Dr. J. W. Peavler was born in Washington County, Ind., July 20, 1840.  Our subject is a son of Gabriel, and Nancy (McKinney) Peavler.  The father was a native of Tennessee, the mother of Washington County, Ind.  Subject was the third of twelve children, and of that number six are now living.  When two  years old, his father came to Clark County, Ind.; there our subject was first permitted to attend school.  In 1856, his father came to Jefferson County, and settled in Spring GardenTownship, and here subject attended school until eighteen, and then taught for two years in that township.  He next went to Mount Vernon, where he read medicine with his Uncle, Dr. H. J. Peavler.  With this gentleman he remained three years, and then went to Medical Department of the Michigan State University, located at Ann Arbor, from which institution he graduated in 1864.  He immediatley located at Knob's Prarie, this county, and there practiced some five years.  From that location he went to Chicago, and there practiced for about one year, also attending lectures.  He next came to his present location in Spring Garden Township, where he has practiced most of the time since, except in 1878, when he attended the American Medical College, at St. Louis,from which he graduated and in 1879, when he attended the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, and also graduated from that institution.

   His present practice extends over a large portion of this county and portions of Franklin County.  The Doctor is at present a member of the Missouri State Medical Society.  Dr. Peavler was married, August 4, 1867, to Victoria Hagle, a daughter of John W. and Mahalia Boswell Hagle.  This lady is a native of this county, and is the mother of six children, five of whom are now living Eugene, Minnie, Mazie, Ethel and Harry.  Subject is a member of Williams Lodge, No. 242, I.O.O.F., of Spring Garden, and No. 765, Ewing Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In politics, is a republican.