The following is taken from the Autobiography -- LIFE OF O. H. PEED: Then on the 14th of December, 1896, I and Mrs. Margret S. Parker was married in Hutchinson, Kansas. As previously stated my son, Orland Harvey went to Boise Idaho, and on the breaking out of the Phillipine Insurrection he enlisted in Company H. 1st Idaho regiment and went to the Pillipine Islands, and when the war closed returned to the United States and with the regiment was discharged with the rank of sergeant at Boise Idaho. He had contracted an illness, chronic diarrhea, which resulted in his death on January 18th, 1900, at his brother Frank’s home in Florence, Colorado. After his discharge at Boise from the United States service, Harvey had started with the intention of coming home but only got to Florence, when his illness steadily grew worse. On receiving a telegram from Frank that Harvey was very low, and I should come at once. As soon as possible I took a train for Florence. But I arrived too late to see him alive. His frail body already was coffined, and burial services were conducted the next day at Colorado City. As before stated, he died January 18th, 1900, in the 25th year of his age. Short alas, was his race from the cradle to the grave. With a saddened heart I returned home to resume the daily routine in the battle of life. It is said time and tide waits for no one, and that being true, the year of 1900, like it’s predecessors passed swiftly by and the spring of 1901 was duly ushered in. On the 9th of March of that year another one of my girls was married, Estella and Everett Hoffman in Nickerson, Kansas. Another year flew by on the wings of time and brought in the year of 1902, and my remaining girl Cora and Paul L. Warner was married April 23d, at Colorado Springs, Colorado. My family of children had been reduced to only one, Elmer remained with me. During the fall of 1903, I sold my five acre home at Nickerson Kansas and I, my wife and Elmer late in November

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took a Santa Fe train for Fresno California. After a ride of two or three days and nights we arrived in the California city, tired and strangers in a strange city. I had previously carried on a short correspondence with Comrade Parker, a department official of the Grand Army of the Republic department of California and Nevada. Although I failed to mention it before in this history of my life, I was also a member of the G.A.R. having joined post No. 204 Neodesha, Kansas G.A.R. in the year 1884. Comrade Parker in his correspondence with me, claimed California was ideal place for old Civil War soldiers to spend their declining years, therefore he is responsible, somewhat to my being in the land of sunshine and oranges. I have never regretted taking his advice. Comrade Parker met us at the depot in Fresno and piloted us to a hotel, where we remained a short time till we could get located. After a stay in Fresno of about ten days we went to Clovis 10 or 11 miles northeast of the city, and rented a house. After looking around a few days I bought a five acre lot a mile or two southwest of the town, and we became permanently located for about four years. Grape culture seemed to be carried on quite extensively in the vicinity, both of raisin and tumble grape variety. As my place was mostly unimproved land, during the spring of 1904 I put out three and a half acres to grapes, and later on planted a peach orchard. During the latter part of July, Elmer took sick and gradually grew weaker and thinner in flesh, I employed a doctor from Clovis, but his treatment failed to be of much or any benefit to Elmer. I called in another doctor, a Doctor Bland. His treatment for a time seemed to be of more benefit to the patient than the former doctor’s treatment had. But careful nursing and the doctor’s medicine failed to bring about a permanent rally, for pneumonia developed and on the 28th of August, 1904, Elmer passed away. During his sickness he expressed a desire to

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return to Kansas. I promised him that he should go back when he got well. That seemed to revive him somewhat. But promises, medical treatment, nor a father’s care could stay the advance of grim reaper. He was in his 18th year of his age and had always been a dutiful child. On August the 30th, the remains of my poor Elmer were buried in the Clovis cemetery. During the fall I erected a paling around the grave that stood the ravages of time for over 20 years. And had I been near enough to keep it in repair, it might have been there today. During the remaining three years I and wife lived in the vicinity of Clovis I always had employment of one kind or another, when I could spare the time from my home affairs, picking raisins, table grapes or working in packing sheds, where girls and women packed grapes in crates for shipment to eastern markets. Water was obtainable for irrigation use from March to October at sixtytwo and a half cents per acre per year. Of course the consumer built his own laterals, or ditches. I think it was in the early summer of 1907 wife and I took a couple of weeks vacation and went on a visit to Los Angeles and Anaheim to see some of my relatives who had come to California during the previous year. On our returning to Clovis, I concluded to sell the home and move to Anaheim. A sale was made and I guess it was that winter, or early in the spring of 1908, we moved down there. I rented a house and about an acre of ground with it, paying $7.00 a month. I was advised to plant the land to early potatoes as I would find a ready market for them. I planted the potatoes in February, and by the first of May found I had a very good crop. I got busy and tried to make some sale, but met with poor success. I finally disposed of them at one cent a pound in trade. The potato business with me was a failure. That summer I bought two acres of land just outside the town limits. The only improvements was a box house containing two rooms. Wife and

