The Peffley, Peffly, Pefley Families in America, A historical and genealogical record of the Peffley, Peffly and Pefley families from 1729-1938; Published in 1938, By May Miller Frost and Clarence Earl Frost

Call Number: R929.2 P375

576 - THOMAS PEFFLEY (son of No.551) married at Ladoga, June 18th, 1857, MELVINA ROSE, born Mar. 16th, 1838, Mont. Co., Ind., died June 7th, 1907 at Ladoga, (daughter of ALFRED and MARY (Morrison) ROSE). Both buried in Stoner Cemetery, near Ladoga.

Thomas Peffley had unusual ability as a wood carver. He lived on a farm three miles east of Ladoga. In October 1862 he was drafted in the Army but was not able to leave home and hired a substitute; but Oct. 24th, 1863 he enlisted in Co. K 126th Reg. 11th Cavalry and attained the rank of Corporal. On account of disability he was discharged Sept. 7th, 1864. While he was in the Soldiers Home at Indianapolis he carved a very remarkable cane. It was willed to his oldest son Wallace and he in turn willed it to his son Chester Peffley, Ladoga, Ind. Description of cane follows:

At the top of the cane is carved a hand; there are acorns and oak leaves, a pipe, a hammer, a turtle; an open book; the three links of Oddfellows; a quill pen; an American flag, the staff held by a soldier, the flag being in colors; a mounted cannon; a rifle; a row of five acorns and leaves; a knapsack; the Great Seal of the United States; a belt, with powder pouch and cartridge pouch and bayonet; a canteen; a heart; a three bladed knife, open; a fish; a saw; a rifle; a sword; a holly branch; a seal ring; and then the following inscription: Sept. 1864 this cane was carved by Thomas Peffley a resident near Ladoga, Indiana, A corporal of Co. K 11th Indiana Cavalary, 26th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Carved at the Soldiers Home, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Enlisted Oct. 17th, 1863, Disc. Sept. 7th, 1864 at Indianapolis, Indiana. UNION FOREVER. Now a member of Bruce Post 273 G. A. R. A member of the M. E.[Methodist Episcopal] Church, Ladoga, 1890. A member of Ridgely Lodge No. 61 I. O. O. F. Jan. 1864; now Feb. 8th, 1909 constant member for 45 years. Thomas Peffley. Trustee of M. E. Church and Epworth League and School for boys."

Issue: All born near Ladoga.

1 - ALFRED WALLACE PEFFLEY, b. 3-25-1863, d. 8-19-1928. Ladoga.
2 - LUCINDA ELLEN PEFFLEY, b. 7-30-1866.
3 - FRANK PEFFLEY, b. 7-29-1859, d. 5-22-1879.