IowaJones/Biographies/W. G. Peet

W. G. Peet–D. H. Pieper

William G. Peet
Born 1846

WILLIAM G. PEET, farmer, Rome Twp., Sec. 29; P.O. Mechanicsville; born in Jones Co. in 1846. Owns 14 acres in Jackson Township; 350 in Greenfield Township; 190 in Rome Township, which is the old homestead of George Saum. Mr. Peet is an extensive raiser of South-Down sheep, Devon cattle and Poland hogs. His wife, Miss L. E. Saum, born in Jones Co. in 1847. Married in 1872, and have had two children; one died in infancy—James S., aged 4 years, born in Jones Co.

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

William G. Peet figured for many years as one of the most successful farmers of Jones county, carrying on business on a most extensive scale. He was born here during the pioneer epoch in the history of the county and lived to witness its wonderful transformation, bearing an active and helpful part in the work of progress and development. He was seldom, if ever, at error in matters of business judgment and his enterprise and keen discrimination enabled him to win success that placed him among the county's most wealthy citizens. He was born near Fairview, in Fairview township, Jones county, May 8, 1846, and was of Welsh extraction. His parents, James and Anna Peet, came to this county at a very early day, being among its first settlers. They were worthy people and aided in the reclamation of the district for the purposes of civilization. They entered land in Fairview township and the father devoted his energies to the work of transforming the wild prairie into richly cultivated fields that he might provide thereby for the support of his family.

William G. Peet was reared to manhood on the old homestead, amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, sharing with the family in all of the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of those who established homes on the frontier, At the usual age he attended the public schools, but the methods of instruction were very inferior to those in vogue at the present day. His training at farm labor was not meager, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he took his place in the fields and continued in that line of work for many years. He remained upon the old homestead until 1888, when he removed to Anamosa, there spending the rest of his life. While on the farm he engaged largely in the tilling of the soil and also in buying and selling stock. He continued in the latter after his removal to Anamosa and also engaged in the grain trade. As he prospered in his undertakings he made investment in farm lands from time to time until he became one of the most extensive landowners in this part of the state, his possessions at the time of his death aggregating over two thousand acres in Jones county.

In 1872 Mr. Peet was united in marriage to Miss Eliza E. Saum, who was born in Rome township, this county, July 28, 1847, and is a daughter of George and Susanna Saum, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Indiana. They were among the first settlers of Jones county, arriving in 1839, at which time they took up their abode in Rome township, where Mr. Saum entered land from the government. He was one of the honored early settlers here and the history of his life is given at length on another page of this work.

In his political views Mr. Peet was a democrat but had neither time nor inclination for public office, for his business interests claimed all of his energies. He manifested keen sagacity and insight in all of his investments, was thoroughly reliable in his undertakings and was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any business transaction. He did all things openly and above board and as the years passed became one of the county's most wealthy and honored citizens. He was a man of tall and commanding presence, courteous and kindly in disposition and merited the high regard which was uniformly given him.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peet were born four children of whom one died in infancy. The others are James S., Lorinda M. and Truman G. The last named is married and resides in Anamosa. The daughter is the wife of James Templeman, a farmer of Walnut Grove. The eldest, James S. Peet, was born at Walnut Grove, in Rome township, June 11, 1875, attended the district schools and afterward continued his education in the public schools of Anamosa and in a business college at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On leaving school, he went upon his mother's place and managed the farm for about six years but in 1900 took up his abode in Anamosa, where he has since lived. In 1905 the Peet Lumber Company was organized, the stockholders being James S. Peet and his mother. In this connection they carry on an extensive business as dealers in lumber and coal, the company being now accorded a large patronage. Mr. Peet manifests many of the sterling business qualities which his father displayed and in the control of his interests gives evidence of a spirit of progress and enterprise which is always an essential factor in the attainment of success. His political support is given to the democracy, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day he has neither time nor inclination for public office, as his business affairs claim his attention and make ample demand upon his time.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 143.

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Israel Pelkey
Born July 4, 1829

ISRAEL PELKEY, farmer and painter, Sec. 35; P.O. Wyoming; born July 4, 1829, in Swanton, Vt.; in 1857, he came to Michigan; in 1866, he came to Jones Co.; he owns ten acres of land-also engaged in painting. Married Loraine Mills in 1856; she was born in Bridgeport, Vt.; have four children—Lewellon, William, Alice and Charles. He enlisted in 1862 in the 5th Mich. Battery; afterward re-enlisted in the 8th Mich. Cav.; served to the end of the war. Republican; M.E. Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 618.

H. W. Perrine
Born 1822

H. W. PERRINE, farmer, Wayne Twp., Sec. 8; P.O. Langworthy; born in Pennsylvania in 1822; raised in Ohio; came to Jones Co. in 1857 to live, but came and purchased his land two years before. Mr. Perrine has been married three times. Maiden name of first wife was Zinn, a native also of Pennsylvania they were married in 1850. Maiden name of second wife was Baker, a native of New England; they were married in 1858; had six children, five of whom are living-Jessie, Maggie, Atta May, Sadie and Johnnie. Maiden name of third wife was Allen, a native of England; they were married in 1872; have three children—Alfred, Florence Emily and Ernest Edwin. Mr. P. owns eighty acres, in blocks, within the limits of the village of Langworthy. Mr. Perrine and his wife are members of the M.E. Church; he is a Republican.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 631.

