Peter GLEASON, a practical farmer and breeder of fine short-horn cattle, residing on section 13, Poe Township, is a native of New York, forn in Tioga County, in January, 1833. His parents, Jesse and Didama (AYRES) GLEASON, were also natives of the State of Nnew York. Both are now deceased.

Peter was reared on the home farm in his native county where he received the benefits of a good common-school education. At the age of twenty-one years he went to Ohio, and soon married a lady (Mary A. JONES) who died a year after her marriage, leaving one son.

From Ohio he moved to the State of Wisconsin, where he remained some twelve years. He was married in Wisconsin to Miss Margaret McCLYMAN, and to this union have been born six children - one son and five daughters, of whom one daughter is deceased.

In the fall of 1868 Mr. GLEASON went to Idaho and Oregon where he remained about three years, when he came to Ringgold County. He resided in Ringgold County until 1880, when he took a trip to California, and engaged in the mercantile business for four years, and then on his return trip stopped a short time in Ohio. He then returned to his farm in Poe Township where he has since been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in which enterprise he is meeting with success.

In politics Mr. GLEASON affiliates with the Republican party. He has never aspired for official position, devoting his entire time to the duties of his farm and business.

Both Mr. and Mrs. GLEASON are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been quite a pioneer, crossing the plains and mountains eight times to the Pacific coast; was in the country and on the plains during the great Indian war of 1864-'5, which caused him much trouble and anxiety. He lost a large lot of stock at one time by Indians, and their pursuit and punishment ended in the Modoc war*.

NOTE: Peter GLEASON died at the age of 73 years, 10 months and 13 days on November 23, 1906. Margaret GLEASON died at the age of 69 years, 1 month and 29 days. Peter and Margaret were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

* The Modoc War was also known as the Lava Beds War, and was an armed conflict between the Modoc Tribe and the United States Army, fought in southern Oregon and northern California between 1872 and 1873. It was the last of the Indian Wars to break out in either Oregon and California.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 307, 1887.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modoc_War

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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