IowaJones/Biographies/T. J. Peak

T. J. Peak–E. C. Peet

Thomas J. Peak
Born September 9, 1813

THOMAS J. PEAK, Monticello; one of the oldest settlers in this section of Jones Co.; is a native of Cheshire Co., N. H., and was born September 9, 1813; when 7 years of age, he went to Vermont and grew up to manhood in that State; coming West at an early age, he settled in Illinois, where he remained until 1837, when he came to Iowa with B. Beardsley; they located claims in what is now Castle Grove Township; they returned to Illinois for the winter, and in the following April they returned and took permanent possession of their claims. On Christmas Day, 1839, Mr. Peak was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca M. Beardsley, a native of Delaware Co., N.Y., and the daughter of B. Beardsley; they were the first couple married in Jones Co.; a marriage license was not as easily procured then as it is now; Mr. Peak had to go to Sugar Grove, Cedar Co., sixty-five miles, taking him four days to procure his license, but he felt well paid for his trouble; they lived on the farm until the spring of 1864, then came to Monticello and engaged in mercantile business and buying stock and grain for a few years; after being in the lumber business a short time, he engaged in the grocery trade; since coming to Monticello, he has visited at one time and another nearly every county in Iowa; the result of his travels were presented at the time to the readers of the Monticello Express in several well-written and interesting letters. Mr. and Mrs. Peak have had five children—Francis, Maria A., now Mrs. Rosa, living in Chicago; Rosalia E. and Andrew J.; they lost their oldest son—William W.; when the war broke out, he enlisted in 1861, in the 4th I.V.C.; after being in the service about one year he came home, on account of sickness; he remained an invalid for three years and died of consumption in June, 1865, aged 26 years. There are only two others now living in this part of the county who have been here as long as Mr. Peak; he has carried dressed pork to Dubuque and sold it for $1 per hundred, and wheat for 371/2 cents per bushel; there were plenty of Indians here when he first came, and he used to talk the Indian language; there are few men of his age as active as he is who have been through the hardships of pioneer life.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 677.

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John R. Pease
Born 1826

JOHN R. PEASE, farmer, Rome Twp., Sec. 8; P.O. Viroqua; born in Massachusetts, in 1826; came to Iowa and settled in Red Oak, Cedar Co., in 1860, and to Jones Co. in 1876. Owns 100 acres, and made the improvements. In politics, Republican; in religion, Methodist. His wife, Catherine McAffee, born in Antrim, North of Ireland, in 1837; came to America in 1846; settled in Connecticut. Married in 1848; have five children—Irene (now Mrs. George A. Wilson, in Kansas), Emma J., died in February, 1879, Margaret B., Phinies C., died in 1850, James F., died in 1869.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 650.

Albert L. Peet
Born September 14, 1847

ALBERT L. PEET, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Martelle; born September 14, 1847, in Jones Co., Iowa; he owns 325 acres of land. Married Miss Ella Zimmerman September 12, 1875; she was born in Greenfield Township, Jones Co.; have two children—Julius D. and Susanna. Democrat.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 570.

C. S. Peet
Born October 26, 1873

C. S. Peet, well known in business circles of Greenfield township as a dealer in grain, coal and feed, is also the efficient rural free delivery carrier of route No. 1, Martelle, Iowa, which position he has filled for about a year and a half. A native of this township, he was born on the 26th of October, 1873, and is the fourth son in a family of nine sons whose parents are E. G. and Oriana (Chapin) Peet, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he remained upon the home farm, assisting in its operation until 1903. He then went to Pennsylvania, where for a time he was variously engaged, and later entered the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with whom he continued until 19--. In that year he returned to his native township and since that time has been identified with the elevator business, dealing in grain, coal and feed. His enterprise has already reached gratifying proportions and is constantly expanding in volume. He has made a close study of the business and keeps well informed on the conditions of the market, so that he is able to buy and sell to the best advantage. For a year and a half he has served as the rural free delivery carrier of route No. 1, of Martelle, in which capacity he is proving efficient and entirely satisfactory, while his genial disposition has made him popular throughout the community.

Mr. Peet was married on the 6th of April, 1904, to Miss Myrtie E. Pierce, a native of East Smithfield, Pennsylvania, her parents being Charles and Nellie (Wood) Pierce, prominent farming people of East Smithfield. She had one sister who passed away in infancy, while two brothers survive, namely: Harry L., residing in Greenfield township; and Loren A., making his home with his parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peet was born one daughter, Florence Lillian, aged four years. The mother passed away on the 28th of September, 1907, in Rochester, Minnesota, whither she had gone for her health, and the little daughter is now living with an uncle, Harry L. Peet.

