BIO: Luther W. Peck, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

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http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 227-229.
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  PECK, LUTHER WESLEY, D.D., was born in Kingston, Pa., on June 14, 
1825, and died in his home in Scranton, Pa., on March 31, 1900, after a 
few days' sickness of pneumonia.
  He was the second son of Dr. George and Mary Myers Peck.  His boyhood 
was spent in Wyoming Valley.  When but a youth he was put in charge of 
his uncle, Jesse T. Peck, who was at that time president of the Troy 
Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt., for preparation for college.  At 
the age of fifteen years he entered Wesleyan University at Middletown, 
Conn., as a freshman in the class which would graduate in 1845.  He 
studied in Wesleyan but one year.  After Dr. George Peck's election to 
the editorship of the Methodist Review he moved to New York city.  It 
was then thought desirable for Luther W. to enter New York University, 
which would permit him to enjoy home life.  He did this, graduating in 
1845 with honor.  He led his class in scholarship during his course of 
study, and was valedictorian of his class on graduation.  Scholarly 
habits followed him through life.  He loved to read the Bible in Hebrew 
and Greek.
  The writer of the memoir in the Conference Minutes calls attention to 
the fact that the death of Luther W. was the passing away of the 
notable family of Peck divines.  Of the "five Pecks," Luther Hoyt, 
George, Andrew, William, Jesse T., one was a local preacher, Luther 
Hoyt, the other four entered the traveling ministry.  Luther Hoyt gave 
two sons to the ministry, Jonathan K., and Luther.  Dr. George gave two 
sons to the Ministry, George M. and Luther W.  It is claimed that the 
combined service of the four brothers, with that of the sons of Luther 
H. and George, exceeded more than two hundred and fifty years of active 
work in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  A rare record 
indeed!
  In 1848 New York University conferred the degree of A. M. upon him, 
and in 1878 gave him the degree of D.D.
  On January 18, 1848, he married Miss Sarah M. Gibbons, daughter of an 
Albany physician.  Nine children were born to them, namely, Helen, Mary 
E., Emma D., Frances A., Susie G., and Fanny M. passed on before him.  
George L. is an attorney in the city of Scranton.
  After he became supernumerary he settled in Scranton, where he 
resided until his death.  He was buried in the Forty Fort cemetery, 
where many of his kindred lie buried.
  He was a strong thinker and fine preacher.  He wrote considerably for 
the papers in both prose and poetry.  He had the poet's vision and 
touch.  Bishop Peck's History of the Great Republic contains a 
beautiful poem by him on "The Burial of Lincoln."  While in college at 
Middletown he wrote a serenade which is still a favorite with the Psi U 
fraternity.  He published two poems of some length.  In 1858 he 
published "The Golden Age," a poem of two hundred pages, giving the 
progress of the temperance reform, which was very favorably received 
indeed.  In 1895 he published "The Humming Bird."
  At nineteen years of age he joined New York Conference, where he 
labored until he transferred to Wyoming Conference in 1866.
  His appointments were as follows:  1845, Pacific Street, Brooklyn; 
1846-47, Durham, N.Y.; 1848, Windham, N.Y.; 1849-50, Rhinebeck, N.Y.; 
1851-52, Sheffield, Mass.; 1853, Lee, Mass.; 1854-55, Newburgh, N.Y.; 
1856-57, Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie; 1858-59, Forty-third Street, 
N.Y.; 1860, Dobbs Ferry; 1861-62, Rhinebeck; 1863, Kingston, N.Y.; 
1864-65, Middletown, N.Y.; 1866-67, Hyde Park, Scranton; 1868-70, 
Susquehanna; 1871, Waverly, N.Y.; 1872-73, Ross Street, Wilkes-Barre; 
1874, Waverly, Pa.; 1875-78, Presiding Elder on Honesdale District; 
1879, Pittston; 1880-82, Oxford; 1883-84, Whitney's Point; 1885-86, 
Apalachin; 1887, Harford; 1888-89, Yatesville; 1890, West Nanticoke; 
1891-99, sy.