Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Benjamin W. Peck
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
BENJAMIN W. PECK, ex-Probate Judge of
Jefferson Township, Dickinson County, residing
on section 10, was born on the 20th
of May, 1850, in Vermont, Fulton County,
Ill., and is a son of Wilson and Phoebe (Alward)
Peck, the former a native of Connecticut, and the
latter of Pennsylvania. When our subject was
about a year old, they removed with their family
to Astoria, Ill., where they spent the succeeding
twelve years. In the spring of 1863 they located
on a farm near Henry, Ill., where they continued
to reside until called to the home beyond.
Benjamin was the second in order of birth in
their family of six children. He grew to manhood
under the parental roof and continued to reside
in Henry, Ill., until the fall of 1871, when he
removed to Dickinson County, Kan. Taking up a
homestead of eighty acres on section 10, Jefferson
Township, he has here since resided. During the
winter season since coming to Kansas, he has generally
engaged in teaching, while during the sum
summer months he devotes his energies to the cultivation
of his land.
Mr. Peck has taken quite a prominent part in
public affairs and has been honored with several
positions of public trust. He was elected and
served as Township Trustee from 1882 until 1888,
inclusive, and has held nearly all the other township
offices. In the autumn of 1888, he was
elected Probate Judge of Dickinson County and
served one term. His public duties have ever
been faithfully performed and he proved a popular
Trustee, as was shown by his frequent re-election.
He exercises his right of franchise in support
of the Republican party, and is a stanch
advocate of its principles.
Mr. Peck has been twice married. On the 11th
of July, 1874, in this county, he wedded Miss Kate
Morley, who died a few months later, in April,
1875. His second union was celebrated in Abilene,
October 26, 1876, when Miss Eliza Morley
became his wife. She is a sister of his first wife
and a daughter of James Morley, a native of Suffolk
County, England, who became a resident
farmer of Jefferson Township. Unto them were
born eight children, but they lost one son, Benjamin
W., in infancy. Those still living are Etta,
Jessie, Phoebe, Nellie, Dora, Harrison M., and
George R.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP