Gibson - Peck - Widel

George & Eliza - courtesy of John G Chamberlin

Eliza Jane Peck, the daughter of  George Peck & Anna Ide, married twice. First to George Gibson who died as a result of disease during the Civil War and then Alfred Hall Widel.  

George Gibson was the son of Hamon Gibson & Hannah Brooks and he enlisted in 1862, 8 months after his son was born - leaving Eliza and Millard to fend for themselves. 

Sadly, George died at Vicksburg, MS in Jan 1863.

She then married Alfred Hall Widel, the son of Daniel Widel & Rebecca C Fox and she had 6 children with him.

Alfred & Eliza - courtesy of John G Chamberlin

Pocahontas Democrat, Thurs, 16 Nov 1916
Mrs Widel passes Away
Palmer Press: A gloom was cast over the community last Wednesday afternoon when the news was given that Grandma Widel had passed away. She had been sick for some time and all knew there was practically no hope for her recovery, still her death came as a shock to the many friends and neighbors with whom she has associated for so many years. She was held in high esteem in the community and she will be sadly missed and sincerely mourned. To those near ones who are so sadly bereaved, the sympathy of all our people is extended. Eliza Jane Peck was born in Saratoga County, New York, March 14, 1844, and died at her home in Palmer, Iowa, November 1, 1916 at the age of 72 years, 8 months and 16 days. She was united in marriage to Mr A Widel September 19, 1867, in Monmouth, Iowa. To this union seven children where born. Four of these preceded their mother to the Great Beyond; three with their father are left to mourn her passing. They are Mrs A H Keck of Gilmore City, Iowa and Harvey and Edgar of Worthington, Minn. She also leaves a grandson, Chas Gibson, whom they raised from infancy; two brothers - Edward Peck of Odeboldt, Iowa and George Peck of California; twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In her girlhood days, Mrs Widel united with the Baptist church; later transferring her membership to the Methodist church, to which she belonged at the time of her death. All through her long and useful life, she tried to follow the teachings of her Master. In the passing of Mrs Widel, the community has lost a good woman and the family a true mother. The funeral was held Saturday forenoon from the Methodist church and interment made in the Palmer Cemetery. The floral offerings were most beautiful, a silent and an impressive tribute of love for the departed. Rev F W Wilson preached a very fitting sermon from the text so appropriate - I Timothy 1:5: "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of good conscience and of faith unfeigned"

Pocahontas Democrat, Thurs 14 Nov 1929

courtesy of SAS - Find A Grave

Last Veteran of Civil War Dies Friday - Descendants to Fifth Generation Mourn Gilmore Man
Alfred H Widel, the last survivor of the Civil War veterans of Gilmore City, died suddenly at the Donnelly Service Station there last Friday afternoon. Funeral rites were held from the Palmer Methodist Church Sunday afternoon and burial made in the Palmer Cemetery. The American Legion Posts of Gilmore City and Palmer assisted in the last rites for the deceased. Alfred Hall Widel was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1846 and was the son of Daniel and Rebecca Widel. He moved to Jackson County, Iowa with his parents six years later. When the Civil War broke out, he made two attempts to enlist but was refused both times on account of his youth. Toward the close of the war he was accepted and served as a Private in Company F, 44th Regiment, Iowa Infantry. Four brothers served with him, one of whom was killed and another lost an arm. At the close of the war, he returned to his home and in 1867 was married to Mrs Eliza Gibson. Thirteen years later they moved to Sac County and in 1894, Mr and Mrs Widel and their family located near Palmer. Mrs Wide died in 1916 and since that time, Mr Widel has made his home with a grandson, Charles Gibson at Gilmore City. Mr and Mrs Widel were the parents of seven children, four of whom are dead. Those surviving Mr Widel are Mrs Rebecca Keck of Gilmore City; Harvey of Stewart, Minn; and Edward of Santa Maria, Calif. Eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one, great-great-grandchild are living.