AFTER THE WAR
After the war Mr. Peddicord worked on a farm until the spring of 1867,
when he moved to Palmyra, Missouri, and on the 22nd of May, 1867,
resumed farming, which occupation he followed for twelve years.
In the spring of 1880 he moved into Palmyra, where he kept a hotel up to
and part of 1883. After this he filled many positions, being secretary
for a number of years of the Subordinate and the County Granges,
director and treasurer of The Fair Association, director and secretary
Board of Directors of Grange Store. He was second in command of Palmyra
Grays, Missouri State Guard; councilman and city clerk of Palmyra,
acting secretary Missouri State Sporting Club. He arranged and organized
fancy drills, viz: “Broom Brigade,” “Flag Brigade,” “Little Mackerels
Brigade,” “Umbrella Brigade,” etc.
During the years 1885 and 1886 he filled a responsible position with
Smith Bros., clothiers, in Palmyra.
On July 1, 1887, he went to Hannibal, Missouri, where he was engaged
with Jas. M. Nickell, the postmaster, until November 1, 1887.
President Cleveland appointed Mr. Peddicord postmaster of Palmyra in
May, 1888, and he took charge of the post-office July 1, 1888, after
having been on duty in the office since April 27, assisting the acting
postmaster, Geo. B. Thompson.
He was corresponding secretary of the Democratic Club in 1892, and in
1893 was connected with the Empire Drill.
He was bookkeeper and assistant to Mr. Samuel Logan, cashier in First
National Bank, Palmyra, Missouri, during 1891 and 1892 and up to
February 1, 1893. Secretary and vice-president First Congressional
District for the Missouri Confederate Home at Higginsville, Missouri,
1890 to 1896. In April, 1895, he was appointed aide-de-camp to Maj.-Gen.
J. O. Shelby, commanding Missouri United Confederate Veterans, to rank
as lieutenant-colonel. He attended the Confederate Reunion, Richmond,
Virginia, June 30, July 1 and 2, 1896, on Maj.-Gen. Shelby’s staff; also
Missouri State Reunion at Liberty, Missouri, August 26 and 27, 1896. He
attended nearly all the reunions of United Confederate Veterans, the
last one being that of June, 1905.
It is said “variety is the spice of life.” Here in this busy life we
find spice for a fact, mountains high. Not many have enjoyed this luxury
so abundantly. First, the smiling school boy; second, the young
tobacconist; third, the young farmer; fourth, the civil engineer; fifth,
the soldier and farmer; sixth, the landlord; seventh, the postmaster.
Adding the varieties and changes of each we find him successful in the
many undertakings of life—but in the “pursuit of wealth,” a perfect
failure.
Like his father, he attained a high average in all he undertook, firm in
the belief that what man had done, man could do.
He was skilled as a horseman, and an educator and master of all animals
through kindness and patience. As a marksman, an oarsman, and an
all-around advocate of true manly sports he represented the ideal type.
Kelion Franklin Peddicord died August 28, 1905.