My Genealogy Hound

Albert Peel is one of the representatives of the mercantile interests at Avoca, Ark., and was born in 1837, in Marshall County, Miss. His father, who was also named Albert Peel, was born, reared and married in Alabama, his wife’s maiden name being Elizabeth Anderson. His father’s name was Hunter Peel, who was cousin of Robert Peel, of England. Hunter lived at Huntsville, Ala., and erected the first water-works in that city. Albert and Elizabeth (Anderson) Peel were farmers by occupation, and became the parents of one son, Albert. When he was about six months old the father died, and the mother immediately moved to Arkansas, locating in what is now Benton County, where she afterward married Hiram Davis. Here Albert Peel was reared, but his education was received in Kentucky. On leaving school he returned to Arkansas, where he has since made his home. Mary K. Anderson became his wife in 1867, and five of their children are living: Albert H., Mary E., Amy K., Prentice E. and Annie A. Mrs. Peel died in 1880, and Mr. Peel took Margaret C. Morrison for his second wife. They have two children; Albert Addison and Eugene Lamar. Mr. Peel is now a widower, his wife having died in 1888. He served four years in the Confederate army, and when peace was declared he returned to Arkansas, and in 1868 began merchandising on Pea Ridge, but at the end of about a year and a half moved his goods to what is now Brightwater, and afterward located and named the town of Avoca. He began life with a very small capital, which, by judicious management, has so rapidly increased that he is now one of the wealthy farmers and merchants of the county. He owns a branch store at Garfield, Ark., a grist and saw mill on Prairie Creek, and about 1,000 acres of land with 140 acres in orchard. He is a Democrat, and a member of the A. F. & A. M.