Hon. L. P. Peebles, an honored citizen of Carlinville,
Macoupin County, has frequently been called upon to fill offices high in
public trust during his long and active career. In each instance he served
most creditably and in such manner as to win the confidence and respect of
his fellowmen. He served 17 years as judge of Macoupin County, and we may
safely say that no more able nor impartial judge has ever sat upon this
bench.
Judge Peebles was born in Chesterfield, Macoupin County,
Illinois, July 13, 1836, and is a son of Jesse and Margaret (Reeder)
Peebles. His father came to Macoupin County from Camden, South Carolina, in
1834, and lived here until his death in 1864. He was a farmer and local
preacher of the Methodist faith, and commanded the respect of all. Mrs.
Peebles was a native of Tennessee and died in Macoupin County, Illinois, in
1840.
Judge Peebles obtained the rudiments of an education in the
common schools of his native county and remained upon the paternal acres
until 1861, when he spent the winter in studying law under the direction of
William A. Grimshaw of Pittsfield, Illinois. He continued there until the
summer of 1862, then returned home. The Civil War being in progress,
inspired with a spirit of patriotism and love for his country he organized a
company of soldiers at Chesterfield and tendered them to the government.
They were accepted and mustered in as Company D, 122d Reg., Illinois Vol.
Inf., Judge Peebles being elected captain of the company. He continued in
that capacity and served with the regiment in all of its battles until
August, 1865, when the company was mustered out, as the war was at an end.
He was a valued officer and brave soldier, winning the love and affection of
his command and the commendation of his superiors. Returning to his home, he
entered the law office of the late Judge William R. Welch, and resumed his
preparation for the legal profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 but
returned to the farm and remained until 1868, when he was appointed deputy
sheriff under Sheriff S. B. Wilcox, serving throughout the latter's
administration. He then formed a partnership with R. C. Smalley, with whom
he was engaged in practice until 1872, when he was chosen by the Governor to
complete the unexpired term of Mr. Fishback as sheriff of Macoupin County.
Upon the expiration of the term, he served as office deputy for Sheriff
Pennington until the fall of 1873, then was elected county judge of Macoupin
County. He served efficiently for a term of four years, when his ability and
faithfulness received their merited reward by his reelection. His great
popularity may be gleaned from the fact that his election was made without
opposition. He served two more terms of four years each after his second
term, and held over for one year between two of his terms, making a total of
17 years on the bench. Since 1890, Judge Peebles has devoted his time and
energies exclusively to his large private practice. He numbers among his
clients many of the most substantial business men and corporate enterprises
in the county. He has always evinced a deep interest in the welfare and
development of his city and county, and has served conscientiously as a
member of the city council and as president of the Board of Education. He is
a 3d degree Mason and was formerly active as an Odd Fellow. He is a valued
member of Dan Messick Post, No. 339, G. A. R.
On March 1, 1869,
Judge Peebles was united in marriage with Sarah E. Odell, a native of
Macoupin County. Both have been lifelong residents of this county, and have
many friends and acquaintances throughout its limits.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 235-236.
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