Utah Since Statehood
Author is Noble Warrum 1919

RICHARD M. PEEK.

Richard M. Peek, engaged in ranching in South Weber, has been closely identified with those interests which have led to the material and moral development of the district in which he lives. He has been active in advancing irrigation projects and in supporting every plan that he has deemed of benefit to the community at large.  He was born in South Weber, June 8, 1882, a son of Thomas Henry and Mary (Bright) Peek, natives of Cambridgeshire, England. Mr. Peek came to Utah in 1855 and settled in South Weber, where he spent his remaining days. He took up land from the government and also purchased property until he became the owner of a good home.  Before leaving his native country he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and throughout the period of his residence in Utah he was a stalwart champion of the interests of the church and of the schools. He was also identified with irrigation projects and his efforts in behalf of public welfare were far-reaching and resultant. He died in 1910.

Richard M. Peek acquired his early education in the schools of his home locality and was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming acquainted with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He has always given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and his labors have been highly resultant. His fields are now splendidly cultivated and return to him substantial harvests. His farming methods are at once practical, progressive and scientific and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. 

Mr. Peek was married on the 19th of December, 1906, to Miss Edith Lucinda Hansen, a daughter of Hans Christian and Rebecca Jane (Bingham) Hansen. The father was born in Plain City, Utah, and the mother in Riverdale. His father was a native of Denmark and came to Utah in early pioneer times. Mr. and Mrs. Peek are the parents of three children: Kefford Maiden, Cleo and Harry Leslie.  Mr. Peek belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he is filling the office of elder. He has also been connected with Sunday school work and has served as water master. His interest in community affairs is deep and sincere and as a business man he displays progressiveness in all that he undertakes.

RICHARD PELTON.

Richard Pelton is identified with mining interests of Utah and is also well known in financial circles as a stockholder in several banks. He makes his home at Woods Cross, in Davis county. His birth occurred in Ohio, April 22, 1861, his parents being Henry and Emily (Clark) Pelton, both of whom were natives of the Empire state.  The father was born in 1801 and the mother in 1820 and they were representatives of old American families. The grandfather, Ebenezer Pelton, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1763 and became one of the pioneer residents of Ohio, building the second house erected in the state. His ancestors came to America in 1622 on the ship Mary and John. One of the Peltons was a carpenter and made the coffin that was used in the interment of George Washington. After living in Ohio for a number of years the parents of Richard Pelton removed to Nebraska, where their remaining days were passed. The father was married twice, his first union being with Margaret Hamilton, of the state of New York. He died in 1882, while the mother of Richard Pelton passed away in 1884. By his first marriage the father had five children, of whom one daughter, Mrs. Agnes French, is now living. 

Richard Pelton was the only child born of his father's second marriage. He acquired his education in the common schools of Missouri and in a normal school at Fort Wayne, Indiana. After reaching adult age he started for the west and has since been identified with mining. He first made his way to California, later became a resident of Arizona and at one time was in old Mexico. In 1882 he came to Utah and was a well known figure in mining circles at Alta until his removal to Park City, where he is now superintendent of the Ontario Leasing Company, a position of importance and responsibility that he has occupied for seventeen years. He is well known in mining in this state and long experience has made him familiar with the history of mining development in the west. As he has prospered he has acquired stock in various banks. 

In 1884 Mr. Pelton was married to Miss Mary E. Parrish, who was born in Davis county in 1862, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Parks) Parrish, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Pelton have become parents of eight children. Henry, born in 1885, died when but three months old.  Zoe, born in 1886, passed away in May, 1904. Cleo P., born in 1888, died in 1892. Richard W., born in June, 1889, is connected with his father in mining interests. Onida, born May 20, 1894, is a graduate of the high school and Sybil, born October 10.  1895, is also a high school graduate. Rebecca, born June 29, 1897, also completed a high school course. De Lamar, born July 23, 1901, is at present a high school pupil.  Mrs. Pelton is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In politics Mr. Pelton is a democrat but not an office seeker. He has lived an active life, contributing to the development of the west through the utilization of Its natural resources, and his study of mining conditions has constituted a feature in the further development and prosperity of the company which he represents.

CHRISTOPHER C. PERKINS.

