GEORGE W. PECK was born in Essex County, New York, 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 County, 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 County, Iowa where he settled. For several seasons he rented land, but afterward purchased forty acres in Section 10, Grove Township, Pottawattamie County. 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 twelve years of age, when she came to Ogle County, 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, viz.: Walter Frank, Ida E., Ethel Clara, Dorcas Bessie and an infant son. They lost their second child, Cora, who died at the age of eight 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 is 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 County that state in 1888 at the home of her son, where she had gone on a visit with the hope of regaining her health.