William Peet, a retired farmer and capitalist of Allegan, Allegan County, was born April 15, 1827, in Deerfield Township, Oneida County, N.Y. His parents were John and Mary (Davis) Peet, natives of England and Wales, respectively. They were married in Liverpool, England, before coming to America. On landing in New York, they immediately settled in Deerfield Township, Oneida County, where Mr. Peet purchased a small farm and erected a log house, where he resided for some twenty years. He then sold and moved to Cattaraugus County, where he purchased one hundred acres. This he improved, and erected good, substantial buildings, but after a residence there of a few years, he sold to his eldest son, Thomas, purchasing one hundred and thirty-five acres adjoining. He likewise improved this tract, and here spent the remainder of his days, dying April 10, 1873, at the age of seventy-seven years. Sometime previous to his death, he sold the farm to his son John, with whom he made his home. His good wife passed away July 17, 1873, at the age of seventy-nine years. She was a valued member of the Baptist Church, of which her husband was an attendant. Mr. Peet was a stalwart Democrat. He was a hard worker and an honest man, and was the father of a family of eight children, five of whom survive. Thomas died April 4, 1850, aged thirty-one years; Griffith died when four years old, and Edward on the 27th of August, 1890. Those living are: George, Evan, William, David and John.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the district school of Deerfield Township, his native county, afterward attending school in Cattaraugus County in the winters, and working on the farm in the summer months, until he reached his majority. He then left the parental roof, and stared out in life with nothing but a strong hand and willing heart. He hired out to a farmer in the neighborhood, receiving $13 per month. The same fall, he went on the Alleghany River, and worked on a sawmill, remaining there eighteen months, having the sole charge of the mill. He then journeyed to Genesee County, the same State, and worked eight months on a farm. Having learned the trade of a carpenter at odd times, he worked at this the ensuing two years. October 5, 1854, he came to Michigan and settled in Heath Township, Allegan County, which is now known by the name of Pine Plains. Purchasing eighty acres of wild timber land, he set about in true pioneer style, erecting a crude frame house, 14 x 21 feet, into which he moved three weeks after. He ran in debt for the farm, which cost $480, only paying down $170. With ax in hand, he commenced to chop and clear his land, but after two years' time, he plainly saw he could not meet his payments and took a small farm, which had been partly cleared, to work for one year. In the winter he chopped and hauled cord wood to Allegan at night, spending the entire day in preparing it. The following spring he had his land all paid for, with the exception of $30, which he employed an agent to borrow for him without giving any security whatever.
William Peet has brought his farm to a splendid state of cultivation, and by subsequent purchases, now owns one hundred and seventy-five broad and fertile acres, on which he has erected a handsome and commodious house, costing $2,000. He also has a fine barn, with all the conveniences wished for, besides a tenement house on his place. A fine apple orchard adorns the place, which gives him a profitable income, and general farming is carried on. In 1888, he decided to move to the city of Allegan, and now lives on North Street, where he has a fine home.
The subject of this sketch was happily married to Phidelia L. Vahue, February 11, 1852. She is a native of Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, N.Y., where she was born February 4, 1835, and is the daughter of Philip and Arminta (Gillett) Vahue, natives of Clinton County, N.Y., and Chittendon County, Vt., respectively, the father having been born March 6, 1810, and the mother February 18, 1811. Mr. Vahue was a farmer in Allegany County, N.Y., and came West in 1854, settling in Allegan Township, this county. He still carried on farming here, on forty acres, to which he added, until at the time of his death he owned one hundred and ninety-two acres. He moved to the city of Allegan two years before his death, which occurred in 1879, the mother passing away in 1882. He was a Republican in politics, and a wealthy man of the township. He and his wife belonged to the Baptist Church. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom grew to maturity: Mrs. Peet, Charles A., and Orson G. The others were: Sherman D., Miles, Mary J. and Emily M..
The estimable wife of our subject is the mother of six children: Judson A. married Mary Durand, by whom he had one child, Claud; he was divorced from this wife, and afterward married Miss Roby Butler; they reside on the old homestead, and are the parents of one child. Minnie M., Mrs. J. Bills, a resident of Allegan Township, and the mother of four children: William, Adelbert, Merna, and Maud. Mary, Mrs. George E. Kingsley, a farmer in Pine Plains Township, has one child, Fred; Edward C., a farmer; Flora M., now Mrs. Maurice Thorp, to whom one child has been born, Cleo; and John P., a student in the High School at Allegan. Mr. Peet is an adherent of the Democratic party, and is one of the prominent men of the county. He has been honored by his fellow citizens by the gift of the office of Justice of the Peace, which position he held for the long period of thirty years, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. The office of Township Treasurer was his for two years, and also various other minor offices of the township. He and his family are held in high repute by all in the vicinity.