Christopher C. Perkins is now living retired at Kaysville but for a long period was identified with farming interests and thereby won the success that enables him now to rest from further labor. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois, January 4, 1836, a son of Ap and Nancy (Martin) Perkins, the former a native of Tennessee, while the latter was born in Virginia. They became residents of Nauvoo, Illinois, where they resided until 1848 and then crossed the plains with ox teams to Utah, settling in Salt Lake City, where both the father and mother passed away. They had a family of thirteen children, all of whom are deceased with the exception of Christopher C. Perkins of this review.

Christopher C. Perkins acquired a limited education and engaged in farming and teaming in early life. After attaining his majority he became a resident of Davis county, having up to that time made his home in Salt Lake from the age of twelve years, when his parents brought their family to Utah. He has now for many years been a resident of Davis county and his activity has numbered him with its promoters and up builders.

He was one of the pioneer settlers who aided in quelling the Indians when they became hostile toward the white settlers. The utmost privations and hardships were endured by the soldiers, who almost starved. Their food supply became so exhausted that they had to kill and eat their dogs in order to remain alive. Many of the difficulties of settlement on the frontier are familiar to Mr. Perkins and his stories of pioneer days are most interesting, for he passed through many of the scenes and experienced the conditions which figured in the early history of this section of the state. He early settled upon the tract of land which is still his home and he yet occupies the log cabin which he built many years ago.

In 1860 Mr. Perkins was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Robbins, a native of England and a daughter of Edmund and Elizabeth (Welch) Robbins, who were also natives of that country and came to America in 1850, establishing their home in Utah, where their remaining days were passed. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins became the parents of nine children: C. J., who follows farming; Elizabeth E., the wife of Efrem Barnett; Nancy A., the wife of John Simpson; Richard; Edmund T.; William A.; Joseph M.; and Hyrum and Alice, both of whom have departed this life.

Mr. Perkins has now passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and with every phase of the early development of Davis county he is acquainted. He is today one of its most venerable and esteemed pioneer settlers and no history of this section of the state would be complete without mention of him.

JOHN G. PETTY.

John G. Petty, who since 1885 has been engaged in general agricultural pursuits at Farmington, Davis county, was born at Spanish Fork, Utah. August 27, 1860, a son of Edward J. and Charlotte (Revell) Petty, both of whom were natives of England. On coming to the new world they made their way to Utah, where they arrived about 1849.  They have become converts to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and both remained residents of Utah throughout the residue of their days, passing away in Salt Lake City. In their family were three children, of whom two are yet living.  John G. Petty was reared and educated in Utah, where he acquired a common school education. He took up the occupation of farming as a life work and since 1885 has resided on his present place near Farmington, where he owns ninety-five acres of good land, all of which has been brought under cultivation. He has added many modern improvements to his place and he raises fruit of all kinds. His business affairs have been carefully and wisely conducted and he has won a substantial measure of success as the years have gone by.

On the 28th of June, 1851, Mr. Petty was married to Miss Alice A. Bourne, a native of Davis county, Utah, her birth having occurred in 1860. She is a daughter of Charles and Jane (Alder) Bourne, who were natives of England and came to Utah in 1853, settling in Davis county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs.  Bourne had a family of thirteen children, six of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Petty have been born four children: Gordon G., now in the United States army, on active duty in Germany with the Fifteenth Artillery; Leone, at home; Alice M., the wife of Elmer Moses; and Priscilla Fern, who completes the family. The parents are members of the South Davis stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They have been lifelong residents of Utah and have been interested witnesses of the continued growth and development of the state, while at all times they have borne their part in the work of general improvement.

JOHN W. PHILLIPS.

John W. Phillips is engaged in the abstract business in Brigham, where his entire life has been passed. He was here born on the 2d of May, 1884, a son of Moroni L. and Maria (Welch) Phillips. His father is a native of Wales and became a resident of Utah in 1854, when a little lad of but three years. He devoted many years of his life to farming in Boxelder county but is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest at Brigham. The mother was born in Missouri and is also living.  At the usual age John W. Phillips became a pupil in the public schools of Brigham and passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. Starting out in his business career, he spent two years with the engineering department of Salt Lake City and in 1905 was sent on a mission to England, where he remained for two years, returning in 1907. After again reaching Utah he took up the abstract and title business on his own account and has since continued active in that field with offices in the First National Bank building of Brigham. He now has a very large business in abstract and title work for the county of Boxelder, which is larger than some of the eastern states. He is very thorough, accurate and systematic in all that he does and his work is most satisfactory to his clients.

