"An Illustrated History of Skagit and Snohomish Counties." Interstate Publishing Company, 1906. p. 604. JOHN J. PETH The career of the gentleman whose life history it is now our task to outline, furnishes a striking illustration of what energy, continuity of purpose and intelligence can accomplish under the favorable conditions presented by Skagit county's abundant resources. Coming to Washington with very little in the way of worldly goods, he applied himself with great assiduity to the task of winning his way to independence and fortune, with the result that he now has both, and he has with them the respect always commanded by those with force enough to conquer every obstacle which may lie in their pathways and to press forward unceasingly until a worthy goal is reached. Mr. Peth was born in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, the oldest of the ten children of Jacob J. and Barbara (Burg) Peth. His father, a native of German Switzerland, was born May 13, 1822, in Canton Basel, became a settler of Wisconsin during its pioneer days, was married there August 19, 1851, and had a part in its early development. In later years he went to Nebraska, where his wife, who was born September 28, 1833, still lives, but he passed away May 8, 1896. Our subject received his education in the public schools of the Badger state, and when nineteen years old struck out for himself, going first to Michigan, where he was employed as an engineer for over a year. He then returned to Wisconsin, living for a time under the parental roof, ---- eventually, in 1877, he turned his face resolutely westward, nor paused in his journey until he reached the Nooksack valley, near the northwestern corner of the most northwesterly state. For a number of years after coming to the La Conner country he worked in various parts of the county for John Chilberg, Samuel Calhoun, Thomas Lindsey and others, making a heroic effort to get a start. In 1881, after having learned the method of farming which gave the best results under the local conditions, and having saved some means, he began operations for himself on leased land, and by 1883 was able to purchase the hundred and twenty acre tract upon which he now resides. At this time only thirty acres of the land were in cultivation, but Mr. Peth went to work on the balance with characteristic energy and in due time had it cleared and ready for the plow. By the exercise of industry and good judgment he has been enabled to add to his original holdings from time to time, until his home place now consists of four hundred and fifty acres, of which all but twenty are under cultivation. It is supplied with everything which goes to make farm life convenient and comfortable, a large, commodious mansion house, fine barns, warehouses, etc., and its owner never overlooks an opportunity to make its operation more profitable. In this he is influenced not so much by the desire of gain as a wish to achieve the best and highest success in his business. He realizes the value of livestock on a farm, so keeps large numbers of cattle, horses and sheep. His entire realty holdings in Skagit county comprise thirteen hundred acres, about half of which is in cultivation. Those who know the value of this land can appreciate more fully than they can who live where land is cheaper what it means to have acquired all this, with the valuable improvements upon it, by one's own efforts and with no start except such as was gained by working for wages. The fact that he accomplished so much proves Mr. Peth to be a man of unusual energy, combined with rare executive ability. In Seattle, Washington, on December 14, 1899 Mr. Peth married Miss Mary J., daughter of Isaac and Mary J. (Dove) Black, both natives of Alabama. The family went to Texas at an early date, and Mrs. Black died there, but Mr. Black is now a resident of the Samish flats, having come to Washington some years ago. Mrs. Peth was born in Texas, February 22, 1870, and she received her educational training there and in Seattle. She and Mr. Peth are parents of three children, namely, Florence M., born September 17, 1900; John J., Jr., October 30, 1902, and George E., January 16, 1904. While working out his splendid industrial success in Skagit county, Mr. Peth has not neglected his duties as a man and a citizen, but has taken a reasonable interest always in the affairs of his community and county. He has not, however, been in politics for personal preferment, though he is a loyal Republican and interested in its caucuses and conventions and success. The two offices he has consented to fill are such as a man usually accepts from a sense of duty, for the sake of honor or emolument. He belongs to one fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in November 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.