Esther's father, Johannes Zaher (Sears) sold his land in Rowan County, North Carolina 5 Oct 1796 and by November we find them in Clark County, Kentucky where she is marrying Michael Peebler.
Their marriage bond of November 23, 1796, read "Im Pease to grant a license to marry Mical pebler esther Sears and oblige you to Mr. David Bublack signed John Sears Test David Welty." It appears that her father is no longer married since none of his land records show a wife. There is also a story told in the Peebler descendants that Esther said her mother died when a tree fell on her when she was hanging out the wash. Her mother was Barbara Miller.
In 1799, both Michael Peebler and his brother-in-law, Samuel Sears, were living on Drakes Creek, the Peeblers having purchased 200 acres on April 18, 1799. Michael Peebler purchased 69 more acres on Drakes Creek in 1805, and 71 acres on Dickey Creek in 1807. He was taxed in Logan County, Kentucky, on 340 acres (total) in 1810 and 1811.
In the 1810 Logan County Census, the Michael "Pebler" household had four males and four females. The part of Logan County where the Peeblers lived became Simpson County in 1819. In the 1820 Simpson County Census, there were seven males and four females. Esther [Sears] Peebler's brother Samuel and sister Catherine [Sears] Harmon and their respective families were also living in the Simpson County area of old Logan County during the 1810 and 1820 censuses. It is likely that all three families were associated with the Drakes Creek Brethren at the time.
Of the three Sears siblings, Esther [Sears] Peebler was the first to move to Illinois. The Peebler family moved to Sangamon County in 1826. On October 26, 1826, Michael Peebler bought 231 acres on Spring Creek in Island Grove Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. The Peeblers were joined in Island Grove Township, in 1827, by the Catherine [Sears] Harmon family, and, in 1828, by the Samuel Sears family. The move for all three families was very nearly complete by 1830.
The 1830 Sangamon County Census shows that there were three Peebler households in Island Grove. In the Michael Peebler household were Michael and his wife Esther [Sears] along with five males and two females, probably their children. Next to Michael Peebler was the household of James "Coddle" (Caudill) and his wife Nancy [Peebler], daughter of Michael and Esther Peebler. In this household were the Caudill's three daughters, all under age five, and one older male. The third Peebler household was that of John Peebler. He was married with two sons under age five.
The third oldest son of Michael and Esther Peebler was David Peebler. According to his autobiography he was born July 28, 1803, moved to Illinois in 1826, returned to Kentucky in the Spring of 1827, and was married to (his first cousin) Susan Imbler of Muhlenberg County on July 17, 1827. In the Fall of 1827 he and his bride Susan moved to Sangamon County, Illinois. And, in 1829, he and Susan were baptized in Sangamon County in the German Baptist church by Elder John Dick. The baptism was a year before the Sangamon County (Sugar Creek) Congregation was organized.
David Peebler did not live in a separate household in 1830, so it is possible that he and his wife lived with his parents. If so, that would reduce the number of children of Michael and Esther Peebler living in the Peebler household to five sons and one daughter. With son John and daughter Nancy in separate households, and with the other older male in Nancy's household probably being one of her Peebler brothers, that would raise the number of children to seven sons and two daughters, a tally which squares with most Peebler genealogies.
Between 1830 and 1835, Michael Peebler's three oldest sons— John, Samuel, and David— were buying land in Sangamon County. The second son, Samuel Peebler, married his neighbor, Dorothy Foutch, in Sangamon County, December 15, 1831. The fourth oldest son, Michael F. Peebler, is not known to have purchased land or married in Sangamon County, but there is an account that his oldest daughter, Mary Ann Peebler, was born May 9, 1831, in Sangamon County. The fifth oldest son, Andrew Peebler, married a Susan Hook in Sangamon County, January 1, 1833, but there was also an Andrew Peebler who married a Sarah "Sally" Smith in Hancock County, Illinois, May 31, 1833. Was this the same Andrew Peebler?