On the 28th of September, 1911, Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Amy Lee, a daughter of S. N. Lee, of Brigham, and a sister of President S. Norman Lee. Their children are two in number: Amy Lee, six years of age; and Burt. Mr. Phillips and his wife hold membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he is serving as elder in the second ward. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is a member of the city council. He finds his chief recreation and diversion in reading and is thoroughly familiar with many of the best works of ancient and modern writers upon a wide variety of subjects. He is a broad-minded man with whom it is a pleasure to meet and converse and at all times he is actuated by a progressive spirit.

THOMAS A. PHILLIPS.

Thomas A. Phillips is a farmer and stockman of Davis county, within the borders of which he has spent his entire life. He was born December 6, 1879, a son of Thomas H.  and Anna (Blood) Phillips, both of whom were natives of Davis county, representing old pioneer families of the state. The paternal grandfather, Edward Phillips, was born in England and came to America about 1850. He crossed the plains to Utah and in 1851 took up his abode in Davis county, aiding in the reclamation of wild land for the purposes of civilization. From that time to the present members of the family have been active in the work of general improvement and progress here and especially have they contributed to the agricultural development of the district. 

Thomas A. Phillips was reared under the parental roof and pursued a public school education. After attaining his majority he took up farming on his own account and has always engaged in the work of tilling the soil. He is now the owner of a fifty acre tract of land, which is all well irrigated and highly improved. He makes a specialty of feeding cattle and is quite successful in the conduct of this branch of his business. 

In 1908 Mr. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Flint, a daughter of William and Eliza (Beesley) Flint. Mrs. Phillips is also a native of Davis county and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Erma, Ben F. and Vince F.

Mr. Phillips has served as district superintendent of the Electric Power & Light Company for a period of five years. He is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in 1899 went on a mission to Canada. He justly deserves classification with the self-made men of his district in that his success in life is attributable to his own efforts. Step by step he has worked his way upward and is now numbered among the prominent farmers of Davis county.

NATHAN T. PORTER.

Nathan T. Porter, who has departed this life, was for many years actively engaged in farming in Davis county. He was born in Vermont and crossed the plains in 1847, the year which brought the earliest of the Utah pioneers to the Salt Lake district. In 1849 he was united in marriage to Rebecca Ann Cherry, who is a native of Pendleton county, Kentucky, and was nine years of age when her parents removed from that state to Illinois. In 1847 she became a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, being then a young lady of eighteen years. Further mention of her family is made in connection with the sketch of her brother, John J. Cherry, on another page of this work.

On coming to Utah, Nathan T. Porter drove four yoke of oxen from Omaha to Salt Lake City and, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers, contributed to the early development and up building of the state. Year after year he continued to engage in farming and won thereby a substantial measure of success that enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter were born two children: Sarah Jane, who died at the age of eleven years; and Aaron B., who was married and had eleven children but has now passed away. Mrs. Porter is the grandmother of eleven and has thirty great-grandchildren. She was ever an able assistant and helpmate to her husband and she still owns a part of the old homestead, having sold a portion of it since Mr. Porter's death. They were numbered among the worthy pioneer settlers of Davis county and became familiar with all the hardships and experiences incident to the settlement of the frontier. The memory of Mrs. Porter forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and her reminiscences of the early days are most interesting.

CHARLES REEVES.

