(Editor’s Note: Keep in mind that this article was written in 1913) Duncan D. Peacock also began his career as teacher when eighteen years old and continued four years. In 1879 he located at what was then McDonald, in Thomas county, where for two years he was in charge of the school. He was later appointed postmaster, and about the same time established the first general store in the village. After he had been in business for a few years Mr. Peacock was stricken with nervous prostration and rheumatism, which kept him in bed for one year and in a wheel chair for several years, then on crutches. Always a devout Christian, while suffering this affliction Mr. Peacock covenanted with God, that should he be restored to his former health he would thereafter direct his energies for the benefit of the Lord’s work in the world.

When fully restored and confronted with the problem how best to fulfill his promise, he resolved that he would consecrate his entire life as well as his business and honor Him in all of the same, in buying and selling, and all his transactions with his fellow-man, and that he would henceforth have a higher incentive in the prosecution of his business than the mere money relations accruing there from.

His business cards and letter heads were made to read, “D. D. Peacock, Dealer in general merchandise of all kindsó EXCEPT tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, playing cards, pistols and cartridges.” One morning after this, after he had made a fire in the heater in his store, he noticed his little son Clayton who was only seven years old, with his arm full of books, which he had taken from the shelving, cramming them in the stove. (Editor’s Note: “Little” Clayton later graduated from the University of Georiga, studied at the University of Virgina and Harvard, enjoyed a succesfull life in education and died at the age of 92 in 1983.) Asked what he was doing, the little fellow answered, “Papa, didn’t you tell Mamma last night that these books are not good books, and that God did not want you to sell any more of them?” His father said: “Yes, son, and Papa will help you burn them all up, go and bring the others.”

So some seventy-five or one hundred novels which were being sold for the profit there was in them, without a thought of giving value received, were sacrificed, yes, “to the glory of God.” Mr. Peacock is a Prohibitionist in the full sense of the word. He has never taken a drink of liquor nor a chew of tobacco, nor smoked a cigar or cigarette in his life. He has never visited any place that he could not consistently take his mother, sister, or wife, or daughter with him, and does not claim any credit for it, but gives the credit to his pious Christian mother and her training in his early life. His unique trade device obtained a wide note through the country, and he was known far and wide as “The Except Merchant.”

This new name given to him by the commercial traveling salesmen, he later adopted, and had his return envelopes printed, “If not called for in five days, return to The Except Merchant.” He frequently received letters addressed to “The Except Merchant.” Pavo, Georgia. It was his custom in making remittances in liquidation of his indebtedness to write some scriptural references or quotations across the ends of the checks, such as John 3:16, Matthew 7:12, Heb. 10:14, 15. On one occasion the check was returned by the bank, with the inscription on the back, “Irregular,” “Returned.” Mr. Peacock wrote another check and mailed it to them with a new scriptural reference as follows: “Mene, mene tekel, upharsin.” This time the bank kept the check, having concluded they “wanted the money” whether they were “weighed in the balance and found wanting” or not.

Duncan D. Peacock was married in June, 1888, to Mary J. Reddick, a native of Brooks county, and a member of an old Georgia family. Her grandfather, Nicholas Reddick, formerly a resident of Screven county, became one of the early settlers of what is now Brooks county.

Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Peacock have reared three children: Clayton Wesley, Moselle, and Lois Elizabeth. Rebecca Peacock, the eldest daughter of Delamar Peacock, married Anthony Wayne Ivey, who was a son of Robert Ivey, one of the pioneer settlers of Thomas county. He was reared on a farm six miles east of Thomasville, Georgia. Wayne was a teacher in the public schools of Georgia for a number of years and was a member of the legislature for two years. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Farmers’ State Alliance of Georgia, during which time he moved to Atlanta, where his wife died. After the death of his wife, he moved to Thomasville, where he died.

His wife, Rebecca, was an invalid for several years and a patient sufferer, uncomplaining, and bore her sickness with Christian fortitude and grace. At the approach of death, she drew her loved ones around her, entreated them to meet her in heaven, and departed this life with shouts of victory, having called for a favorite hymn to be sung while she passed over. Their children were: Robert, Felton Bartow, Mamie, Elizabeth, Eula, Lee, and J. Duncan. Felton Bartow Peacock, after holding the responsible position as business manager for a large wholesale house in Savannah for a number of years, resigned this place in favor of his brother Duncan (who holds that position now) to go on the road as traveling salesman for the same company, viz., F. J. Cooledge & Bro., of Atlanta and Savannah.

Mamie married Mr. Robert Varnedoe, of Thomasville; Lizzie married Henry Reddick, a merchant of Morven, Georgia. Miss Lee and Robert are living in Thomasville, where Felton B. makes his headquarters, his territory being south Georgia and Florida.

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