WM. A. PEAK, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 10th of February, 1835, on section 26, Morgan county, Illinois, now Scott county. Mr. Peak lived on the farm until 1859, when he engaged in the dry goods business in the town of Exeter, where he remained the next three years, when, upon the breaking out of the war, he took his broom, swept his store out nicely, locked it up, containing as it did a full stock of general merchandise, and upon the call of President Lincoln, for three hundred thousand men to suppress the rebellion, enlisted in Co. F, 129th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, as a private. Upon the organization of the company he was elected 2nd corporal, which position he held until the regiment's arrival at Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he was detailed as clerk in the post quartermaster's department, at which place he remained until January 13th, 1863, when he was ordered by the post quartermaster to go south along the Memphis branch railroad to purchase corn for the army. In this business he remained for several weeks, purchasing several thousand bushels of corn, which he was about to ship when, on the evening of the 16th of February, 1863, the rebels came in and set fire to the corn. He and his party made strenuous efforts to save the corn, but their efforts were unavailing, the rebs being in too large force for them; and he came very near to being captured, but he proved too shrewd for them, as he was concealed and made his escape. He returned to Bowling Green, where he was taken sick and confined to hospital No. 5, in the Baptist Church, three weeks, after which he joined his regiment, then stationed at Buck Lodge, Tennessee. He acted as a scout several weeks while stationed at Gallatin, Tennessee. The regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, during the winter of 1863 and 1864. While the regiment lay at Nashville, he was detailed as turnkey of the military prison in the city. In the spring the regiment was ordered to Chattanooga, where it joined General Sherman in the glorious campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, Georgia. While in that campaign his regiment was engaged in ninety-three skirmishes and nine battles, all of which Mr. Peak participated in, until the fall of Atlanta. He was in the siege of Atlanta twenty-eight days and nights without cessation. Mr. Peak discharged his duties faithfully, and upon the fall of Atlanta his health failed him, and much against his inclinations, was ordered back to Nashville, and then from there to Louisville, Kentucky. While lying in the hospital at Nashville, Hood attached the city, the patients were all ordered out on duty, every man that was able to bear arms. From Louisville, Kentucky, he was sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, and upon landing was detailed to remain upon the boat, D. A. January, which was one of the hospital boats at that time. During the spring and summer of 1865 the boat was engaged in carrying the sick and wounded from the various southern points. On July 1st, 1865, he left the boat at St. Louis and took the transportation cars for Chicago, where he was honorably discharged, and returned home on the 3d day of July. Since that time he has been constantly engaged upon his farm, which contains three hundred and sixty acres of as good land as is to be found in Scott county. He was married to Miss Mary Jane Leib, daughter of Daniel Leib, who was one of the first settlers of this part of the county, and an honored member of society, who is now a resident of Exeter precinct, where he is in the full enjoyment of health, being a hale and hearty old gentleman. Mr. Peak's marriage took place on the 12th of March, 1854. They have had three children, all sons. The eldest, Charles O., was born June 18th, 1855; Daniel L. was born May 18th, 1859; and Henry Burton, April, 1866. All the children are fine healthy boys, and at the present time are living at home. Absalom Peak, father of the subject of this sketch, was one of the first county commissioners, a prominent citizen, an active member of society, one who took a prominent part in the organization of the county. He was justice of the peace thirty years, and also a consistent Christian gentleman. He died May 23d, 1867. Mrs. Peak, mother of Wm. A. Peak, was born February 15th, 1805, in Anderson county, Tennessee. At the present time she is alive, in the full enjoyment of good health, and living on the homestead with her son, Wm. A. Peak, and bids fair to live for many years to enjoy the society of her children and grandchildren, who are all comfortably situated and live close around her. Wm. A. Peak has one of the very best of stock farms in the county, and is dealing in stock to a large amount each year. He is a member of the board of education of Exeter, and it is due to his untiring efforts that he fine school house of Exeter, which is an ornament to the place, was erected. His purity of character is too well known to need mention at our hands. He is a man of generous impulses and of a hospitable nature, and has the kind regards of a large circle of friends. Mrs. Peak's mother's maiden name was Jane Caroline Gillham, daughter of Wm. Gillham, who was one of the first settlers of the county; she was married August 1st, 1833, and died March 12th, 1851.