Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Peebler, George D. February 9, 1850 - 
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Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net August 3, 2006, 3:02 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons

Page 392, 393

GEORGE D. PEEBLER
	There are few in the county of Umatilla that have so constantly and 
for so long a time been associated with its affairs as Mr. Peebler.  Few of 
its citizens enjoy such a favorable and wide acquaintance as he.  It was on 
February 9, 1850, in Jefferson county, Iowa, that he was born to David and 
Susan (Imbler) Peebler.  Scarce had he passed his swaddling clothes when his 
parents turned their backs on the prairies and cornfields of Iowa and sought 
the west.  Marion county, Oregon was their lighting spot, and one may be 
assured that they did not arrive there in a palace car.  Men that blaze the 
forests and hew out farms do not travel that way while at that work.  He is 
thus practically a child of this coast.  At the age of nineteen his parents 
again pulled up stakes and went to Linn county, in which place they resided 
until their death.  Here also he followed farming for eight years and then 
sought a place on this side of the mountains; finding his ideal in this 
section, he took up a place where his farm now is.  His wife also took up a 
half section of railroad land and they commenced in earnest to improve and 
build a home for themselves.  While in Linn and Marion counties Mr. Peebler 
had received a good education, having attended the Santiam College at Lebanon, 
and he was thus well fitted for the course that he subsequently pursued.  With 
determination and good judgment he commenced to raise wheat and stock.  
Finding that he had hit the right things, he bent his energies to their 
fullest and the little home place began to expand.  The herds grew and more 
land was bought.  Still more was needed, and more was bought, until he now has 
the magnificent holding of two thousand seven hundred acres of fine wheat 
land.  Wheat and stock was his motto, and never did a man choose wiser, for 
every turn brought him more prosperity.   In the midst of this excellent reign 
of plenty he did not overlook his duties as a citizen, for at every county 
convention he was a delegate and was in his place to assist in the affairs of 
government.  A number of times he was also a delegate to the state convention, 
and thus he became acquainted with the leading men of the state.  In 1896 he 
was a candidate on the Populist ticket for state board of equalization for the 
sixth judicial district.  He ran about four hundred ahead of his ticket but 
was defeated by twenty-three votes.  His sentiments are Democratic and he 
holds to that line with firmness, acting as he believes and with the courage 
of his convictions.  At the last election he was on the Democratic ticket for 
treasurer of the county, and while he ran away ahead of this ticket, he 
suffered defeat again by seven votes.  This last election, however, is, at the 
time of this writing, being contested. 
	Mr. Peebler is a member of the First Presbyterian church and a man 
that takes a hearty interest in its affairs.
	In addition to the large farm mentioned before, his property holdings 
are varied and quite expensive.  He is a stockholder and director in the 
Independent Mining and Milling Company, which holds extensive property thirty 
miles south of Pendleton in the county.  He has also a large interest in the 
Prince Mining and Development Company in British Columbia and in the White Fox 
Gold Mining Company in Cape Nome.  He has been quite an extensive breeder of 
fine horses and registered stock, always seeking to bring up the standing of 
the stock of the county, advocating that as one of the wise methods of 
farming.   
	His fraternal associations are with the Masons.
	December 8, 1872, was the date of his happy marriage with Miss Julia 
A. Smith, the daughter of David and Jane (Montgomery) Smith.  Five children 
have come to gladden their home, whose names are as follows: David A., John 
Q., Annie, William J. and Lily M.
	Within the last two years he has removed from the farm, which is 
eleven miles northwest from Pendleton on Stage Gulch, and taken up his 
residence in Pendleton.  Before doing so he sold off his fine stock and rented 
the farm to his sons and sons-in-law, who are now operating it with a few 
hundred acres added.  In this career we see one of the most marked success 
from start to time of retirement.  In every department in which he operated he 
was always a leader and men recognized at once his capabilities for that 
position.  And now the crowning part of his wisdom is seen in giving to the 
younger blood the place of hard knocks and assuming a more retired position of 
overseeing.  And what greater earthly comfort is in store for one than to take 
his trips of inspection to the scenes of the labor of himself and beloved 
helpmeet while they themselves are free from the greater responsibilities of 
more active operations?  Such is the lot of the large freeholder, wise 
business man and respected citizen of whom we have had the privilege of 
writing.



Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.


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