Biographical Sketch of

William Peat

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 571 - 572


William Peat, who resides on section 6, in the town of Packwaukee, Marquette County, is one of the oldest 
citizens of this community and is also numbered among the pioneer settlers, dating his residence from 1849.  
He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Oct. 11, 1801, and is therefore almost ninety years of age.  His father, 
Thomas Peat, was principal keeper of the records of Edinburgh and resided at Wheatland, near that city.  
The family was one of wealth and influence, and numbered nine children, but our subject is the only one now 
living.  He was reared to manhood in his native city and received a liberal education, after which, while yet 
a youth, he assisted his father in his official duties.  When he had attained to man's estate, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Margaret Ramsey, with whom he traveled life's journey for many years.  In 1849, 
accompanied by his family, which then consisted of wife and three children, two sons and a daughter, he 
crossed the Atlantic to America, and became a resident of Marquette County, Wis., where he has since continued 
to reside.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Peat were Thomas, who enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, and died at Columbus, 
Ky., on Oct. 15, 1863, at the age of twenty years; William B., who still resides on the old homestead and 
cultivates his father's farm; and Agnes Ramsey, who married William J. Huggins, and is now living in the State 
of New York.  The mother of this family was called to her final rest Dec. 11, 1876, dying in the seventy-first 
year of her age.  Mrs. Peat was a lady of culture and refinement, who possessed an excellent education, and 
was a musician of rare taste and ability.

As before stated, Mr. Peat received a liberal education in his youth, his father having been a man of wealth 
and rank.  Though he has now attained the age of nearly ninety years, he is still quite robust and in many 
respects a remarkable man, his memory of the past being most excellent.  He is a gentleman of varied and 
excellent attainments and advancing age has not deprived him of that high degree of refinement which is 
characteristic of the Scotchmen of the higher classes.  He is cordial and genial in disposition and a most 
esteemed and worthy citizen.






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