The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
GORDON PEACOCK.
Through successive stages of progress Gordon Peacock has made con- tinuous advancement in the business world until he now occupies the posi- tion of superintendent of the Centerville Water Company. His history indicates clearly what may be accomplished when determination and energy are strong characteristics of the individual. A native of Illinois, Mr. Pea- cock was bom in Morgan county, November 14, 1870, and is a son of Gordon and Margaret (Bennie) Peacock, natives of Scotland. The father was a miner in that country and came to America at an early age, locating finally in Missouri, where he bought a farm, which he improved and operated until 1885. In that year he retired from active life and moved to Centerville, where he is now living, enjoying the respect and confidence of a wide circle of friends. He is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, having served one year during the conflict as a member of Com- pany K, One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Volunter Infantry. His wife passed away in 1900.
In the acquirement of an education Gordon Peacock attended public school in Illinois and Missouri, but his advantages along this line were limited. At the age of fourteen he laid aside his books and for four years worked in the coal mines in Illinois and Iowa, finally abandoning this oc- cupation in favor of railroading. His first position in the new field was as foreman of the Culvert gang, in the employ of the Rock Island system, and he did able work in this capacity for four years. At the end of that time he came to Centerville and worked in the mines in the vicinity of the town until 1905, when he secured a position with the Centerville Water Company. Advancement came rapidly. In 1908 he was made assistant suprintendent and in 1910, superintendent, holding that position at the present time. He has been active in the management and control of the departments under his charge and has proved a courteous, obliging and capable official, whose personal popularity constitutes one of the elements in the prosperity of the corporation which he serves.
On the 11th of October, 1893, Mr. Peacock married Miss Katherine O'Leary, a daughter of John and Mahala O'Leary, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Missouri. At an early age the father emigrated to America and served in both the Mexican and the Civil wars. He fol- lowed the stone mason's trade in various parts of the country, passing away in Texas in 1899. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1885. Mrs. Peacock is a native of Woodbury county, Iowa, bom in 1872. She and her husband became the parents of three children: John William, who was born January 10, 1895, and who died in May, 1905; Marie, aged fifteen; and Agnes, thirteen years of age. Mrs. Peacock and her two daughters are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally Mr. Peacock is a member of the Foresters of America and for the last twelve years has been treasurer of that organization. He belongs also to the Iowa Legion of Honor. His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party and for two years he served on the town council, showing in his public work the same determination and integrity which have marked the various phases of his business career.
Source: Past and Present of Appanoose County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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