Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-18
WAS AN IOWA MAN
ABNER PEELER, INVENTOR OF
MUCH USED TYPEWRITER,
DIED in POVERTY.

Millions Evaded His Grasp-Was a
Gun and Lock Smith at Webster
City-A Natural Born Genius-Ar-
rested for Counterfeiting.
Abner Peeler, inventor of the orig
inal typewriter was an Iowa man and
at one time resided at Webster City
where he made living as a gun and
locksmith. Though millions have
been made from his invention Peeler
died a poor man.
The following interesting sketch OF
this natural born genius appeared re-
Gently in a paper published at his old
home.
"a natural born genius, he made
and perfected probably hundred diff
ferent things during his lifetime OF
one kind and another, none OF which
brought him into prominence as an in
yentor or produced anything more
than passing notice, with the excep-
ton of his model typewriter, which
did attract attention at Washington
when he went there to secure pat
ent on it. With his wife and two chill
dren. Peeler lived in quiet way,
known to the community and his &C
quaintances as man who was gifted
with an ability to make most anything
he turned his hands to, but rather &C.
centric in his habits aud manners.
| In ar Hit1y
was possessed Of the ordinary collec-
ton Of tools, such as are common to
gunsmiths. Whenever occasion de-
manded something not at hand, this
genius stopped his work long enough
to make such as was needed. 1t was
this way when he conceived the idea
of making writing machine. Such a
thing had never been seen, heard Of,
of talked Of. It was an original idea
that Peeler alone produced. 1t orig
mated in his own brain, and was
purely the result of his own powers
of observation and executive ability.
To make such an instrument was his
next thought. A man with a less gift
Of ability would have found it most
discouraging task. but Peeler took to
| it kindly and with slow deliberate
cunning and resourceful planning he
soon had the general outline of the
machine firmly fixed in his mind. The
details were overcome as he pro-
crossed; not. however, until he had
exerted his wonderful talent to it's ut
most, was he at last successful in
bringing to completion the subject Of
his wonderful talent. True, the ma
chine was crude. 1t did not have the
nickled attachments and contrivances
Of the present day machine, but it
wrote and did it WELL In other words,
the thing worked"
Delighted and encouraged with the
success of his invention the next step
was to secure it with a patent. This
called for trip to Washington, D. c.,
where he was given a hearing and an
opportunity to demonstrate what his
machine would do. before the officials
Of the patent office.
"a machine that will write letters"
was the way it was referred to by the
officials. 1t not only created interest
but it amazed them. Such a thing
had never been heard Of Back in
1866 the country was just beginning
to get used to steel pens, here was a
man with machine that put pens of
all descriptions out Of business and
enabled one person to do the work Of
several in the most legible manner
possible. Peeler's letter to his wife
gives hint of his reception. 1t is as
| follows, written on his model during
the time he was at Washington
Washington City June 10, 1866
Dear Companion: We are both WELL
feel splendid. I am now in the Of
fee of Chapman & Co. The machine
has been examined by a great many
shrewd men and they think it is the
| greatest curiosity Of the age. They
also think it is of great value. They
are going to take the first step to pro-
cure patent Immediately. The
draughtsman will be here in a few
minutes. Colonel Smith thinks he will
get patent this week. I may not get
away from here for two or three
weeks, yet l cannot tell how long I'll
stay but one thing is certain, I'll come
home as soon as | can. l will send
you some money in a few days If
stay here your wants will not be for
gotten. Board is from s12 to $40 a
week here. l am getting as fat as a
hog on it; to sum the whole thing up,
prospects are good Write to me i'm
mediately and direct your letters to
A. Peeler. box 7OS, Washington City,
| D. G. | must close l will write soon
again. Yours as ever"
The return of Peeler from his Wash.
1ngton trip and the refusal of the pat.
ent Office for some reason or other, to
issue him patent on his machine is
but a sad memory in the history of
the man. Days grew into months, and
at last the notice arrived that no pat
ent would be issued.
Sharp eyed men who examined the
machine carefully did so with a pur-
pose in view. 1t was not long after
that patent was issued on model
presented to the patent office, which