In 1836, the Peeblers sold their lands, left Sangamon County, and moved west, most of them ending up in Jefferson County, Iowa. The 1840 Jefferson County Census listed households for the second through sixth oldest sons of Michael Peebler: Samuel Peebler, David Peebler, Michael F. Peebler (sometimes called Michael Peebler Jr.), Andrew Peebler, and William Peebler. The oldest son, John Peebler, was living in Lee County, Iowa, with his wife and a much older man and woman who were probably his parents. The seventh and youngest son, Jacob Peebler was firmly settled in Hancock County, Illinois.
Sometime between 1840 and 1844, Michael and Esther Peebler moved from Lee County to Jefferson County. In 1844, Michael and Esther [Sears] Peebler, David and Susan [Imbler] Peebler, and Michael F. and Frances [Jacks] Peebler, were six of the original eight members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation organized by Elder George Wolfe Jr. The Libertyville church was the first Brethren church to be organized in Iowa. The Peeblers joined by letter, indicating that they had been members of the Sugar Creek, Illinois, Congregation.
Michael and Esther Peebler were still alive during the 1850 Jefferson County Census. Both were living next to Michael jun. (Michael F.) and Frances Peebler in Liberty Township. Michael Peebler died in 1853. He was buried in the Fell Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, no dates on his stone.
After his father's death, David Peebler left Iowa, leading an expedition to Oregon. He first lived in Marion County but settled in Linn County, Oregon, where he remained until his death. His obituary said that he died in Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon, on Monday, August 20, 1900, age 97 years and 23 days. Andrew Peebler left Iowa in 1855, moving to Atchison County, Kansas. He died in Meridan, Kansas, April 12, 1901. His obituary said that he was 90 years and 3 months old. Samuel Peebler had died in Jefferson County, in 1842, shortly after his arrival. According to the Iowa Genealogical Society, he was born November 9, 1798, died May 14, 1842, and buried in the Old Fairfield Cemetery.
Michael F. Peebler and William Peebler were the only Peebler brothers still living in Jefferson County during the 1860 census. In 1870, William Peebler moved to Montgomery County, Kansas. He died in Independence, Kansas, November 7, 1889. According to his obituary he was born in Kentucky in 1812, was married to Elizabeth Lionberger in 1837, was the father of nine children, and was a member of the Dunkard Church.
Michael F. Peebler remained in Jefferson County, Iowa. He died in 1877 and was buried in the Brethren (Dunkard) Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County. His tombstone reads that he died August 28, 1877, age 68 years, 2 months, 22 days. His wife Frances died in 1894 and was also buried in the Brethren Cemetery. Michael F. and Frances Peeber were two of the eight original members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation. Many of their descendants can be counted among the Brethren of Jefferson County.
The matriarch of the family, Esther [Sears] Peebler, was reported in the church records as having died in 1863 at age 92. If this is correct, she was born about 1771. In the 1850 census she was reported as age 82, suggesting a birth year of about 1768. The year 1768 seems to fit with the rest of the family and if either 1768 or 1771 are her birth year she was born in Maryland since her parents Johannes Zaher (Sears) and Barbara Miller were in Maryland at this time. Her 1860 census has not been found , nor has her burial place been discovered. But she was last in Jefferson County, Iowa.
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NOTE - Above information provided by contributor PJS, a descendant of JOHN SEARS. (ESTHER PEEBLER'S BROTHER)
Their marriage bond of November 23, 1796, read "Im Pease to grant a license to marry Mical pebler esther Sears and oblige you to Mr. David Bublack signed John Sears Test David Welty." It appears that her father is no longer married since none of his land records show a wife. There is also a story told in the Peebler descendants that Esther said her mother died when a tree fell on her when she was hanging out the wash. Her mother was Barbara Miller.
In 1799, both Michael Peebler and his brother-in-law, Samuel Sears, were living on Drakes Creek, the Peeblers having purchased 200 acres on April 18, 1799. Michael Peebler purchased 69 more acres on Drakes Creek in 1805, and 71 acres on Dickey Creek in 1807. He was taxed in Logan County, Kentucky, on 340 acres (total) in 1810 and 1811.
