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Joel B. Peck |
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Joel B. Peck |
Eleazer Peck, the great-grandfather of Joel B., was in the fourth generation from Henry, and settled on "Oak Hill," in the town of Sand Lake, in this county, in the year 1791. He died there about the year 1813.
Isaac Peck, son of Eleazer, was born on Aug. 21, 1756, and located at Sand Lake, in connection with his father, in 1791, and died in 1838.
Marcus Peek, son of Isaac, and the father of our subject, was born Oct. 19, 1783, and was eight years of age when he settled with his father and grandfather in the town of Sand Lake. Of his five children, Joel B. was the only son, and was born at Sand Lake on April 1, 1809, a little west of the centre of the town, on the place recently occupied by John W. Moul.
Mr. Peck passed his earlier years in attendance upon the district school of his day and in working upon his father's farm. Upon attaining the age of twenty three he married Parmelia, daughter of George Horton, and engaged in the lumber business on the "mountain" in connection with the firm of Knowlson, Butz and Horton, and later on in connection with others. For a good many years he conducted the lumber business on his own account, and built a saw-mill about half a mile south of Bowman's Pond. This occupation has been the leading one of Mr. Peek's life.
Before entering the lumber business he engaged in the mercantile trade at Sliter'a Corners as a member of the firm of Farnum & Peck. In connection with the lumber business, Mr. Peck has also carried on Farming to some extent.
He has also filled various prominent public offices in the town, being collector, school commissioner, assessor, supervisor, and justice of the peace; the latter of which offices he still holds. During the late war, Mr. Peek was supervisor of the town, and was intrusted throughout the contest with the filling of the town quotas, disbursement of the bounties, and with the general charge of the military affairs of the town.
In his religious affiliations, Mr. Peck is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Sand Lake, and has filled the office of elder in that body for a period of forty years. He was a member of the committee for building the parsonage, and has contributed liberally of his means to the material support of the church.
Nine children have been born to Mr. Peck, of whom six only are now living. Marcus Peck, the fourth child of Mr. Peck, was a member of the 169th New York State Volunteers, Co. H, and died at the hospital in Washington, from fever contracted while in the service. Charles H. Peck, another son, is State botanist of New York. Arthur M. is in the mercantile business at Sand Lake. G. Morrison Peck was a student of medicine at West Sand Lake, but died before completing his studies.
Mr. Peck is still living at Sliter's Corners, in the town of Sand Lake, and has retired from active business. A view of his pleasant home appears in this work.
JOEL B. PECK. This gentleman is a lineal descendant, in the seventh generation, of Henry Peck, who settled at New Haven, Conn., in the spring of 1638, and became one of the first settlers of that city. His "home-lot" was in that part of the town which is now included in the limits of the city of New Haven.
