914, 3, t.c.; Winnipeg, 1992-1993 The Year Past, 1995, 71-4, illus & descrip.)
COMPETITIONS
WINNIPEG, MAN., The Davis Block, King Street at Market Street, 1894. Peters was one of three architects who submitted a design for this large commercial block for Mr. Davis (Winnipeg Tribune, 3 April 1894, 8). His plans were set aside and Charles H. Wheeler won the commission.
OTTAWA, ONT., Departmental & Justice Buildings, 1907. The Winnipeg firm of S.F.Peters & W.A. Peters were one of 30 firms who entered this national competition (Evening Journal [Ottawa], 4 Sept. 1907, 1, list of entrants). The juror Edmund Burke ranked their entry in 23rd Place. The winners were E. & W.S. Maxwell of Montreal, but their entry was never built.