THE McPEAKE BROTHERS, partners in one of the leading groceries of Canonsburg, are representatives of a prominent pioneer family. Thomas McPeake, the grandfather was a native of Ireland, but came to America, with his parents, at age of seven years. His parents located in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was brought up and learned shoemaking. In 1810 he married a Miss Updegraff; he served in the war of 1812. He was a Whig in politics, and in religion was a member of the Union Church, but afterward became a Methodist. His children were, in order of birth, Harman, Harriet, Margaret, Nancy, William, John, Mary, Henry C., Eliza and James. Henry C. McPeake was born in 1827, in Canonsburg, where he was reared to manhood. He was one of the best known teamsters on the celebrated Pittsburgh Turnpike. He then conducted a grocery store for ten years, and selling out engaged in speculation for two years, finally resuming the grocery business, which he followed for six years, and then he retired from active life. In early manhood he was married to a Miss Bacon, who bore him the following children: Stewart, Mary E., Harry, George C. and Oliver. Mr. McPeake was very successful in business and in politics was a prominent member of the Republican party, holding various local offices. He possessed a kindly disposition, and was a liberal man. Stewart McPeake is the senior member of the well-known firm of McPeake Brothers in Canonsburg, and is yet unmarried. His brother, George C., is the junior partner, and is married to Agnes, daughter of S. B. Thompson. The two brothers commenced business in a modest way three years ago on Pike street; but by industry and good management soon increased their custom, and being compelled to seek larger quarters moved to their present location in 1889. Both are stanch members of the Republican party.

Text taken from page 1080 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Richard Singhaus of Carlsbad, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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