Orange

PECK, Marcus

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 304 
(portrait p 304)

Marcus PECK, of Brookfield [Vermont], was born 26 January 1834 in Brookfield 
[Orange County, Vermont], son of Reuben and Hannah G. (EDSON) PECK. Reuben 
PECK was a lifelong resident and successful business man in the town of 
Brookfield, and inseparably connected with the agricultural, commercial and 
manufacturing interests of the place, living to the patriarchal age of 
eighty-five. Marcus received his educational advantages in the common 
schools, and at the academies of Newbury [Orange County] and Barre 
[Washington County]. Soon after he arrived at years of discretion he 
commenced the sale of hay forks, and has pursued this occupation more or less 
ever since. He has had the general management of the manufacture and sale of 
this article since 1870, and is now sole proprietor of the business, which is 
conducted under the firm name of Peck, Clark & Company. They also turn out 
garden rakes, hoes, and cant hooks [used for rolling logs], for which they 
find a ready sale throughout New England and New York. Mr. PECK was formerly 
largely interested in cheese factories, and at the present time is extensively 
engaged in farming in Brookfield and adjoining towns.

He was elected by the Republican vote, senator from Orange County in 1880, 
serving on many important committees. Was a charter member of Mystic Lodge 
No. 97, Free & Accepted Masons, the position of worshipful master of which he 
has filled nine terms. He has been active in church work for over forty 
years, and has been one of the officers of the Second Congregational Church 
for the last fifteen years. On 26 June 1859 Mr. [Marcus] PECK married Mary 
E., daughter of Erastus and Electa (BROWN) WILCOX, who bore him four 
children: (1) one who died at the age of eleven; (2) Bessie Frances, 
deceased; (3) Mary Stella, Mrs. Arthur LYMAN of Rutland [Rutland County], 
Vermont; and (4) Marcia L. His first wife [Mary E. PECK] died in 1872, and 
he contracted a second alliance in January 1873 with Mrs. Adeline (ABBOTT) 
WHEATLEY, daughter of Walter and Sarah ABBOTT.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly