Exhibit 23.1
                       Consent of Independent Accountants




Plan Administrator
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Retirement Savings Plan
Marietta, Ohio

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form
S-8 (Registration No. 33-1803 and Registration No. 333-108383) of the Peoples
Bancorp Inc. Retirement Savings Plan of our report dated May 12, 2004, on our
audit of the statement of net assets available for benefits of Peoples Bancorp
Inc. Retirement Savings Plan as of December 31, 2003, and the related statement
of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31,
2003, and the accompanying supplemental schedule, which report appears in the
Annual Report on Form 11-K/A of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Retirement Savings Plan.



                                                     /s/ BKD LLP



Cincinnati, Ohio
June 23, 2004