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I got busy and put down a four inch well, finding water at the depth of 80 feet. I found work quite readily among the neighbors at fair wages. In the spring of 1909 I planted about one acre and a half of the place to grape cuttings. They grew fairly well notwithstanding the scarcity of water which owing to the distance it came in an uncemented ditch I got about half the water I paid for. I sold the place in 1911, and we moved into a rented house in Anaheim. In the spring of 1912 I bought a five room house and two lots, and also a two room California, or box house and one lot 25 by 150 feet all belonging to the same owner for $1500.00 paying most of it down, and the rest on the installment plan. Both houses contained renters. The family in the small house soon moved out and Margret and I then occupied it. In the course of a year the family occupying the larger building moved out and we then occupied it and rented the smaller one. That was the last move for death entered the home and claimed Margret later on. In the course of a year, I think it was, we both joined the Christian church there in Anaheim, feeling it a duty we owed ourselves and to God. There was a 25 foot lot lying between the small house and my other lots that belonged to another party which I bought and added to the small house lot, making a 50 foot lot for the small house. I also built an additional room to it making it a three room dwelling. I believe it was in 1914 that word came to us dwelling on Vine street we must put in a five foot sidewalk, or we would cease to get our mail by carrier. Yes of course we was subject to the orders of the city dads and must act according. I engaged a man to do my 100 foot long sidewalk work, paying about sixty-five dollars for the job which included a two foot walk from sidewalk to the larger house. Sewer connections and gas were later on added necessities for the home. During the year of 1915 a cancer appeared on Margret’s face just below her left eye. Seeing an advertisement

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in a newspaper of Dr. C. S. Meradith, San Gabriel, Cal, being a cancer doctor, we called on him, and made arrangements for treatment which continued weekly from Sunday March the 14th, 1915, to Nov. 5th, Twenty-nine trips. Trips were then discontinued until Thursday, Dec. 23d. when we began going again to visit Dr. Meradith at San Gabriel but not as often as formerly. 31st trip January 9th, 1916. On or about Tuesday Jan. 18th, the Santa Ana river overflowed its banks and a large body of water flooded Anaheim and vicinity. It completely surrounded our house on Vine Street except a strip of the back yard two or three feet wide at the southeast corner of the house. At daylight Thursday morning, Jan 20th, the water had receded from our front yard, leaving about a half inch of very sticky sediment. Train service was badly crippled. On Thursday Jan. 27th the second flood began coming in just before daylight, but didn’t reach the height of the first one. Flood greatly reduced by Saturday evening Jan. 29th. Monday Feb. 7th, 32d trip to San Gabriel. Went by train from Anaheim to Los Angeles then by street car to San Gabriel. Most all the former trips were by automobile driven by various persons. The cancer continued to gradually spread. But Margret and I continued to visit the doctor. She had the faith that he would cure it, or at least check its progress. Monday Feb. 14th, 33d trip, went by train and street car service. Monday Feb 21st, 34th trip, Monday Feb. 28th, 35th trip, Monday March 6th, 36th trip. Monday March 13th, 37th trip. Saturday March 25th, 38th trip. Mr. Thorn took us in auto. Cost $1.50 Distance to San Gabriel about 27 miles. The 39th trip to see the doctor was Sunday May 7th, 1916. According to notes I kept at the time, there was quite a space of time intervened before we visited the doctor again, which was Sunday Oct. 29th when we made our 40th trip. The round trip carfare for

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both to San Gabriel and back was $2.20. We made round trips to San Gabriel on the following dates. Nov. 5th, 41st, Nov. 12th, 42d, Nov. 19th, 43d, Saturday Nov. 25th, 44th trip. Sunday Dec. 3d, 45th trip, Sunday Dec. 10th, 46th trip. Our next trip to see Dr. Meradith was on Sunday Dec. 24th, the 47th one, and the last one for 1916. If I remember right, Margret’s left eye was beginning to be affected at about that time, from inroads of the cancer. On Monday, New Years Day, 1917, we went with Arthur Smith and family to Orange County Park, and from there to Newport Beach. Sunday Jan. 7th, 1917, Went on our 48th trip to San Gabriel. The next trip, the 49th, one was on Sunday Feb. 4th. On March 4th, we took our 50th trip to San Gabriel. On Sunday April the 1st, 1917, we again went to see Dr. Meradith, it being the 51st trip and no cancer cure was in sight for Margret. On Sunday April 29th, our 52d trip was taken to San Gabriel. The 53d journey was on May 27th. While I have not mentioned it, every few trips I paid the doctor a few dollars. I told him when he began treating the case, I was not able to pay fancy prices. He said, “That’s all right, pay what you are able.” The 54th trip occurred on Sunday June 24th. Our next trip, the 55th, one was on July 22d. We remained at home until August 19th, before going on the 56th journey to the doctor’s office. It was September the 16th before we again was in the doctor’s office, and had rode with Mr. George Bogue on this the 57th trip. The ride up there and back cost us $1.00 for the two of us. After having taken the 59th trip to San Gabriel, which was on Sunday Oct. 21st, 1917, I bought a commutation card for $6.56, good for 25 rides on a Santa Fe train between Anaheim and Los Angeles, which was quite a bit cheaper than the regular fare, which was for round trip for both of us $2.20 or $1.10 for one. The commutation card lasted until the 70th round trip which was on Sunday, January 20th, 1918. Sometimes Margret went alone and when I went

