James M. Peebles was born in 1822 in Whitingham, Vermont, the oldest of seven children. According to a biography written by Edward Whipple in 1901, “From early childhood this boy was magnetic, genial, benevolent, and witty, but stubborn and capricious withal.”
James was educated in a little red schoolhouse. He had a serious speech impediment, but Professor Hurlburt helped him get over his stammer. When he was about 12, the family moved to Smithville, New York where they struggled to make ends meet. James did well with his schooling and was active in the Literary Society and Debating School. He taught a portion of the year to pay for his own schooling. After graduating at 16, he taught school in Picher, New York.
James questioned the teachings of traditional religion and searched for a belief system that wasn’t harsh and judgmental. The Universalists church was just beginning, and James saw a flier posted by Rev. N Doolittle and joined the church. James continued teaching and pursued his own education, including studying languages and medicine and eventually theology. He was only 20 years old when he became a reverend.
The last year of his pastorate in Kellogsville in 1845, he was invited by the Hon. Vincent Kenyon to ride to Auburn and hear the spirit rappings. James was impressed and began to read about other religious teachings like those of Swedenborg.
James married Mary M. Conkey in 1850. They had three children who died in childhood and the marriage did not last. In 1856, James accepted a pastorate in Baltimore at the Universalist Society, but the call of Spiritualism was not far behind. For 1853-55 he was pastor of the Universalist Church at Elmira, NY. But he was not happy with their beliefs and questioned his own. He eventually resigned and became acquainted with medium Charles Dunn who became his traveling companion in his Spiritualist ministry.
In 1861, James left for San Diego, California where he introduced himself to Rev. A. C. Edmunds, editor of The Star of the Pacific, a Universalist publication. James wrote several valuable articles for Edmunds and reported his experiences to the Herald of Progress. He also lectured throughout the state. He eventually returned to Battle Creek, Michigan a year later. Through Dunn and others, he contacted a very ancient band of spirits that directed his actions. He lectured throughout much of the country. In 1866, he became editor of Banner of Light.
James opened the Peebles’ Institute of Health in Battle Creek, Michigan. He advertised that if one would send in their money and symptoms, he would mail them a diagnosis and cures. In 1903, the Detroit Free Press published his conviction in the case illegal use of the U.S. Mail in a psychic healing business.
Despite his business problems, he published over a dozen books and many articles. Emma Hardinge wrote “By his scholarly writings, and indefatigable labors as a lecturer, Mr. Peebles has been a gigantic lever in moving public opinion in favor of spiritual belief, and the repudiation of the effete superstition of old orthodoxy. Being a writer, an author, a graceful and accomplished orator, Mr. Peeble’s services are in eager demand throughout the whole community….” He extended himself and traveled the world three times.
In his later years, Peebles divided his time between Battle Creek and Los Angeles. He died in California of a heart valve failure in 1922, just 36 days before his 100th birthday.