GAR CIVIL WAR

1917, July 23 - Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette - Obituary

Wilbur Riley Peet, son of Daniel Marlin Peet and Sally Eliza Tryon Peet, was born in Fairview, Jones County, Iowa Territory, Sept 26, 1843. His boyhood days were spent in Cedar County, IA and in June 1862 he enlisted in the service of his country, serving the Union cause as a member of Company A, 18th Iowa Infantry and later as a member of Company H, 24th Iowa Infantry. In March 1865, he was married to Miss Sarah Ellen Gillilan of Viola, IA. His wife and three children, Mrs Jennie Iowa Berry of Cedar Rapids, Harlan Henry Peet and Ray Wilbur Peet of Los Angeles, CA, survive him. He is also survived by 2 brothers Marlin D Peet of Chadron, Neb, and George Safley of Farnhamville, IA and 2 sisters Mrs Hulda Safley McCauley of Eugene, OR, and Mrs Laura Safley Hawley of Scranton, IA. From 1870 to 1875 Mr and Peet were pioneers in the life of Dakota territory, returning to make their home in Iowa. In 1879 Mr Peet entered the mercantile business in Troy Mills, IA and in 1895 removed to Swea City, IA, where with his sons he was engaged in business until his retirement in 1910, since which time he resided at the family home in Los Angeles, CA, until his death June 12, 1917, at the age of 73 years, 9 months and 16 days. Mr Peet was a member of the Masonic order and of the Grand Army of the Republic, a kind husband and father, an upright citizen, and a close student of history and of the affairs of the nation and the world. Brief funeral services were in Los Angeles on July 15 and, accompanied by his wife, daughter and son, his body was returned to his early home in Iowa. On Wednesday July 18, in the presence of many relatives and friends, Dr Edward R Burkhalter of Cedar Rapids conducted final services in Viola, at the residence of Mrs Peet's brother, H P Gillilan, and T Z Cook post of Cedar Rapids read the beautiful ritualistic services of the Grand Army of the Republic at the grave in Wilcox cemetery were Mr Peet was laid to rest after the "taps" of a departed soldier had been sounded.