In the 1810 Logan County Census, the Michael "Pebler" household had four males and four females. The part of Logan County where the Peeblers lived became Simpson County in 1819. In the 1820 Simpson County Census, there were seven males and four females. Esther [Sears] Peebler's brother Samuel and sister Catherine [Sears] Harmon and their respective families were also living in the Simpson County area of old Logan County during the 1810 and 1820 censuses. It is likely that all three families were associated with the Drakes Creek Brethren at the time.
Of the three Sears siblings, Esther [Sears] Peebler was the first to move to Illinois. The Peebler family moved to Sangamon County in 1826. On October 26, 1826, Michael Peebler bought 231 acres on Spring Creek in Island Grove Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. The Peeblers were joined in Island Grove Township, in 1827, by the Catherine [Sears] Harmon family, and, in 1828, by the Samuel Sears family. The move for all three families was very nearly complete by 1830.
The 1830 Sangamon County Census shows that there were three Peebler households in Island Grove. In the Michael Peebler household were Michael and his wife Esther [Sears] along with five males and two females, probably their children. Next to Michael Peebler was the household of James "Coddle" (Caudill) and his wife Nancy [Peebler], daughter of Michael and Esther Peebler. In this household were the Caudill's three daughters, all under age five, and one older male. The third Peebler household was that of John Peebler. He was married with two sons under age five.
The third oldest son of Michael and Esther Peebler was David Peebler. According to his autobiography he was born July 28, 1803, moved to Illinois in 1826, returned to Kentucky in the Spring of 1827, and was married to (his first cousin) Susan Imbler of Muhlenberg County on July 17, 1827. In the Fall of 1827 he and his bride Susan moved to Sangamon County, Illinois. And, in 1829, he and Susan were baptized in Sangamon County in the German Baptist church by Elder John Dick. The baptism was a year before the Sangamon County (Sugar Creek) Congregation was organized.
David Peebler did not live in a separate household in 1830, so it is possible that he and his wife lived with his parents. If so, that would reduce the number of children of Michael and Esther Peebler living in the Peebler household to five sons and one daughter. With son John and daughter Nancy in separate households, and with the other older male in Nancy's household probably being one of her Peebler brothers, that would raise the number of children to seven sons and two daughters, a tally which squares with most Peebler genealogies.
Between 1830 and 1835, Michael Peebler's three oldest sons— John, Samuel, and David— were buying land in Sangamon County. The second son, Samuel Peebler, married his neighbor, Dorothy Foutch, in Sangamon County, December 15, 1831. The fourth oldest son, Michael F. Peebler, is not known to have purchased land or married in Sangamon County, but there is an account that his oldest daughter, Mary Ann Peebler, was born May 9, 1831, in Sangamon County. The fifth oldest son, Andrew Peebler, married a Susan Hook in Sangamon County, January 1, 1833, but there was also an Andrew Peebler who married a Sarah "Sally" Smith in Hancock County, Illinois, May 31, 1833. Was this the same Andrew Peebler?
In 1836, the Peeblers sold their lands, left Sangamon County, and moved west, most of them ending up in Jefferson County, Iowa. The 1840 Jefferson County Census listed households for the second through sixth oldest sons of Michael Peebler: Samuel Peebler, David Peebler, Michael F. Peebler (sometimes called Michael Peebler Jr.), Andrew Peebler, and William Peebler. The oldest son, John Peebler, was living in Lee County, Iowa, with his wife and a much older man and woman who were probably his parents. The seventh and youngest son, Jacob Peebler was firmly settled in Hancock County, Illinois.
Sometime between 1840 and 1844, Michael and Esther Peebler moved from Lee County to Jefferson County. In 1844, Michael and Esther [Sears] Peebler, David and Susan [Imbler] Peebler, and Michael F. and Frances [Jacks] Peebler, were six of the original eight members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation organized by Elder George Wolfe Jr. The Libertyville church was the first Brethren church to be organized in Iowa. The Peeblers joined by letter, indicating that they had been members of the Sugar Creek, Illinois, Congregation.
Michael and Esther Peebler were still alive during the 1850 Jefferson County Census. Both were living next to Michael jun. (Michael F.) and Frances Peebler in Liberty Township. Michael Peebler died in 1853. He was buried in the Fell Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, no dates on his stone.
