A. J. Peck

    A. J. Peck, engaged in farming on section 1, Licking Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Meigs County, November 14, 1829, a son of Samuel Peck, who was one of the prominent pioneers of Blackford County.

    Our subject was fourteen years of age when his parents removed to Indiana, and here amid the wild surroundings of Blackford County he grew to manhood, and received a limited education in the pioneer schools of the county. He assisted his father in clearing and improving their pioneer farm, remaining at home with his parents until attaining the age of twenty-five years.

    He was united in marriage November 19, 1854, to Miss Maria Haynes, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, a daughter of Daniel and Jane (Stow) Haynes, but at the time of her marriage living in Delaware County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are the parents of four children -Wright, Elias, Samuel Jefferson and Jenny.

    Mr. Peck settled on his present farm, remaining here two years, and in 1856 removed to Delaware County, Iowa, being one of the pioneers of that county. He resided there some three years, and in 1859 he joined an emigrant train for California, making the journey by ox team, arriving at his destination five months later. He followed farming and mining in California and in December, 1860, he returned by the Panama route to his family, who were then living in Blackford County, and remained on the old homestead until May, 1881. He then went West, locating in Colorado where he engaged in mining and teaming for a time, and in December, 1882, again returned to his farm in Blackford County, where he has since made his home. He has a comfortable and commodious residence, built in modern style, and well furnished. In politics Mr. Peck affiliates with the Republican party.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.