Capt. Henry C. Peek, Sheriff of Ogle County, was born in Middlebury, Windsor Co., Vt., Oct. 12, 1837, and is the son of John and Lucretia (Lamb) Peek. His parents were born in Vermont, of English descent, and came to Grand Detour, this county, in 1838; their son, the subject of this notice, accompanied them. They remained there a year, when they removed to Buffalo Twp. Capt. Henry C. Peek was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. When the late war broke out our subject enlisted, Dec. 27, 1861, as a private of Co. L., 15th ILL. Cav., and served in that regiment one year and eight months. He was then promoted, receiving the commission of Captain of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Kenesaw Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and was with Sherman in his famous march from Atlanta to the sea, and was mustered out Oct. 29, 1865. On his return from the war he engaged in the live stock business at Polo, which he continued for nine years, or until 1874, when having been elected Sheriff of Ogle County, he removed to Oregon and entered upon his official duties. He was re-elected until he had served four terms. He was succeeded by Capt. F.H. Marsh. On the recent appointment of Capt. Marsh to the U.S. Marshalship Capt. Peek was elected to fill the vacancy. The marriage of Mr. Peek was solemnized in Lee County, this State, Nov. 28, 1864, at which time Miss Adeline S., the accomplished daughter of Edward V. Chase, of this county, became his wife. Mrs. Peek was born in Rochester, N.Y., and has borne her husband four children, three sons, and a daughter, namely: Bessie C., Burton, Geroge N., and Carl H. Capt. Peek and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics the Captain is a believer in the principles advocated by the Republican party, and is one of its earnest, hard working members.
Return to Ogle Co. Genealogy Site