Jones logo
Eber G. Peet
Born October 13, 1845


E. G. PEET, farmer, Greenfield Twp., Sec. 15; P.O. Martelle; born October 13, 1845, in Jones Co., Iowa. He owns 193 acres of land; 140 acres of this was entered by his father. Married Oriana Chapin December 19, 1867; she was born in Cortland Co., N.Y.; have five children—Harry L, Glenn A., Claud G., Collis S. and Earl. Has held about all the township offices. Republican.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 588.

Eber G. Peet, one of the honored and respected citizens of Greenfield township, has for many years been closely identified with agricultural pursuits and through industry, thrift and enterprise has met with substantial success. One of Jones county's native sons, he was born in Fairview township, just west of the town of Fairview, on the 13th of October, 1845, a son of G. N. and Cordelia 0. (Wilcox) Peet. The parents, who were married on the 29th of March, 1840, were both natives of Cortland county, New York, the father having been born on the 2d of September, 1814, while the mother's birth occurred in 1816. The father, who followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, passed away on the 25th of October, 1861, while his wife died April 15, 1896. In their family were three sons and one daughter, namely: C. S., who was born on the 5th of May, 1841, and died in 1864; Teresa V. born February 14, 1843, wife of C. T. Myrick, now deceased; Eber G., of this review; and Adelbert C., who was born May 23, 1848, and makes his home in Anamosa.
During the first seven years of his life Eber G. Peet remained in his native township and then came with his parents to Greenfield township, where the family located upon a farm on section 16, the dwelling which they occupied being the first to be erected in that vicinity. The farm had been homesteaded by the father in 1839, and upon it Mr. Peet resided until he reached years of maturity. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the district schools and during the time not devoted to his text-books he assisted in the work of the home farm, early learning lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. After completing his education he continued to give his father the benefit of his assistance until the latter's death, which occurred when Eber was sixteen years of age. He then entered business life on his own account, wisely choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. During the intervening years he has continued to devote himself to agricultural pursuits and in this line of activity has met with gratifying success. He is now the owner of five hundred and fifty-nine acres of the choicest land in Greenfield township, being ranked among the extensive landowners of the locality. That he keeps in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifested in agricultural lines and that his knowledge of farming is both thorough and comprehensive is indicated by the highly improved appearance of his place, upon which are found substantial buildings and all of the modern accessories necessary for facilitating farm labor.
It was on the 19th of December, 1867, that Mr. Peet was united in marriage to Miss Oriana Chapin, a daughter of George and Oriana (Lounsbury) Chapin, the former born in Cortland county, New York, March 1, 1814, and the latter on the 18th of November, 1815. Her parents are both deceased, the father passing away on the 23d of November, 1854, while the mother survived until the 24th of July, 1901. In their family were five children, the eldest child, born in 1839, passing away in infancy. The others were: Minerva, who was born on the 14th of August, 1840, and passed away August 7, 1871; James B., who was born July 14, 1842, and resides at Perry, Iowa; Mrs. E. G. Peet, the wife of our subject; and C. W., born May 9, 1847, who now makes his home in Greenfield township.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Peet was blessed with nine sons. Harry L, the eldest, was born September 19, 1868, and now resides north of Martelle. He was married on the 20th of February, 1895, to Miss Katie Baird, by whom he had one daughter, Edna, who lived but three days. Glenn A. Peet, born on the 22d of January, 1870, was united in marriage to Clara B. Robbin on the 28th of September, 1893. They had one son, Gale, who passed away at the age of two years, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1900. Mr. Peet was later married to Miss Evalina Miller, and to this union were born four children, Ray, Cecil, Ora, Lottie and Grace Isabel, aged seven, five, four and six months, respectively. The next son, Claude G. Peet, was born on the 23d of September, 1871, and on the 14th of February, 1900, became the husband of Mary Armstrong, by whom he has a daughter, Merle, seven years of age. Collis S. Peet was born on the 26th of October, 1873, is now conducting a grain and feed business in Martelle. He was married on the 6th of April, 1904, to Myrtle Pierce, of Pennsylvania, and unto them was born one daughter, Florence, aged four years, who is now living with her uncle, Harry Peet. The mother passed away September 25, 1907. Earl C. Peet was born September 29, 1875, and on the 3d of April, 1904, was united in marriage to Gladys G. Shoup, this union being blessed with one son, Roscoe L., aged four years. The next child was born on the 13th of August, 1877, and died in infancy. The next three sons, Vestus J., Clarence 13. and Grove E., born on July 6, 1880, October 4, 1883, and June 25, 1886, respectively, still reside on the home farm. Seven grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Peet are now living.
Not only on account of the creditable success which he has gained in agricultural lines, but also because of the prominent part which he has taken in the local politics of the community has Mr. Peet become well known to his fellow citizens. He has always taken a deep and active interest in public affairs and has been honored by his fellowman who have called him to responsible positions in the township. He served as township trustee for a number of years, has been assessor for three terms and was elected to fill the office of county supervisor for three terms, besides being appointed to that office for one year. He has held the position of school treasurer in Greenfield township for thirty-seven years, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of his duties and his appreciation of the responsibilities that rested upon him were such as to make him a most acceptable incumbent in the various offices to which he was elected, and his record as an official and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 554.

image

© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
Last updated on Friday, 16-Apr-2021 16:53:31 MST