After his father's death, David Peebler left Iowa, leading an expedition to Oregon. He first lived in Marion County but settled in Linn County, Oregon, where he remained until his death. His obituary said that he died in Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon, on Monday, August 20, 1900, age 97 years and 23 days. Andrew Peebler left Iowa in 1855, moving to Atchison County, Kansas. He died in Meridan, Kansas, April 12, 1901. His obituary said that he was 90 years and 3 months old. Samuel Peebler had died in Jefferson County, in 1842, shortly after his arrival. According to the Iowa Genealogical Society, he was born November 9, 1798, died May 14, 1842, and buried in the Old Fairfield Cemetery.
Michael F. Peebler and William Peebler were the only Peebler brothers still living in Jefferson County during the 1860 census. In 1870, William Peebler moved to Montgomery County, Kansas. He died in Independence, Kansas, November 7, 1889. According to his obituary he was born in Kentucky in 1812, was married to Elizabeth Lionberger in 1837, was the father of nine children, and was a member of the Dunkard Church.
Michael F. Peebler remained in Jefferson County, Iowa. He died in 1877 and was buried in the Brethren (Dunkard) Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County. His tombstone reads that he died August 28, 1877, age 68 years, 2 months, 22 days. His wife Frances died in 1894 and was also buried in the Brethren Cemetery. Michael F. and Frances Peeber were two of the eight original members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation. Many of their descendants can be counted among the Brethren of Jefferson County.
The matriarch of the family, Esther [Sears] Peebler, was reported in the church records as having died in 1863 at age 92. If this is correct, she was born about 1771. In the 1850 census she was reported as age 82, suggesting a birth year of about 1768. The year 1768 seems to fit with the rest of the family and if either 1768 or 1771 are her birth year she was born in Maryland since her parents Johannes Zaher (Sears) and Barbara Miller were in Maryland at this time. Her 1860 census has not been found , nor has her burial place been discovered. But she was last in Jefferson County, Iowa.
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NOTE - Above information provided by contributor PJS, a descendant of JOHN SEARS. (ESTHER PEEBLER'S BROTHER)
Esther's father, Johannes Zaher (Sears) sold his land in Rowan County, North Carolina 5 Oct 1796 and by November we find them in Clark County, Kentucky where she is marrying Michael Peebler.
Their marriage bond of November 23, 1796, read "Im Pease to grant a license to marry Mical pebler esther Sears and oblige you to Mr. David Bublack signed John Sears Test David Welty." It appears that her father is no longer married since none of his land records show a wife. There is also a story told in the Peebler descendants that Esther said her mother died when a tree fell on her when she was hanging out the wash. Her mother was Barbara Miller.
In 1799, both Michael Peebler and his brother-in-law, Samuel Sears, were living on Drakes Creek, the Peeblers having purchased 200 acres on April 18, 1799. Michael Peebler purchased 69 more acres on Drakes Creek in 1805, and 71 acres on Dickey Creek in 1807. He was taxed in Logan County, Kentucky, on 340 acres (total) in 1810 and 1811.
In the 1810 Logan County Census, the Michael "Pebler" household had four males and four females. The part of Logan County where the Peeblers lived became Simpson County in 1819. In the 1820 Simpson County Census, there were seven males and four females. Esther [Sears] Peebler's brother Samuel and sister Catherine [Sears] Harmon and their respective families were also living in the Simpson County area of old Logan County during the 1810 and 1820 censuses. It is likely that all three families were associated with the Drakes Creek Brethren at the time.
Of the three Sears siblings, Esther [Sears] Peebler was the first to move to Illinois. The Peebler family moved to Sangamon County in 1826. On October 26, 1826, Michael Peebler bought 231 acres on Spring Creek in Island Grove Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. The Peeblers were joined in Island Grove Township, in 1827, by the Catherine [Sears] Harmon family, and, in 1828, by the Samuel Sears family. The move for all three families was very nearly complete by 1830.
The 1830 Sangamon County Census shows that there were three Peebler households in Island Grove. In the Michael Peebler household were Michael and his wife Esther [Sears] along with five males and two females, probably their children. Next to Michael Peebler was the household of James "Coddle" (Caudill) and his wife Nancy [Peebler], daughter of Michael and Esther Peebler. In this household were the Caudill's three daughters, all under age five, and one older male. The third Peebler household was that of John Peebler. He was married with two sons under age five.
