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From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 585-586
THOMAS H. PEACOCK. Tourists who come from foreign countries to criticize pause to admire when they reach some of the beautiful cultivated farms of Wisconsin. Among these there is none more attractive than that owned by Thomas H. PEACOCK, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Smelser, Grant county, in January, 1860, a son of William and Mary A. (THOMAS) PEACOCK, both of Yorkshire, England.
William PEACOCK came when a young man to Grant county, where he married and settled on a farm. He was one of the pioneers of the country, rearing his family here, and clearing up the land. At the time of his death he owned considerable property and a comfortable residence in Big Patch, where he died in 1884, his wife passing away in 1878. They were members of the Primitive Methodist Church of Big Patch. They left a family of six sons and one daughter, of whom John W., born in 1858, married Caroline FATHERS, of Darlington, Lafayette county, and they live on the old home farm with their four children, Eunice, Clinton, Wanda, and Lawrence. Abraham Lincoln, born in 1862, married Ellen HILTON, of Platteville, and resides on his farm near Smelser, they have three children, Sarah, Charles and Flossie. Isaiah, born in Smelser in 1865, married Annie HILTON, and they first lived on a farm, but now reside in Platteville; they have one daughter, Mary. Sarah, born in Smelser township, is now the wife of Thomas G. HARKER, who lives in the old HARKER home in big Patch; they have two children, William and Alvin. Samuel, born in Smelser in 1868, married Sarah HILTON, and resides on a farm in Smelser. James, born in 1870, married Jennette VANETTA, of Germantown, Grant county, and resides near Big Patch; they have one daughter, Fleta.
Our subject received a district-school education in the township of Smelser, grew up on his father's farm, and was taught in the home circle those lessons of thrift, honesty and industry which have been of value to him since. Purchasing a farm in that township, after marriage he settled upon it, later selling that place and renting land for six years. In March, 1900, he purchased what is known as the Henry HARBICUTT farm in Smelser, containing 240 acres, all in a fine state of cultivation; there are fine barns, and a comfortable, modern house. This is considered one of the finest farms in Smelser township. Mr. PEACOCK is a progressive man, believing in up-to-date machinery, of which he has purchased considerable, and he has stocked his farm with improved and reliable breeds of cattle.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated in March, 1884, the bride being Miss Anna HARKER, the worthy daughter of Simon and Mary A. HARKER, old and prominent residents of Grant county. Mr. HARKER was a well-known merchant in Cuba City for a number of years before his death. Mrs. PEACOCK was born in January, 1860, and grew up in the township of Smelser. Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. PEACOCK; Mary A., born in 1884; Roscoe, in May 1888; Alice in June 1893; and William in November 1899.
Since early manhood our subject has been a member of the Republican party. He and his family attend religious services, and are cheerful supporters of church work. Mr. PEACOCK takes a pardonable pride in his fine farm and excellent stock, as he realized that he has earned all these pleasant rewards by his application and the memory of the lessons learned at his mother's knee.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck