Peter Fifer

Washington's First Mayor

Peter Fifer was born in Rockingham County, Virginia in 1821.  At the age of 21 he relocated to our area, farming for a time, then evolved to a buyer/seller of grain and stock. He started the Fifer & Company grain and stock business in Peoria in 1866, a company that thrived well beyond his death.

On March 2, 1878 a special election was held in Washington to decided if it should have city organization under state laws.  The vote was 2-1 in favor in the city, and as a result a mayor was needed.  On April 16, 1878 the first mayoral election was held in Washington with Peter Fifer emerging the victor.  He would serve one term.

Fifer lived in the house at what is now 105 Zinser Place for a good portion of his time in Washington.  Later in his life he would move to Peoria.

Fifer married Mary Curtis in 1843.  They had four children: Cordelia, Inez, Charles, and Ellie.  In 1885 he was stricken with a kidney disease and was declining for weeks.  During this time his wife Mary suddenly died of heart disease, a shock to all.  Peter Fifer's condition had deteriorated to such a level that it is not believed he was told about his wife's death before his eventual passing two weeks later.  Both are buried in Glendale Cemetery.

In 1865 famed portrait artists Louis Lussier completed portraits of Peter and Mary, seen below.  Lussier did portraits of many Washington dignitaries of the time and has had his work shown at the Smithsonian.