The third oldest son of Michael and Esther Peebler was David Peebler. According to his autobiography he was born July 28, 1803, moved to Illinois in 1826, returned to Kentucky in the Spring of 1827, and was married to (his first cousin) Susan Imbler of Muhlenberg County on July 17, 1827. In the Fall of 1827 he and his bride Susan moved to Sangamon County, Illinois. And, in 1829, he and Susan were baptized in Sangamon County in the German Baptist church by Elder John Dick. The baptism was a year before the Sangamon County (Sugar Creek) Congregation was organized.
David Peebler did not live in a separate household in 1830, so it is possible that he and his wife lived with his parents. If so, that would reduce the number of children of Michael and Esther Peebler living in the Peebler household to five sons and one daughter. With son John and daughter Nancy in separate households, and with the other older male in Nancy's household probably being one of her Peebler brothers, that would raise the number of children to seven sons and two daughters, a tally which squares with most Peebler genealogies.
Between 1830 and 1835, Michael Peebler's three oldest sons— John, Samuel, and David— were buying land in Sangamon County. The second son, Samuel Peebler, married his neighbor, Dorothy Foutch, in Sangamon County, December 15, 1831. The fourth oldest son, Michael F. Peebler, is not known to have purchased land or married in Sangamon County, but there is an account that his oldest daughter, Mary Ann Peebler, was born May 9, 1831, in Sangamon County. The fifth oldest son, Andrew Peebler, married a Susan Hook in Sangamon County, January 1, 1833, but there was also an Andrew Peebler who married a Sarah "Sally" Smith in Hancock County, Illinois, May 31, 1833. Was this the same Andrew Peebler?
In 1836, the Peeblers sold their lands, left Sangamon County, and moved west, most of them ending up in Jefferson County, Iowa. The 1840 Jefferson County Census listed households for the second through sixth oldest sons of Michael Peebler: Samuel Peebler, David Peebler, Michael F. Peebler (sometimes called Michael Peebler Jr.), Andrew Peebler, and William Peebler. The oldest son, John Peebler, was living in Lee County, Iowa, with his wife and a much older man and woman who were probably his parents. The seventh and youngest son, Jacob Peebler was firmly settled in Hancock County, Illinois.
Sometime between 1840 and 1844, Michael and Esther Peebler moved from Lee County to Jefferson County. In 1844, Michael and Esther [Sears] Peebler, David and Susan [Imbler] Peebler, and Michael F. and Frances [Jacks] Peebler, were six of the original eight members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation organized by Elder George Wolfe Jr. The Libertyville church was the first Brethren church to be organized in Iowa. The Peeblers joined by letter, indicating that they had been members of the Sugar Creek, Illinois, Congregation.
Michael and Esther Peebler were still alive during the 1850 Jefferson County Census. Both were living next to Michael jun. (Michael F.) and Frances Peebler in Liberty Township. Michael Peebler died in 1853. He was buried in the Fell Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, no dates on his stone.
After his father's death, David Peebler left Iowa, leading an expedition to Oregon. He first lived in Marion County but settled in Linn County, Oregon, where he remained until his death. His obituary said that he died in Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon, on Monday, August 20, 1900, age 97 years and 23 days. Andrew Peebler left Iowa in 1855, moving to Atchison County, Kansas. He died in Meridan, Kansas, April 12, 1901. His obituary said that he was 90 years and 3 months old. Samuel Peebler had died in Jefferson County, in 1842, shortly after his arrival. According to the Iowa Genealogical Society, he was born November 9, 1798, died May 14, 1842, and buried in the Old Fairfield Cemetery.
Michael F. Peebler and William Peebler were the only Peebler brothers still living in Jefferson County during the 1860 census. In 1870, William Peebler moved to Montgomery County, Kansas. He died in Independence, Kansas, November 7, 1889. According to his obituary he was born in Kentucky in 1812, was married to Elizabeth Lionberger in 1837, was the father of nine children, and was a member of the Dunkard Church.
