- JOHN A. PECKHAM, a representative farmer of Janesville Township,
residing on section 10, was
- born in New Bedford, Bristol Co., Mass., in the year 1828.
His grandparents were members of the Society of Friends, and
his parents, Thomas and Martha (MAXFIELD) PECKHAM, were natives
of Massachusetts. Thomas PECKHAM was a mason by trade, and followed
that occupation until 1835, when accompanied by his family, he
removed to New York and engaged in farming until his death, which
occurred in 1861. His wife preceded him to her final rest, dying
in 1851.
- The subject of this sketch passed the days of his boyhood
and youth upon his father's farm, and his
- education was received in the district schools of the Empire
State. Remaining in New York until the fall of 1850, he then
bade good-by to his home and friends, and started for the then
far West. Locating in Rock County, he was employed as a teacher
in the village school the following winter, after which he returned
to his old home. After four years had passed he again came to
Rock County, but previously spent one year in McHenry County,
Ill., where he owned a farm.
- In 1856, in Rock County, Wis., the union of J. A. PECKHAM
and Miss Catherine ST. JOHN was
- celebrated. The lady is a native of the Green Mountain State,
and a daughter of Levi and Tryphena (BARBER) ST. JOHN, both of
whom were born in Hubbardton, Rutland Co., Vt. At various times
her father followed the three trades of a tanner, a currier,
and a shoemaker in his native State. In 1836, he came to what
is now Rock County, Wis., then forming a part of what was known
as the Northwestern Territory, including Michigan, Wisconsin,
Iowa, and other lands. Two houses marked the site of the present
city of Janesville, which has now a population of twelve thousand,
and the entire county was almost an unsettled wilderness. Entering
land from the Government, he developed a farm and altogether
improved 700 acres of land in Rock County, and the first farm
on which he located, was retained in the family until after his
death, which occurred in 1861, at the age of sixty-two years.
Mr. ST. JOHN assisted in organizing the county, later served
as Alderman of the city for several years, and was numbered among
its honored pioneer settlers, for in no small degree did he assist
in placing Rock County in its present exalted position in this
great commonwealth. Socially, he was a member of the I.O.O.F.
His wife survived him for about eleven years, dying in Janesville
in 1872, in the seventieth year of her age. They were the parents
of several children, namely: Minerva, now Mrs. RANSOM, residing
in Jewell County, Kan.; David B., who is married and resides
in Jewell County, Kan.; Dr. J. A., whose wife is an artist of
wide reputation, spends part of the time in California, and the
remainder in New York City; Eliza, now Mrs. HELY, is living in
California; and S. Cornelia, who became Mrs. WHEELER, died in
California, on the 7th of April, 1887; Dr. J. W. is living in
Janesville.
- Since 1870, Mr. PECKHAM has resided on his present farm,
which comprises 160 acres of fine
- arable land, and which is under a high state of cultivation.
In connection with general farming, he gives considerable attention
to the raising of Norman horses and Short-horn cattle, in which
he is quite successful. He does not take an active part in political
affairs, yet is an enthusiastic and ardent believer in the principles
advocated by the Republican party. For some years past he has
held the office of Township Assessor, and is the present incumbent.
Socially, he is a member of the I.O.O.F.
- Mr. and Mrs. PECKHAM have been the parents of six children,
but only two are now living; Louis
- S. is married and resides in Marshall, Iowa, where he is
engaged in the grocery business; Aelon H. died Jan. 12, 1862,
when about two years of age; Helen, born April 2, 1862, died
Feb.. 21, 1886; Thomas, born Dec. 18, 1866, died on the 18th
of March following; St John, born Oct. 18, 1868, died Jan. 30,
1878; James W., born Nov. 3, 1874, is now attending school. Mr.
PECKHAM is a man of high respectability, and is numbered among
this county's best citizens, in whose interests and enterprises
he has ever taken an active part. He is rather quiet in manner,
and although often solicited to accept local offices, has respectfully
declined, though he has served several times as Assessor.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 219-220.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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