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both used the card. But for some cause I went back to regular carfare on the 71st round trip which was on Sunday Feb, the 3d, and on that date I began paying war tax which was 6 cents on each Santa Fe ticket making $1.16 per ticket between Anaheim and Los Angeles, which held the same until on Sunday June 23d, when I bought round trip tickets for the 79th round trip, the price per ticket had jumped to $1.72 per ticket. And the street car line from Los Angeles to San Gabriel charged 30 cents round trip per passengers. Alice Peed and children arrived Wednesday June 5th, 1918, from Florence Colorado, remaining until Saturday June 29th, when Frank and family moved to Fullerton, California. According to the notes of our trips to Dr. Meradith’s ceased for a long time after the 80th one, which occurred Sunday July 14th, 1918. During 1915 there were 30 round trips made to San Gabriel, the last one being on Thursday Dec. 23d. As near as I can figure it out, the cost for transportation on those trips was $9.95. Several of them were automobile rides and cost me nothing. One notable event I will mention. On Friday Nov. 12th, 1915, the famous Liberty bell arrived at the Santa Fe station at 10 o’clock A.M. It was on a flat car attached to rear of passenger train drawn by Engine No. 3529. The stop was only 5 or 10 minutes. The famous old bell was viewed by hundreds of people. Word was received later on that it arrived in Philadelphia at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 25th, after being placed in its resting place in Independence Hall, prayer for its safe return was offered by Ref. Louis C. Washburn. By referring to my notes of 1916 transportation charges on round trips to San Gabriel amounted to $23.40, there being only 17 trips during the year. Last one being Sunday Dec. 24th. During 1917 there were 21 round trips made at a cost of $31.37. During 1918 there were only 12 round trips ending Sunday July 14th at a cost of $18.36. During 1919 not a trip was made to see the doctor although

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the cancer was not cured It did not seem to trouble her. During the year we made many pleasant visits to one place and another. We never tired of going to the beaches. On Saturday August 9th, we went to Bixby Park, Long Beach, to an Iowa picnic and to see the fleet of war ships that began arriving in early afternoon. Before passing on to happenings of 1920 I will mention the purchase of a slab of government bacon at the price of 23 cents per pound. As every year has a habit of doing, the year 1919 slipped away and the untried one of 1920 showed up bright and early New Years morning. In general appearances it was similar to previous New Years mornings that had visited our world. Along toward the last of May, Margret feeling fairly well expressed a desire to go back to Kansas and Oklahoma on a visit to see her children. But the trip did not take place until September. In the meantime I wrote, telling them of her wish, and asked that someone come out and accompany her on the proposed trip. She had had two or three sick spells early in the year, and might become sick while on the journey east. Guy Lewis, a grandson, came out during early September and accompanied her on the trip. They left over the Santa Fe, September 8th. A letter later on informed me they arrived in Hutchinson, Kans in the afternoon of Sept. 10. Before Margret’s departure, I sold the small house and two 25 foot lots on August 18th, to Elvin H. Gregg and wife for $1600.00 cash down. Margret returned home from her Oklahoma visit Thursday morning December 30th, 1920. She reported of enjoying a pleasant visit, with her children and acquaintances. Her cancer appeared about the same as when she went on her visit. She still had faith that Dr. Meradith could cure it. But I didn’t think so, for she had previously made 80 trips to his office for treatments, and instead of staying its progress it had gradually spread and destroyed her left eye. We began our second series of trips to see Dr. Meradith for a continued treatment on