Michael F. Peebler remained in Jefferson County, Iowa. He died in 1877 and was buried in the Brethren (Dunkard) Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County. His tombstone reads that he died August 28, 1877, age 68 years, 2 months, 22 days. His wife Frances died in 1894 and was also buried in the Brethren Cemetery. Michael F. and Frances Peeber were two of the eight original members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation. Many of their descendants can be counted among the Brethren of Jefferson County.
The matriarch of the family, Esther [Sears] Peebler, was reported in the church records as having died in 1863 at age 92. If this is correct, she was born about 1771. In the 1850 census she was reported as age 82, suggesting a birth year of about 1768. The year 1768 seems to fit with the rest of the family and if either 1768 or 1771 are her birth year she was born in Maryland since her parents Johannes Zaher (Sears) and Barbara Miller were in Maryland at this time. Her 1860 census has not been found , nor has her burial place been discovered. But she was last in Jefferson County, Iowa.
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NOTE - Above information provided by contributor PJS, a descendant of JOHN SEARS. (ESTHER PEEBLER'S BROTHER)
Their marriage bond of November 23, 1796, read "Im Pease to grant a license to marry Mical pebler esther Sears and oblige you to Mr. David Bublack signed John Sears Test David Welty." It appears that her father is no longer married since none of his land records show a wife. There is also a story told in the Peebler descendants that Esther said her mother died when a tree fell on her when she was hanging out the wash. Her mother was Barbara Miller.
In 1799, both Michael Peebler and his brother-in-law, Samuel Sears, were living on Drakes Creek, the Peeblers having purchased 200 acres on April 18, 1799. Michael Peebler purchased 69 more acres on Drakes Creek in 1805, and 71 acres on Dickey Creek in 1807. He was taxed in Logan County, Kentucky, on 340 acres (total) in 1810 and 1811.
In the 1810 Logan County Census, the Michael "Pebler" household had four males and four females. The part of Logan County where the Peeblers lived became Simpson County in 1819. In the 1820 Simpson County Census, there were seven males and four females. Esther [Sears] Peebler's brother Samuel and sister Catherine [Sears] Harmon and their respective families were also living in the Simpson County area of old Logan County during the 1810 and 1820 censuses. It is likely that all three families were associated with the Drakes Creek Brethren at the time.
Of the three Sears siblings, Esther [Sears] Peebler was the first to move to Illinois. The Peebler family moved to Sangamon County in 1826. On October 26, 1826, Michael Peebler bought 231 acres on Spring Creek in Island Grove Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. The Peeblers were joined in Island Grove Township, in 1827, by the Catherine [Sears] Harmon family, and, in 1828, by the Samuel Sears family. The move for all three families was very nearly complete by 1830.
The 1830 Sangamon County Census shows that there were three Peebler households in Island Grove. In the Michael Peebler household were Michael and his wife Esther [Sears] along with five males and two females, probably their children. Next to Michael Peebler was the household of James "Coddle" (Caudill) and his wife Nancy [Peebler], daughter of Michael and Esther Peebler. In this household were the Caudill's three daughters, all under age five, and one older male. The third Peebler household was that of John Peebler. He was married with two sons under age five.
The third oldest son of Michael and Esther Peebler was David Peebler. According to his autobiography he was born July 28, 1803, moved to Illinois in 1826, returned to Kentucky in the Spring of 1827, and was married to (his first cousin) Susan Imbler of Muhlenberg County on July 17, 1827. In the Fall of 1827 he and his bride Susan moved to Sangamon County, Illinois. And, in 1829, he and Susan were baptized in Sangamon County in the German Baptist church by Elder John Dick. The baptism was a year before the Sangamon County (Sugar Creek) Congregation was organized.
David Peebler did not live in a separate household in 1830, so it is possible that he and his wife lived with his parents. If so, that would reduce the number of children of Michael and Esther Peebler living in the Peebler household to five sons and one daughter. With son John and daughter Nancy in separate households, and with the other older male in Nancy's household probably being one of her Peebler brothers, that would raise the number of children to seven sons and two daughters, a tally which squares with most Peebler genealogies.
