Florence Webber Peter and The Home for the Friendless
- kellison71
- Jan 11
- 5 min read
“The reception at the Home for the Friendless yesterday afternoon and evening was all that could be desired and proved a most gratifying success. An interesting sketch of the Home, written by Mrs. George B. Brooks, was read by Mrs. J.B. Peter. The children went through their exercises, and between music, inspecting the commodious and cheerful building and general sociability a very pleasant time was spent.”
-Saginaw Evening News, May 12, 1887.
Florence Webber Peter was the daughter of Nancy M. and William Webber. She and her husband, James B. Peter, shared a home at 544 Millard with her parents. We explored the early history of the family’s home, a massive Second Empire confection - and her sister Frances’ recipe for oat cakes - a couple of weeks ago.
For a brief outline of Florence Webber Peter’s life, we turn to her obituary:
“Mrs. James B. Peter, for many years active in church and charitable work here and a member of one of Saginaw’s best known families, died early today at her home. 536 [in the 1930s the address was changed to 544] Millard street. Mrs. Peter had been in poor health for more than six years and her condition had been serious since early winter.
Florence Webber Peter was born in Milford, Mich., July 7, 1850. The daughter of William L. and Nancy M. Webber. When she was two years old her parents brought her to Saginaw, which had since been her home. Her father was one of the early leaders in Saginaw’s affairs and for many years was an outstanding figure here.
On December 25, 1873, she was married to James B. Peter, well known Saginaw attorney. Five sons were born to them, four dying in infancy, while the fifth, James Webber Peter, died in 1912 at the age of 26 years.
Mrs. Peter was active for many years in the administration of the Home the Friendless, now the Children’s Home, her connection with that institution dating from 1883 and continuing until ill health prevented further active work. She served several terms as its president. She was also an active worker in the First Congregational Church and in charitable and other fields.”
She leaves her husband and one sister, Miss Frances E. Webber of Saginaw.” (The Saginaw News Courier, February 5, 1927.)
Today, many people recognize the Webber – Peter family simply because of their now-demolished Millard Street mansion. However, during their lifetimes, they were known for far more than their financial success and their home. They held leading roles in Saginaw’s social and charitable life. One of the charities with which they were closely associated was the Home for the Friendless.
Established in 1870, “[i]n order to care for infants and children either bereft of parents, or whose parents find it convenient or necessary to place them out of their home while they are at work . . .” ( James C. Mills, A History of Saginaw County, Michigan). Organized and managed by women, who assumed “all responsibility of the maintenance of the home, and to provide necessary funds for the work, the annual rummage sale has become a regular event, the treasury being replenished by upwards of two thousand dollars thereby.”(James C. Mills, A History of Saginaw County, Michigan). When the institution’s name was changed to the Children’s Home in 1925, the paper called the change “A happy decision” and noted “Beside being more pleasing, the later is far more appropriate. The former was made virtually a misnomer by the scrupulous care given its charges.”
Although the name of Home for the Friendless has changed and the mission adjusted to meet the needs of a changing community, the Home for the Friendless continues as Child & Family Services.
This link will take you to additional information about the Home for the Friendless in the Timbertown Log, the publication of the Saginaw Genealogical Society.
This is a link for Child and Family Services website.
The Recipe: Florence Webber Peter’s Home-Made Mustard
Four tablespoonfuls best English mustard*, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 2 teaspoons salad oil, vinegar sufficient to mix thoroughly; celery or Tarragon vinegar if you have it. Put mustard in a bowl and wet with oil, rubbing it with a silver or wooden spoon until it is absorbed. Wet with vinegar to a stiff paste; add salt, pepper, and sugar, and work all together thoroughly, wetting little by little with the vinegar until it can be beaten like cake batter. Beat 5 minutes very hard. (Mrs. Jas. B. Peter, Saginaw Cookbook, published by First Congregational Church, 1929 edition.)
Although we have a photograph of the Webber-Peter family in their dining room, we did not note any mustard being served.
*After 5 minutes of beating mustard, you will need a break. As you relax, may we suggest using the links below to explore the history of that very classic English Mustard – Coleman’s. While using a mustard granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria may be intimidating, Coleman’s is actually quite accessible and modestly priced - and quite wonderful in very midwestern deviled eggs.
CTK Notes:
The preparation is straightforward. The amount of vinegar you add will determine the thickness of the finished mustard. Remember – you can always add more. There is no way to thicken the mustard if you add too much.
This recipe makes a very small quantity of mustard – about 4 – 5 tablespoons. However, you will really not need too much. We found the mustard powder and white pepper combined to provide a pleasant - but aggressive kick.
And, as we beat the mustard by hand for five full and timed minutes, we realized, the Webber-Peter household must have had a cook. They did. The 1900 census lists Elisabeth Kehoe. When she passed away in 1902, the Saginaw Evening News noted:
“The deceased was a woman of about 39 years of age, and was well known and greatly esteemed in the city. She had been housekeeper for Fr. Dalton for about 18 months, prior to that time being of the service of the Webber family for five years or more. Her home was at Gagetown, Tuscola county . . .” (The Saginaw Evening News, December 11, 1902.)