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Wednesday Feb. 23d, 1921. I bought Crown stage commutation books good for 30 one way rides at 37 and 3/5 cents per passenger between Anaheim and Los Angeles. Carfare on street car line from Los Angeles to San Gabriel was 21 cents one way per passenger. Two round trip tickets from Anaheim to San Gabriel under the commutation system, cost $2.34. The books were $11.25 each. When not using the book system round trips for two cost $3.44. During1921 we made 24 round trips, the cost being $59.46. During the year we made occasional visits to the beaches, to relatives and other places. On Wednesday Oct. 12th, 1921, my brother-in-law John P. Manning died at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial hospital, Los Angeles, and his wife (my sister) Etta died an hour later, of shock and possibly heart trouble, at the same place on arrival and was informed of his death. The double funeral was held at Pierce Brother’s Funeral parlor on Friday the 14th. Burial was in I. O. O. F. cemetery. In referring again to my notes I see our last trip to San Gabriel for 1921 was on December 14th. The 25th trip after Margret’s return from Oklahoma occurred Jan. 18th, 1922. As usual when she felt fairly well we visited beaches or other places. I had noticed as time went by that she was becoming more frail. She had two or three sick spells with gall trouble during 1921 and as 1922 lengthened out they became more frequent and painful. But Dr. Utter or Dr. Truxaw would relieve her, and in a day or two she’d be up again. On August 17th, Margret’s daughter, Nora Wilson and two grandchildren, Forest and Neva arrived about 8:00 P.M. from Olympia, Washington. Their visit was very unexpected, and quite a surprise to us. Margret was sick with gallstone trouble. Dr. Utter had been called about 5 o’clock that evening and she was resting easier. On Sunday August 20th, Nora and her children went in their automobile to Newport Beach. On Tuesday morning the 22d, Forest and Neva started on their return trip to Olympia, leaving their mother to

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return by train later on. As her mother was up and around as usual, Nora left for home at 12:15 p.m. Monday September 11th, over the Southern Pacific railway. On Monday Oct 9th, we went to San Gabriel. It was the 37th one, since Margret had returned home from her visit to see her children, and the last one she would ever make to San Gabriel to see Dr. Meradith. For at 8:30 p.m. Monday October 16th, 1922, she passed away. Gallstone trouble was the cause of her death. Medical aid had been faithfully used but it failed to stay the grim reaper. The body was taken to the Huddle Funeral parlors, and the children notified by telegraph of the death of their mother. They all seemed unable to come. The funeral sermon was delivered by the Methodist Minister, Rev. J. A. Geissinger at 2:00 p.m. Friday Oct. 20th, at the Huddle Funeral parlors. Text St. John chap. 14, ver. 1, 6. Clinton Parker, her son informed me by telegraph that the children would like to have the corpse shipped to Raymond, Kansas, for burial. I accordingly shipped the body over the Santa Fe route Saturday morning October 21st, 1922. Express charges for the same were $127.20. Other expenses connected with the funeral, such as casket, embalming, hearse service for taking body to Fullerton from where shipment was made and etc was $135.00, grand total being $262.20. As some of the receipts have been lost or misplaced, I do not know positive, but I think I paid Dr. Meradith about $100.00 for his services. For a short time after Margret’s death, I lived alone, but soon sold my household goods, rented the house, and went to live with Cora and family up at or near Olinda. I continued to live around with my three children, first one and then another, for a little over 4 years when finally on December 1st, 1926, I rented a room from Mrs. Cora M. Vestal, 2213 F Street, Bakersfield, Calif, and from that time on have been a roomer with different families in Bakersfield. My present address is 1807 Maple Ave, Bakersfield where I am a roomer in

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the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Gilbert, and have been for over 4 years, moving in Wednesday morning April 18th, 1928. This is the 26th day of May 1932. My how time has fled. It seems but a few months instead of years since those eventful days of 1922 when death entered my family circle for the fourth time. But death is the destiny of the human race, and none can shun the payment of that debt. The home 116 Vine Street, Anaheim, I owned 12 years or more, has passed into the keeping of another owner but memories connected with the ownership still linger with me. It should have been mentioned before that the 13 trips in 1922 ended at the cost of $43.94 being $3.38 the round trip. Being for the 117 round trips, about $108.66. I cheerfully bore all expenses, hoping a cure of the cancer would be effected. But such was not to be. I will now bring this brief history of my life to a close. Much, very much more could be written that might be interesting to some extent. For a person born back beyond the middle of the 19th century should be rather good authority as to how business was conducted before the invention of the present day conveniences, and have come to be a necessity in this age and generation. But my aim has been only to give the main points in my career as I saw them, or enacted them. The reader of these lines is requested to excuse the many errors that will be found, for the author never had the opportunity that is now so generously presented to the student of today. My education was of the backwoods variety. Only the doors of the common district school were open to me. I am now in my 90th year, and am a member of the First Christian Church of Bakersfield, California. And am trying to live up to the vow I made to God on the battle field of Stones River Tenn.

Very respectfully yours,
Oliver H. Peed, Late Private of Co, K.
86th, Ind. Vol. Inft, 3d, Brig, 3d Div.
4th A.C. Army of The Cumberland U.S.A.

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