The papers consist almost entirely of correspondence documenting the period of Peabody's career when he served in the Assembly. Because the papers were presented to the Archives in August, 1954, his last term in office is not represented. There are some papers covering his business and personal interests prior to entering the Legislature, but these items are limited and fragmentary. Some arrangement work was done on the papers during the 1970's so that their original order and condition was not apparent when the organization was completed in 1987. Because of their deteriorated condition, at that time the papers were microfilmed and the originals destroyed.
The papers consist of chronologically-arranged correspondence and speeches. Although the bulk of the correspondence concerns legislative and political matters there is also an extensive correspondence with members of his family; personal and business letters exchanged with his partners in the State Bank of Centuria and the First State Bank of Prairie Farm; and, when the Legislature was not in session, with members of the Assembly with whom he was friendly. In the later category are letters from Guy Benson, Selmer Gunderson, Earl Hanson, and H.E. Heden. Although there are some letters from “ordinary citizens,” the majority of the individuals who wrote (such as doctors J. Arthur Riegel, who was appointed to the Conservation Commission; L. O. Simonstad; and R. G. Arveson) seem to have been accustomed to their advocacy role. In addition, there are extensive materials prepared by lobbyists and state agencies. Because many of these materials were undated and had been removed from their original context, they can be found at the end of the material for the year to which they refer.
Unlike many of his successors in the Legislature Peabody did not hesitate to express his views frankly in his legislative correspondence, but perhaps because many of his letters went to family members who lived out of state he did not describe legislative or political matters in great detail. Nevertheless, because he served in the Legislature during a period which witnessed important political changes his correspondence is of considerable interest. Of particular interest are references to the early activities and interests of the Legislative Council. The value of the Peabody Papers is further increased because they supplement the legislative correspondence (also on microfilm) received by Warren Knowles, Polk County's state senator at the time. The archival documentation of Polk County views is therefore unusually rare and extensive.
In addition to the legislative concerns reflected in the papers there are extensive letters, as well as separately-filed minutes, reports, and other materials pertaining to the tourist organization with which Peabody was involved, the Wisconsin Indian Head Country, Inc. Also included are many mimeographed bulletins pertaining to the Wisconsin Bankers Association. Information on his banking activities with the First State Bank of Prairie Farm and the State Bank of Centuria are scattered within the correspondence, but in this section researchers will find comments on notes and real estate, as well as a few statements of financial condition.
