Samuel Peck

    Samuel Peck, one of the old and honored pioneers of Blackford County, residing on section 1, Licking Township, is a native of West Virginia, born in Barber County, February 23, 1809, a son of Joseph and Alicia (Smith) Peck, the former born in Loudoun County, and the mother born near Winchester, Virginia. The father served through the war of 1812.

    Our subject was the youngest in a family of six children. He was reared in his native State to the avocation of a farmer, and received such limited educational advantages as the schools of that early day afforded. In 1826 he left Virginia for Meigs County, Ohio. He was married March 6, 1828, to Miss Susanna Shidler, a native of Athens County, Ohio, and daughter of Abraham and Ruth (Wood) Shidler. Samuel Peck remained in Meigs County, engaged in farming until 1843, when he removed by team with his wife and eight children to Blackford County, Indiana, arriving at his destination October 11.

    At that date the country was principally inhabited by wild animals. Our subject settled on section 1, Licking Township, in a dense forest, where he built a log cabin 18 x 20 feet in size, and here he and his family passed through the trials and privations incident to pioneer life. He commenced on a tract of 146 acres, and by persevering industry and good management he accumulated some 500 or 600 acres. He has given to his children some 300 acres, and is yet the owner of 306 acres of Blackford County's best soil, which is under fine cultivation and well improved. He has a good residence, surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, a fine orchard, good barns and other farm buildings, the entire surroundings showing care and thrift of owner. Mr. Peck has made his home here for a period of forty-three years, and has always been one of the most respected men of Licking Township.

    Mr. and Mrs. Peck have nine children living -Marcus W., Abraham J., Margaret, Mary, Julia Ann, Cassie Ann, Prudence, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Four of their children are deceased, named Susanna, Ruth, Elias, and Peter, who was killed near Atlanta, Georgia, while in the service of his country.

    In politics Mr. Peck was formerly a Jackson Democrat. during the balmy days of the Whig party he affiliated with it, and since the organization of the Republican party has voted that ticket.

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