Burton F. Peek (March 5, 1872 – June 14, 1960) served as both President and Chairman of

Deere & Company Deere & Company, Trade name, doing business as John Deere (), is an American corporation that manufactures agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, forestry machinery, diesel engines, drivetrains (axles, transmissions, gearboxes) used in heavy e ...

and was a founding member of

Augusta National Golf Club Augusta National Golf Club, sometimes referred to as Augusta or the National, is a golf club in Augusta, Georgia, United States. Unlike most private clubs which operate as non-profits, Augusta National is a for-profit corporation, and it does no ...

. He was also the great-grand nephew of John Deere.

Deere & Company

Peek began his career at the age of 16 in the shipping department at

in Moline,

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

in 1888. He worked there for 3 years before leaving to study law, eventually founding a successful law practice in 1895. He returned to Deere in 1911 as a director and vice president until June 5, 1942 when he became the fifth president of the company. On October 31, 1944 he became chairman of the board and held this position until his retirement on April 24, 1956. He continued to serve on the board of directors until his death in 1960.

Augusta National

Peek joined Augusta National in 1934, served as a rules official for many years, and was an influential member in the early years of the club. One of the 10 cabins at Augusta National is named in Peek's honor. Peek Cabin and Jones Cabin, built by golfing legend Bobby Jones, were the first two cabins constructed. Peek Cabin stands next to Eisenhower Cabin. In an early history of Augusta National, Burton Peek was described by longtime club president

Clifford Roberts Clifford Roberts (March 6, 1894 – September 29, 1977) was an American investment dealer and golf administrator. Early years Born in Morning Sun, Iowa, Roberts had a financially troubled family life as a boy. He and older brother, John Dariou ...

as "our top candidate for top honors as the man who hit the most golf balls in one lifetime.”

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peek, Burton 1872 births 1960 deaths American manufacturing businesspeople