b. May 22, 1808, in Portland, Maine; d. 1877, in Chicago, Illinois. Peck moved to Canada as a child where he was admitted to the bar and attained the rank of king’s counsel and served as a Liberal Party Member of Parliament. Peck moved to Chicago in 1835 and continued the practice of law. In 1838, he was elected to the state senate in order to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Peter Pruyne, and in 1840, he was elected to serve a term in the state legislature. Peck received the position of supreme court clerk, and during that time, he lived in Springfield, Illinois. After resigning from his clerkship in 1846, he returned to Chicago and formed a law partnership with James A. McDougal. In 1849, Peck became the supreme court reporter. He held that position until President Lincoln appointed him a judge of the United States Court of Claims. Peck held his position on the bench until his retirement in 1875.