The Peet Families of Jones County, Iowa

WILLIAM G. PEET.

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. Feet 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.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ROBERT MELVIN PEET.

Robert Melvin Peet is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Jones county. He is also an extensive landowner, having some valuable property in this county, while his home place, pleasantly situated about five miles from Anamosa, has been in possession of the Peet family since 1840, in which year it was purchased by his grandfather. Mr. Peet was born on this farm, March 20, 1856, the second son and third in order of birth in a family of four children, whose parents were James M. and Ann (Dallas) Peet.

James M. Peet was born in Cortland county, New York, September 1, 1821, a son of Gideon and Abigail (Wildman) Peet, who came originally from Connecticut and located in Cortland county. New York. Gideon Peet was an expert mechanic but followed farming as a life work. Following his marriage he located on a farm in central New York and there reared a family of eight sons and one daughter, all of whom lived to become heads of families. It was about 1840 that Gideon Peet removed with his family to the west, for he believed that this district offered better advantages and possibilities than the older settled east. He decided upon Jones county as a suitable place to locate and accordingly went to the land office in Dubuque and entered five hundred and sixty acres of land in Fairview township, on which he took up his above. He lived to enjoy his new home for only a brief period, his death occurring in 1842. The sons then assumed the management of the home farm for their widowed mother, whose death occurred five years later, in 1847.

Subsequent to the mother's death, James M. Peet, who was then a young man of about twenty-six years, purchased the interest of the other heirs and became sole owner of the homestead farm. Taking up his work in earnest, he prospered as the years passed by and in the course of time added to his original possessions until his holdings embraced nine hundred acres, all in Jones county. He was very methodical and systematic in carrying on his work and took great pride in keeping everything about his place in good condition, so that on five different occasions his farm won first premium for being the best managed property in Jones county.

James M. Peet was married June 5, 1845, to Miss Ann Dallas, a daughter of Robert and Isabel (Couts) Dallas, of Red Oak Grove, Cedar county, Iowa. They began their domestic life on the farm and there reared their family numbering two sons and two daughters. William G., born May 8, 1846, was married February 8, 1872, to Miss Eliza E. Saum, a daughter of George Saum, a prominent farmer of Walnut Grove, this county. William G. died December 12, 1893, leaving a widow, two sons and one daughter. Lorenda E., who was born Decernber 3, 1848, died March 17, 1877. Robert M., the next member of the family, is the subject of this review. Orra D., the youngest, was born July 30. 1864, and died May 24, 1904, leaving a husband and one daughter. After a happy married life covering almost three decades, Mrs. Peet was called to her final rest on the 22d of September, 1874. In about three years the eldest daughter was called to the home beyond, and subsequently the father left the farm to the management of his son Robert M. and removed to Anamosa, where he had purchased a comfortable home. He was married a second time, July 5, 1877, to Matilda Weaver, of this city, who died some time in 1906. He passed away August 13, 1888. In his young manhood, when much of the land in Jones county was still unclaimed, he made his way to this district to brave the trials and privations incident to the establishment of a home in a new country. He could relate with interest the incidents of those early days when the homes of the settlers were widely scattered and when the thriving towns and cities of the present were then, many of them, unknown. He was a most industrious and successful man, whose probity was unquestioned and had the love and respect of all with whom he lived. He was never identified with any church organization but the Golden Rule was ever the basis of his conduct. In the highest and best sense of the term he was ever and essentially a gentleman, and at his death he stood crowned with honors and years, surrounded by a host of warm friends who gave to him the reverence that should ever be tendered to one of his years.

Robert Melvin Peet, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to habits of industry and economy, being trained in the work of the fields at an early age, while his education was begun at the usual age in the district schools near his home and therein he mastered the branches of learning that fitted him for life's duties and responsibilities. In 1877, when the father retired, Robert M. Peet assumed entire management of the homestead farm and is now the owner of this tract, to which he has since added, so that his possessions now embrace eight hundred and twenty acres, all in one body, and two hundred and sixty acres in another tract in Greenfield township, Jones county. He likewise owns two hundred and seventy-six acres in Marion township, Linn county, this state. His home place is well improved with substantial barns and outbuildings, and the house which he occupies is a modern country residence, pleasantly located about five miles from Anamosa. Mr. Peet is extensively engaged in general farming and stock raising and is numbered among the most prominent and prosperous men of his section of Jones county. His interests have at all times been thoroughly identified with those of the county and while he has prospered, his success has been gained only by strict adherence to the most honorable and businesslike methods.

Mr. Peet was married on Thanksgiving day of 1878, the date being November 28, to Miss Carrie Belle Carbee, a daughter of William and Harriet (Smith) Carbee, who were natives of New Hampshire. The Carbee family originated in England. The paternal grandparents were John H. and Anna (Powers) Carbee, who were likewise natives of the old Granite state and there they lived and died. Joel Carbee, the great-grandfather, served in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Peet were Lyman and Rachel (Heath) Smith, also natives of New Hampshire. The father, William Carbee, served in the Civil war, becoming captain of Company H, Twenty-fourth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he lost his life at the battle of Champion Hills. May i6, 1863. The mother survived for a number of years and died in 1879, when forty-eight years of age. Unto Air. and Mrs. William Carbee were born one son and two daughters, the brother and sister of Mrs. Peet being: Francis D., a resident of South Dakota; and Alice, the widow of H. G. Bowman, who died in 1893, leaving eight children, the family now residing in Cedar Rapids.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peet have been born six daughters and two sons. The eldest, Harriette A., is now the wife of W. F. McCarty and has two sons. Robert W. and Francis P. The other children are Orra Almeda, Alinnie Alice, Bessie, Almora Louise, Florence Lorenda. James William and Robert Alelvin. Jr.