Charles Reeves, a successful automobile dealer of Brigham was born in Centerville, Davis county, Utah, April 16, 1879. His father, William Reeves, was a native of Birmingham, England, and came to Utah at the time Johnston's army reached this state.  In public affairs he took an active part as the years passed and served for a long period as assessor and collector of Davis county. He was also postmaster of Centerville, Utah, and in the work of the church was helpfully interested, serving as high priest and in other offices and also going on missions for the church. He died in 1900. while the mother of Charles Reeves survived until March, 1918. She bore the maiden name of Sarah Ann Coles and was a native of Brighton, England.  Charles Reeves was one of a family of eight children, four of whom are yet living.  He came to Brigham when eleven years of age and spent his youthful days under the parental roof, pursuing his education in the public schools. He also studied for a year in the Utah Agricultural College. In early life he learned the carpenters trade and worked with the Merrill Lumber Company of Brigham. spending several years in their employ in the mill. He then turned his attention to the feed and coal business, establishing the Cash Feed Store, which he conducted for three and a half years. He next entered the automobile trade at his present location and has since become recognized as one of the prominent and successful automobile dealers of this part of the state. He sells the Chevrolet car and all accessories, also storage batteries and everything in the line of automobile equipment and his business amounted in 1918 to one hundred and fort, thousand dollars. He has sold hundreds of cars and likewise enjoys a large trade in accessories.

In 1904 Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Nellie Hurst, a daughter of F. W. Hurst, of Logan, who was one of the early settlers of this state. They have become the parents of seven children: Charles Vincent, Lucile, Royal Hurst, Laverne, Glen William, Gordon Hurst, and Derrall Eugene.

Mr. Reeves is identified  with the Brigham Commercial Club He is president of the Second Quorum of Elders and very active in the work of the Church of Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints. His aid and influence are always on the side of progress and improvement in community affairs and at the same time he is a progressive business man, the Guarantee Auto Company being recognized as one of the important business firms of the city. Mr. Reeves deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as his success is the direct and legitimate reward of intelligent effort and sound judgment.

HON. JOSEPH C. RICH.

Hon. Joseph C. Rich, who has departed this life, was for four years judge of an Idaho district court and for a long period engaged in the practice of law and was also active in framing the legislative enactments of that state. He was born in Nauvoo, Illinois, January 16, 1841, and became identified with the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who colonized Utah and adjacent sections of the west. His parents were Charles C. and Sarah D. (Pea) Rich. The father was a native of Kentucky and the mother of Indiana, but they were married in Nauvoo, Illinois, whence in 1847 they crossed the plains with Brigham Young to Salt Lake City. There they took up their abode and subsequently Mr. Rich became the founder of Bear Lake, Idaho, where he continued to reside until called to the home beyond.

His son, Judge Rich, was reared and educated in Utah. He attended the common schools and afterward took up the study of law, thoroughly qualifying for admission to the bar. He passed the law examination in Idaho and thereafter was identified with the practice of law, winning a large clientage. He prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care and was seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle.  His ability in this direction led to his selection for the office of judge of the district court and he served upon the bench for four years, having jurisdiction over six counties in southern Idaho.

In 1869 Judge Rich was united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza Hunter, who was born in Nauvoo, Illinois, April 7, 1844, a daughter of Bishop Edward and Ann (Stanley) Hunter, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Nauvoo at an early day. In 1847 they made the long trip across the plains, arriving in Utah in the fall of that year after having journeyed with ox teams and wagons across the long stretches of hot sand and over the mountains to their destination. They took up their abode in Salt Lake City and Mr. Hunter served as a presiding bishop of the church for about thirty years, remaining a resident of Utah until his death. To Judge and Mrs.  Rich were born eight children: Sarah Ann, now deceased; Edward Charles, who is president of the Montpelier stake of Idaho; George, who has passed away; Susanna L., who is at home with her mother; Sarah J., the wife of C. W. Stewart, , of Idaho; Libby H., the deceased wife of Clarence Anderson; Joseph C, of Idaho; and Stanley H., living in Paris, Idaho. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 17th of October, 1908, Judge Rich passed away and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Paris, Idaho. His widow now owns a fine home in Centerville, Utah, and occupies a prominent position in the social circles of the city.

Judge Rich was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as one of the counselors of Bear Lake stake. He also filled two missions, going to England in 1860 and there laboring for two years. In politics he took a deep interest and always gave unfaltering allegiance to the democratic party. He was elected on that ticket not only to judicial office but also to the state legislature, serving as a member of both the house and the senate of the Idaho general assembly. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement and he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the legislative and judicial history of the state as well as upon its moral development.

The information on Trails to the Past © Copyright    may be used in personal family history research, with source citation. The pages in entirety may not be duplicated for publication in any fashion without the permission of the owner. Commercial use of any material on this site is not permitted.  Please respect the wishes of those who have contributed their time and efforts to make this free site possible.~Thank you!