Between 1830 and 1835, Michael Peebler's three oldest sons— John, Samuel, and David— were buying land in Sangamon County. The second son, Samuel Peebler, married his neighbor, Dorothy Foutch, in Sangamon County, December 15, 1831. The fourth oldest son, Michael F. Peebler, is not known to have purchased land or married in Sangamon County, but there is an account that his oldest daughter, Mary Ann Peebler, was born May 9, 1831, in Sangamon County. The fifth oldest son, Andrew Peebler, married a Susan Hook in Sangamon County, January 1, 1833, but there was also an Andrew Peebler who married a Sarah "Sally" Smith in Hancock County, Illinois, May 31, 1833. Was this the same Andrew Peebler?
In 1836, the Peeblers sold their lands, left Sangamon County, and moved west, most of them ending up in Jefferson County, Iowa. The 1840 Jefferson County Census listed households for the second through sixth oldest sons of Michael Peebler: Samuel Peebler, David Peebler, Michael F. Peebler (sometimes called Michael Peebler Jr.), Andrew Peebler, and William Peebler. The oldest son, John Peebler, was living in Lee County, Iowa, with his wife and a much older man and woman who were probably his parents. The seventh and youngest son, Jacob Peebler was firmly settled in Hancock County, Illinois.
Sometime between 1840 and 1844, Michael and Esther Peebler moved from Lee County to Jefferson County. In 1844, Michael and Esther [Sears] Peebler, David and Susan [Imbler] Peebler, and Michael F. and Frances [Jacks] Peebler, were six of the original eight members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation organized by Elder George Wolfe Jr. The Libertyville church was the first Brethren church to be organized in Iowa. The Peeblers joined by letter, indicating that they had been members of the Sugar Creek, Illinois, Congregation.
Michael and Esther Peebler were still alive during the 1850 Jefferson County Census. Both were living next to Michael jun. (Michael F.) and Frances Peebler in Liberty Township. Michael Peebler died in 1853. He was buried in the Fell Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, no dates on his stone.
After his father's death, David Peebler left Iowa, leading an expedition to Oregon. He first lived in Marion County but settled in Linn County, Oregon, where he remained until his death. His obituary said that he died in Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon, on Monday, August 20, 1900, age 97 years and 23 days. Andrew Peebler left Iowa in 1855, moving to Atchison County, Kansas. He died in Meridan, Kansas, April 12, 1901. His obituary said that he was 90 years and 3 months old. Samuel Peebler had died in Jefferson County, in 1842, shortly after his arrival. According to the Iowa Genealogical Society, he was born November 9, 1798, died May 14, 1842, and buried in the Old Fairfield Cemetery.
Michael F. Peebler and William Peebler were the only Peebler brothers still living in Jefferson County during the 1860 census. In 1870, William Peebler moved to Montgomery County, Kansas. He died in Independence, Kansas, November 7, 1889. According to his obituary he was born in Kentucky in 1812, was married to Elizabeth Lionberger in 1837, was the father of nine children, and was a member of the Dunkard Church.
Michael F. Peebler remained in Jefferson County, Iowa. He died in 1877 and was buried in the Brethren (Dunkard) Cemetery, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County. His tombstone reads that he died August 28, 1877, age 68 years, 2 months, 22 days. His wife Frances died in 1894 and was also buried in the Brethren Cemetery. Michael F. and Frances Peeber were two of the eight original members of the Libertyville Brethren Congregation. Many of their descendants can be counted among the Brethren of Jefferson County.
The matriarch of the family, Esther [Sears] Peebler, was reported in the church records as having died in 1863 at age 92. If this is correct, she was born about 1771. In the 1850 census she was reported as age 82, suggesting a birth year of about 1768. The year 1768 seems to fit with the rest of the family and if either 1768 or 1771 are her birth year she was born in Maryland since her parents Johannes Zaher (Sears) and Barbara Miller were in Maryland at this time. Her 1860 census has not been found , nor has her burial place been discovered. But she was last in Jefferson County, Iowa.
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NOTE - Above information provided by contributor PJS, a descendant of JOHN SEARS. (ESTHER PEEBLER'S BROTHER)
