PEEBLER, Michael D. 1838 - 1935

PEEBLER, MCCAIN, BROWN, WIGGINS, HASBROUCK, MOORE, MCCLELLAND

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 12/31/2016 at 21:13:17

"The Fairfield (Ia.,) Daily Ledger"
Monday, October 2, 1939
Section G, Page 2

Michael D. PEEBLER Was Oldest Native Iowan At Time of Death in 1935; Nearly 98 Years Old

Fifth generation of PEEBLER family to live in Iowa resides in Fairfield

Dickie Glenn PEEBLER, nine-year old Fairfield schoolboy, represents the fifth generation of the PEEBLER family to have lived in Iowa, the completion of a century of residence in this state by one family. Dickie is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn L. PEEBLER, 306 West Burlington. Mrs. PEEBLER, whose maiden name was Esther McCAIN, came to Iowa from Indiana.

Glenn PEEBLER is a native of Jefferson county, having been born on the farm adjoining the original PEEBLER homestead. His father was John W. PEEBLER, who was born on the PEEBLER homestead near Libertyville on February 21, 1872.

The fourth generation back brings us to Michael D. PEEBLER, who was born in Fort Madison on February 9, 1838. And the first PEEBLER to set foot in Iowa was Samuel S. PEEBLER, who came to Fort Madison only a short while before Michael's birth.

No record has been uncovered as to the birthplace of Samuel S. PEEBLER, but it is thought he was a native American, and it is known he was born November 9, 1798, and passed away May 14, 1842. His wife was Darthy PEEBLER, born April 13, 1811, and passed away May 15, 1842. Both are buried in the southwewst corner of the old plat of Evergreen cemetery.

Samuel S. PEEBLER and family started west in 1836. They arrived in Carthage during the Mormon trouble, and after stopping there a short while, decided to move on. However, fear of Indian trouble further west decided them to stop for a while at Ft. Madison, and it was there that Michael D. was born, the first white child to be born in that city. Two months later the family came on to Fairfield.

Samuel S. PEEBLER bought a tract of land east of Fairfield in 1843. The present properties of Harlan Gossick and Joe Ball are part of this tract, as well as the land on east. PEEBLER built a house, partly of brick and partly of wood, to be used as a trading post. A large vault was made in the basement. In connection with the trading post, the government gave Mr. PEEBLER the right to give out homesteads.

When Michael was four years old, he became orphaned, both parents dying within twenty-four hours of each other. They were buried in a double grave in Evergreen cemetery. He then lived with an uncle in Fairfield until the time of his marriage.

This uncle had been actively engaged in conflicts with the Mormons in and near Carthage, Illinois, and was in Carthage when Hyrum and Joseph Smith were shot in the Carthage jail. In later years, this uncle went to California, taking a northern route to avoid the Mormons at Salt Lake City. In so doing, they encountered great hardships due to the lack of food and water, and it was even necessary to kill and eat some of their own oxen.

On November 26, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary BROWN, and they immediately set up housekeeping in a log cabin he had purchased on a farm near Libertyville. The cabin had been erected under his own guidance.

To this union were born eleven children, six of whom reached maturity: Mrs. J. M. WIGGANS (sic - WIGGINS) of Livermore; Mrs. Deyo HASBROUCK of Sheridan, Wyoming; Mrs. I. N. MOORE of Monroeville, N. J.; Mrs. E. C. McCLELLAND of San Bernadino (sic), Calif.; Dr. O. F. PEEBLER of Omaha, Nebr.; and John W. PEEBLER of Libertyville. At the time of his death he was also survived by twenty-four grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Following the death of his wife on May 3, 1913, Mr. PEEBLER traveled extensively, visiting his children. He lived for several years prior to his death with his daughter, Mrs. WIGGINS, in Livermore, where Rev. Wiggins was the Presbyterian pastor.

For some years he held the undisputed title of being the oldest native Iowan, living within the state continuously, and would have been 98 years old had he lived another month.

He cast his first ballot for the Democratic candidate for president from that time on, voting at every election, with the exception of one year when he was in California on a visit at election time, and failed to get home in time to vote. This was the year Wilson was elected president, and Mr. PEEBLER often commented, concerning his failure to vote that year, that "Wilson didn't need my help anyway."

He was among those who visited the first state fair in Iowa, held in Fairfield in 1854, and also attended the second state exposition, also held here. He well remembered the story of the passing of the Mormons through Jefferson county after they had been expelled from Illinois.

In spite of his advanced age, Mr. PEEBLER's mind was keen and alert, and his memories of past days made interesting conversation 'til the last of his days. He took great pride in having been one of the pioneers to help build Iowa.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.