Politically Mr. Peet gives his allegiance to the republican party, having been a stalwart supporter of its principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is a member of Anamosa Lodge, NO. 46, A.F.&A.M., and also is identified with White Rose Lodge, K. P., of Martelle, both of which organizations find in him a worthy exemplar. Mr. Peet is an enthusiastic lover of outdoor sports of all kinds and was a member of the famous ball team of Martelle which was instrumental in bringing that town before the public eye. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he has taken a deep interest in all community affairs and his influence is ever upon the side of improvement, progress and reform. During the period which he and his wife traveled life's journey together their home life was largely ideal, their dwelling being the abiding place of a perfect understanding and happiness. They occupied a high place in the community and Mr. Peet today enjoys the unqualified honor, respect and good will of every one with whom he has been associated.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 439.

D. A. Peet
Born September 14, 1847

D. A. PEET, of the firm of D. A. Peet & Son, dealers in dry goods and groceries, Main street, Anamosa; is a native of Fulton Co., N.Y., and was born December 26, 1830; he lived there until 16 years of age, when he came to Iowa with his parents; they came by wagon and were five weeks on the road, and arrived in this county in November, 1846; they settled in Fairview, and were among the early settlers there. When 18 years of age, Mr. Peet entered a store as clerk, and he has been connected with the mercantile business in this county since then, over thirty years; when he first began, he had nothing, and his success is owing to his own efforts. In the spring of 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily A. Crain, a native of Kalamazoo, Mich.; they have two children—one son, George S. (engaged in business with his father), and one daughter, Emily A.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 570.

Earl C. Peet
Born September 29, 1875

Greenfield township, Jones county, numbers among its native sons many substantial and progressive farmers who through their own efforts and industry are meeting with gratifying success. This number includes Earl C. Peet, whose birth occurred on the 29th of September, 1875, his parents being Eber G. and Oriana Peet. No event of special importance came to vary the routine of daily life for him during the period of his boyhood and youth, which were spent upon his father's farm amid the scenes and environments of rural life. He acquired a good knowledge of the common branches of English learning as they were taught in the Greenfield Center school, and since laying aside his text-books has greatly extended his early training by thorough reading, observation and broad, practical experience. He remained upon the home farm, giving his father the benefit of his assistance in the work of the fields, until twenty-nine years of age, and during that time learned many lessons concerning the value of industry and thrift and, surrounded by the wholesome influences of farm life, acquired good habits and clean morals, all of which well qualified him for the practical and responsible duties of life. In 1905 he started out in business on his own account, locating upon a farm of fifty-four acres which his father had given him. It is located near the center of Greenfield township and he has continued to make his home thereupon to the present time, although in the meantime as he has prospered he added to his original holdings and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-four acres of land. The soil of Iowa is proverbially rich and fertile, and under the careful management of Mr. Peet his fields have been brought under a state of cultivation, so that his farm is one of the valuable and desirable properties of the township.

On the 3d of April, 1904, in Fairview township, Mr. Peet was united in marriage to Miss Gladys G. Shoop, who was born in that township on the 27th of November, 1878, a daughter of Leander and Adelaide (Bates) Shoop, the latter the eldest daughter of Dr. Ira Bates. Mr. Shoop was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1848, and in 1856 came to Jones county, Iowa, with his parents, Moses and Caroline Shoop. Moses Shoop was born near Akron, Ohio, in 1802, and died at his home in Jones county, Iowa, in 1861. His wife, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where her birth occurred in 1803, lived to the ripe old age of eighty- five years. In their family were five children, namely, Calvin, Almond, Nancy, Caroline and Leander. The last named was united in marriage to Miss Bates on the 17th of February, 1878, and they now make their home about six miles south of Anamosa in Fairview township. Unto them were born eight children, all of whom still survive, Gladys, George, Cassius, Raleigh, Augusta, Bertha, Blanche and Lillian. In early life Mrs. Peet enjoyed the advantages of good educational training, for after her graduation from the common schools she pursued a course at the Western College (now Lander Clark College) at Toledo, Iowa. In 1895 she began teaching in the public schools, and was thus successfully engaged up to the time of her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peet has been born one son, Roscoe I., whose birth occurred on the 28th of November, 1905.

Mrs. Peet became an active member of the United Brethren church of Forest Chapel, Fairview township, in 1894, and since that time her life has been guided by the teachings of that denomination. Mr. Peet belongs to no special creed or sect but is very liberal in his views, his conduct at all times being in harmony with the spirit of the Golden, Rule. A very conservative but estimable couple, they occupy a high place in the regard and esteem of their fellowman and the consensus of public opinion accords them a prominent place among the valued residents of the community. In his political views Mr. Peet is a stalwart republican and for nine years served as a director of Greenfield Center school, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. He was early trained to habits of industry, enterprise and integrity, and these have proven strong elements in his success and at the same time have gained the unqualified respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 309.