West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
PETER HEATH

Peter Heath, who came to this community in 1839 was the owner and proprietor of the first store in the town of Old West Liberty which later became West Liberty.

After being in this vicinity for a few years, during which time he worked as a farm hand near Nichols for at least one year, he returned to his former home in New Jersey, but being dissatisfied with conditions there, purchased a team of horses and rode and led them back to West Liberty.

While he was never officially appointed to the office of postmaster, he acted in that capacity for seven years, 1846 to 1852, following this he took up his residence on a farm 3 miles northwest of town which is now owned by Glen Walker, then in 1866 he moved to a farm on South Prairie, from 1885 to 1887, he and his son, Joseph A., were engaged in the mercantile business in West Liberty, at a site, about where the Ed Mackey restaurant stands.

In 1887 he returned to the farm again and passed away there in 1889. Peter Heath married Susan Gibson, an early settler from Ohio, she died in 1903. To them were born ten children, three were victims of the epidemic of diphtheria which was so prevalent here during 1886 and 87. Two of their children, Joseph A. now past 81, and John E. past 72, are still living in West Liberty.

John Heath, Wm. A. Heath, Jodie G. Heath, Clarence R. Heath, Ray S. Heath, Mrs. John Hintz, and Mrs. Clayton James are grandchildren residing in West Liberty and vicinity, there are also many great and great, great grandchildren of this pioneer living here.

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