July 25, 1817, John Mason Peck and his family began their journey west in a small, one –horse wagon. Over a thousand miles and four months later they reached St. Louis. