BIOGRAPHY: Peet, James M.
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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   JAMES M. PEET was born September 1, 1821, at Solon, Cortland 
County, New York.
   The family is of Welsh origin and came to America in the early days of 
the Colonies and settled at Stratford, Connecticut.  His grandfather was in 
the revolutionary War seven years, and was wounded by having his ear 
shot off.
   Mr. Peet's father moved to Pitcher Springs, New York about 1793, and 
worked at blacksmithing.  He married Abigail Wildman of that place, and 
the following is a list of their children: John, Burton, Cyrus, Gideon N., 
Daniel M., Julius A., James M., Truman J. and Huldah.  About 1804 he 
moved his family to Solon, New York, thence in 1840 to /Fairview, Jones 
County, Iowa.
   Mr. Peet aided his father ion the farm till he attained his majority, and 
then engaged with his brother in farming.  Since then he has been 
extensively engaged in stock raising, and for the last nineteen years in 
"blooded stock."  He was elected justice of the peace when twenty years 
of age, but refused to qualify, but when he was twenty-one he was re-
elected and served four years.  He married Anna Dallas, daughter of 
Robert Dallas, of Cedar County, Iowa, and has the following family: 
William G., Lorenda E., Robert M. and Ora D.
   William G. married Eliza Saum.
   When Mr. Peet first came to Iowa, he was obliged to go to Dubuque, 
fifty-three miles to the market, or to Davenport over sixty miles, or to 
Bloomington, (now Muscatine) for groceries and merchandise, and to "Cat 
Fish," fifty miles to mill -- camping out on the way.  For sixteen or twenty 
miles of the route there was not a house.
   In 1844 Mr. Peet and his brother took tow loads of oats to Dubuque, and 
sold them to Emerson & Shields -- the only persons who would buy, for 
six and one-fourth cents per bushel, heaping measure, and could get 
nothing but dry goods in exchange; they refused groceries.   
   These were times that tried men's souls, and the present generation 
know but little of the hardships and sufferings their fathers endured.  They 
are relieved from opening the country, breaking the soil -- building the 
roads and bridges -- erecting houses and barns, fencing, etc.  All these are 
furnished to their hands, -- and do they not complain more than their 
forefathers?
   Mr. Peet has been a successful farmer, and his blooded stock of short 
horns, and Poland China hogs, is as good as the State of Iowa affords.