Mr. Peet is a democrat in his political views and has taken quite a prominent and influential part in public affairs, being a member of the thirtieth and thirty-first general assemblies and also serving as a member of the board of supervisors for four years. His extensive business interests make such heavy demands upon his tim.e and attention that he finds little opportunity fox active participation in politics. He is not slow, however, in lending his influence to the cause of any worthy movement or measure instituted by his fellow citizens. His enterprising and progressive spirit has made him* a typical American in every sense of the word and by constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent position which he now holds, having the friendship) of many and the respect of all who know him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRY L. PEET.

Harry L. Feet is a progressive and enterprising farmer who owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and forty-five acres in Greenfield township. Jones county. Born in that township on the 19th of September, 186S. he is the eldest of a family of eight sons born unto E. G. and Oriana (Chapin) Peet, extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. He and his brothers all live within a radius of six miles. The period of his early life was spent upon the home farm, where during the summer months he assisted in the work of the fields, the winter seasons being devoted to the acquirement of an education in the district schools. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and then entered business life on his own account as an agriculturist, wisely choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared.

On the 20th of February, 1895. he laid the foundation for a happy home life by his marriage to Miss Katherine E. Baird, a daughter of John and Helen (Donald) Baird, of Lisbon, Iowa. Her parents, who were numbered among the first settlers of Greenfield township, came to America from Scotland and took up their above in this township in 1859, where they cast in their lot with the early pioneers. Both are still living, he at the age of eighty-five years and she at the age of seventy-six years, and they retain their old homestead in Greenfield township, although they are now living retired in Lisbon. Their family consisted of four daughters and one son, of whom Mrs. Peet is the fourth in order of birth. The others are: Jane, the wife of William Ellison, of Mount Vernon, Linn county; Agnes, who resides with her parents in Lisbon; Mary A., who married Omer Cole of Pearson, Woodbury county, and died October 25, 1909; and Andrew J., living in Greenfield township.

Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Peet began their domestic life on the farm which is now their home. It consists of one hundred and forty-five acres and through the careful management of Mr. Peet has been placed under a high state of cultivation. In its midst are found substantial buildings and he has introduced all of the modern conveniences and accessories for facilitating labor. In its attractive and well improved appearance it stands as a monument to his industry and thrift. Systematic, methodical and progressive in his methods, he is meeting with a success that ranks him among the enterprising and substantial farmers of the township.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Peet was blessed with one daughter, who, however, passed away in infancy. Mrs. Peet is a member of the Presbyterian church and in its work is deeply and helpfully interested. Politically Mr. Peet is a stalwart republican and is now serving as township trustee and as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. He is widely known throughout the township, having spent his entire life within its borders and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as inspire respect, confidence and good will among his fellowmen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GLENN A. PEET.

Glenn A. Peet, one of the native farmers of this county, was born in Greenfield township, January 22, 1870, and is the son of E. G. and Oriana (Chapin) Peet. He grew to manhood on the old homestead, and as he was the second in a family of nine sons, he early assumed his share of the work which was carried on there. He attended the public schools, from which he received a fair education, and when he decided to start in Ufe for himself he came to Fairview township. Here he has one hundred and forty acres of land, well improved, showing a good state of cultivation and the use of modern methods of agriculture.

Mr. Peet has been twice married. On the 28th of September, 1893, he was united to Miss Clara Robbins, whose father is living in Martelle, Iowa, but her mother, who was Miss Mary Durant in her maidenhood, has passed away. To this union was born one child, Harlan Gail, who died at the age of one year and seven months. Mrs. Peet died March 20, 1900, and on the 7th of February,

1901, Mr. Peet married again, the bride of this union having been Miss Evelyn Miller, a daughter of Abraham Miller and his wife. He passed away June 11, 1892, but Mrs. Miller resides near Anamosa. They had twelve children, eight sons and four daughters: Charles Nelson, of Los Angeles, California; Jesse, who is living near Springville, Iowa; Sylvester, living near Morley; Evelyn, who is Mrs. Peet; Mrs. Isabel Colwell, of Los Angeles, Cahfornia; Mrs. Caroline Hay, who lives near Martelle; Mrs. Myrtle Kyes, who lives in Arizona; Wilbur, of Los Angeles, California; Clifford Caspar, who lives near Martelle; Amon, a resident of Los Angeles, California; Carl, of Anamosa; and Chauncey, of Anamosa. To Mr. Peet's second union have been born four children: Ray Cecil, born April 28, 1902; Ora Fern, January 15, 1904; Lottie Pauline, May 17, 1905; and Grace Isabel, January 22, 1909.

Mr. Peet has for a number of years been school director and is now secretary of the board of education of Fairview township, and has ever exerted his influence toward promoting better institutions of popular instruction. He enjoys pleasant fraternal relations with White Rose Lodge, No. 279, K P., of Martelle, and among his brothers has made many strong friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.