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Usually listed that way, but in his biography in A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, which we print below, he is listed as U. J. Lincoln Peoples, suggesting that “Lincoln” may have been the given name he used familiarly.
Peoples made a specialty of schools, though he had the usual wide-ranging practice that included everything from commercial blocks to middle-class houses. He got his start in the offices of Burnham & Root just as they were beginning to plan the World’s Columbian Exposition, so he would have seen huge projects managed and learned much that was valuable in the management end.
Here is his biography from A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, by John W. Jordan, vol. III, pp. 448–449. Lewis Publishing Company, 1908.
U. J. LINCOLN PEOPLES, among the most skilled architects in Greater Pittsburg, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1865, the son of William and Elizabeth (Taylor) Peoples.
The father, William Peoples, now deceased, was a man of prominence. He was born in Mount Lebanon, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1833, and died in 1896. He was the son of Hugh Peoples, of Mount Lebanon. He received a good public school education and afterward mastered the trade of a stair-builder in Pittsburg. He came to be known as one of the best in his line in all this vicinity, and followed it for over forty years, conducting an extensive business, with his works and office in Allegheny City, but whose work covered a large area of territory. He was a diligent student in architecture and compiled a work on the same, known as "Peoples’ Pocket Stair-Builder and Carpenter’s Hand-book." This book is in common use to-day. In his declining years he associated himself with his son, U. J. Lincoln Peoples, as the superintendent of the son’s business. He was an active member in the Methodist Episcopal church and served as a member of the board of trustees many years. Politically he was a supporter of the Republican party. He owned considerable property at the time of his death.
He married Miss Elizabeth Taylor, born in Allegheny City. By this union were born ten children, of whom the following are now living: Emma, wife of Joseph Williams, of Pittsburg: the mother of one daughter—E. Otho, of Brooklyn, New York, married and has a family. U. J. L., subject. Carrie, wife of John Elser, of Los Angeles, California. Ida, wife of Joseph Wallace, of Swissvale, Pennsylvania, and the mother of three children.
U. J. Lincoln Peoples, subject, received his primary education in the public schools of Alleghey City, and later graduated from the University of Illinois, at Urbana, with the class of 1890, in architecture. He then spent two years in the employ of Burnham and Root, noted architects of Chicago, who executed much of the work connected with the World’s Fair buildings. After he finished his work in Chicago he took charge of an office in Memphis, Tennessee, for C. C. Burks, and later went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and remained for a time at his profession. He then came to Pittsburg and engaged in business for himself. His office is situated in the Times building, corner of Smithfield and Fourth avenue. He has executed plans for nine-tenths of the school buildings in his county, many of which have been built to stand as monuments to his skill, and among which may here be enumerated: The Home school building, in the Fourteenth ward of Pittsburg; the Allegheny Sixth ward school; Larimer school; Monongahela Trust building, etc. He makes a specialty of asylums and courthouses, large business houses and residences. Perhaps no man in his profession is better known and stands higher for the excellence of his workmanship as an up-to-date architect than Mr. Peoples. He is a member of the East Liberty Presbyterian church, corner of Penn and Highland avenues. In politics he is a Republican, but never takes an active part, simply exercising his right of franchise. He was made a Mason by Davage Lodge No. 374, F. and A. M., and is a past worshipful master of that body. He also belongs to Cyrus Chapter No. 280, and Chartiers Commandery No. 78.
Mr. Peoples was united in marriage, September 16, 1891, to Emma D. Utz, born in Cincinnati, Ohio. To them have been born: Edith Virginia, born in Allegheny City, December 9, 1896, and U. J. Lincoln, Jr., born December 26, 1900.
Here is a list of some of the buildings still standing that were designed by Peoples. For more information, you can check Father Pitt’s Great Big List of Buildings and Architects, which is kept up to date with Father Pitt’s latest research.
Minersville Public School, 3401 Milwaukee Street, Upper Hill (1890)
Williams House, 1237 Palo Alto Street, Mexican War Streets (1892 or after)
Larimer School, Larimer Avenue and Winslow Street, Larimer (1896)
Wightman School, 5604 Solway Street, Squirrel Hill (1897)
Newmeyer School, 2301 Hampton Avenue, Swissvale (1913)
W. C. Reitz House, Wightman Street at Raleigh Street, Squirrel Hill (1914 or after)
Rochester High School, 350 Adams Street, Rochester (1915 or after)
Mrs. C. Sunstein House, 6306 Beacon Street, Squirrel Hill (1916)
New Elmore Theater (Mount Olivet Baptist Church), 2312 Centre Avenue, Hill (1923)