Peck, George W.

PECK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 13:20:42

George W. Peck

(From the 1891 Biographical History of the Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.660)
GEORGE W. PECK was born in Essex Co, NY, January 18, 1852, a son of Scott and Betsey (CHAMBERLIN) PECK, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Vermont. His maternal grandfather was of German descent. Mr. Peck's parents were married in Essex County. In 1863 the family moved from New York to Ogle Co., Illinois, where George W. grew to manhood. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native county and in Illinois, and he was early taught industry, economy and honesty. To his early training is due much of his success in after life. In 1875 he started west to make his way in the world, coming with a team to Montgomery Co., Iowa, where he settled. For several seasons he rented land, but afterward purchased 40 acres in Sect 10, Grove Township, Pottawattamie Co. After keeping it two years, he sold it and bought another farm, in company with R.H. BARR. Two years later he sold out to Mr. BARR and bought 120 acres of Mr. T.S. McALHING, which he still owns and on which he lives. It is now under a good state of cultivation, is well fenced and divided into fields. Mr. PECK is extensively engaged in feeding stock, keeping an average of one hundred head of cattle and a large number of hogs.

Mr. PECK was married in Grove Township, January 2, 1876, to Miss Ella BARR. She was born in Massachusetts and lived there until 12 years of age, when she came to Ogle Co., Illinois. She is a lady of intelligence and refinement and was before her marriage a successful teacher. Her father, R.H. BARR, is a resident of Grove Township. Mr. and Mrs. PECK have five children: Walter Frank, Ida E., Ethel Clara, Dorcas Bessie, and an infant son. They lost their second child, Cora, who died at the age of 8 years. Politically Mr. PECK is a Republican. He and his wife are both members of the Evangelical Church, of which he is a trustee. He is an active worker in the church and Sabbath school, being superintendent of the latter. He i also interested in educational matters and anything tending toward the advancement of the community where he resides. Mr. Peck's father is a resident of York, Nebraska. His mother died in York Co., that state, in 1888 at the home of her son where she had gone on a visit with the hope of regaining her health.