Patrick Perryman
Born 1818

PATRICK PERRYMAN, farmer, Cass Twp., Sec. 25; P.O. Anamosa; was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1818; he came to the United States in 1840; he lived in New Orleans nine years, when he came to Jones Co.; he purchased a farm in Richland Township, which he sold and bought the farm where he now lives. He was married to Catherine Phalan, who was born in Ireland; they have five sons and three daughters—Thomas, Mary J., John, Emma, Michael, Edward, Henry and Sarah. He has 170 acres of land; is a member of the Catholic Church; is Independent in politics.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 696.
Submitted by Karen Peyton
Note: Buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.

George Pfeiffer
Born 1814

GEORGE PFEIFFER, farmer, Rome Twp., Sec. 5; P.O. Viroqua; born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1814; came to America in 1838, and settled in Fairfield Co., Ohio. in 1845; came to Iowa; entered and now owns 145 acres; made the improvements; has a barn 30x40, house, 30x38, wing, 18x16. In politics, Republican; in religion, United Brethren. His wife, Barbara Hoffman, born in the same place in 1809. Married in 1838; have six children—Barbara (now Mrs. Rodrick, in Carroll Co.), John (in Greenfield Township), Sarah (now Mrs. George Smith, in Rome), Lucinda (now Mrs. Stephenson), Amanda (now Mrs. Henry L. Smith), Caroline.

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

D. H. Pieper
Born February 2, 1851

D. H. Pieper is one of the well-to-do farmers of Greenfield township whose prosperity is wholly due to his own exertions. He was born in Whitley county, Indiana, February 2, 1851, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Ecker) Pieper. The father was of German birth and was only sixteen years of age when he took passage for this country. He was wholly without funds, even to pay his way across the ocean, so upon landing to defray the cost of the journey he sold his labor to the highest bidder. He was bought by one of the legislators of Pennsylvania, who held him until he had given the value of the money paid. The man was a kind master, however, and Frederick Pieper remained with him four years longer than was required. In 1854, with his family, he came to Iowa, reaching Rome township, Jones county, June 7 Of that year. He procured a homestead there and had just become well settled and was beginning to get a good start in the new country, when in 1860 the great Comanche cyclone crossed that part of the county afflicting Mr. Pieper most severely. The home, only a log house to be sure, was razed and the father and two daughters, Susan, a girl of twelve years, and Annie, only nine months old, were found about half a mile away. The two girls were dead and had been stripped of their clothes by the wind. Mr. Pieper was severely injured, but had chances of life, while his wife, who was not carried far from the home, had several of her ribs broken. The mother and the two uninjured sons were cared for by neighbors, the father and the daughters were taken to Fayette Smith's home, a log cabin about half a mile north of the scene of the disaster. This house was built in 1852 and is still standing upon a part of D. H. Pieper's farm, as is the granary in which the bodies of his sisters were temporarily laid. Others who suffered in that storm were the Allen family and a man named John Niles, who were living about a mile west of Mr. Pieper's home. They were all killed and are buried, in unmarked graves, in the cemetery at Mechanicsville. All his property was destroyed and himself compelled to lie in a helpless condition for many weeks, Frederick Pieper was all but discouraged by what had happened to him. The kind and cheering words of his friends, however, gave him new heart and with the restoration of his health he again took up the battle of life. With what success he waged it can only be judged by the fact that when his days were over he was comfortably situated as regards personal possessions. Eight children were born to him and his wife: Susan, who was killed in the cvclone; D. H., of this sketch; Caroline, deceased; Samuel, residing in Olin; Catherine, who lives in Cedar Rapids; William, of Olin, Iowa; Annie, who was killed in the cyclone; and Fred, who is at present on the old homestead in Rome township.

D. H. Pieper was but three years of age when his parents came to this county and can well remember the destruction of the great Comanche cyclone that wrecked his old home. Should his memory fail he has constant reminders in the fact that eighty acres of the old place, the scene of the disaster, are now in his possession, and the little log cabin and the old granary are ever able to revive the tale of death and suffering. Upon his father's death the responsibility of the home farm and the guidance of affairs devolved upon him. He met the demands made upon him, the fields were improved, and the rest of the family started well along the road of success. Mr. Pieper has prospered with the passage of the years. His landholdings now amount to two hundred and eighty acres, substantial buildings have been erected and progressive means have been employed to prolong the fertility of the soil, until his farm has come to be considered one of the choicest in Greenfield township.

On the 26th of December 1875, Mr. Pieper wedded Miss Anna Hempy, who was born May 23, 1851, a daughter of George and Drusella (Miller) Hempy, and one of a family of nine children. The others were Lafayette, of Greenfield township; Mrs. Sophia Stabb, also of that township; Thomas, deceased; Marion, who lives in Greenfield township; Jacob, deceased; Mrs. Callie Stearns, of Springville, Iowa; Benjamin, of Lisbon, Iowa and George, who is living on the old homestead in Greenfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper have had two children: Chauncey D., born April 4, 1882; and Haidee C., born August 10, 1891. Both live at home. In addition to rearing his own children, Mr. Pieper has taken for a specified time a boy, Herman Pieper, to whom he is giving a home and all its advantages just as if he had adopted him. He takes as much interest in him as in his own son, and accords him all the privileges and the opportunities for education the latter enjoyed.

In his political views Mr. Pieper is in sympathy with the democratic party, and while not a seeker for official distinction has served as township trustee for two terms, or six years, and as a member of the school board. He and his son Chauncey are Masons belonging to Patmos Lodge, No. 155, A.F.&A.M., of Mechanicsville; and Mechanics Chapter, No. 134, R.A.M.; and he is also a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America of Mechanicsville, of Tipton, Iowa. Mr. Pieper belongs to that large class of men who in looking over the prosperity that the years have brought to them can say that it is due entirely to their own efforts. His life again demonstrates the truth of the statement that industry will accomplish many things hard and seemingly impossible.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 602.