An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 306-307 J.L. PEEL, Auditor of Spokane county, Washington, was born near Jackson, Tennessee, in 1834, only child of James and Martha (Weaver) Peel. His father was a native of England, and by occupation was a machinist and millwright. Young Peel attended an academy at Somerville and then took a classical course at Jackson College, Memphis, Tennessee. At the age of sixteen he came West, arriving in San Francisco, August 20, 1850, and on the Pacific coast he has since resided. For sixteen years he was a miner and was subjected to all the vicissitudes of a pioneer. He took his part in the various Indian fights, and at various times was engaged as merchant, rancher, packer, accountant and railroad employee and he also filled various public offices. He was Surveyor, Assessor and Justice of the Peace at different times, during his stay in Plumas county, California, and was Justice of the Peace in Nevada county, that State. Mr. Peel arrived in Spokane Falls, April 17, 1884, and the ensuing fall was elected Justice of the Peace for this township. Subsequently, he received the appointment of Postmaster of Spokane, and took charge of the office September 1, 1886, retiring September 7, 1889, having served three years and seven days. When Mr. Peel assumed the duties of this office Spokane had a population of 4,000. During his incumbency the population increased to 20,000; and in order to supply the needs of the people he embarrassed himself financially in endeavoring to supply clerical help. After retiring from the office he was engaged as register and collector for the city water works. In 1890 he was elected Auditor, which office he has ably filled, and in 1892 he was renominated by the Democratic County Convention, for the same office, the nomination being by acclamation, and was elected. Mr. Peel was married in 1860 to Miss Mary E. Robinson, a native of Missouri, but a resident of California at the time of their marriage. They have five children. Lelia A. is the wife of E.J. Dyer, cashier of the Exchange National Bank of Spokane. Mattie E. married an enterprising and well-to-do Nevada gentleman. Howell W. is an employee and stockholder at Holly, Mason, Works & Co., one of the largest establishments in the Northwest; Etta M. is the wife of Frank C. Landrum of Centralia, Washington; and Bell has just graduated at the high school in this city. Mr. Peel is a man of broad and progressive views, is a great student and has read much of the current literature of the day. He is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.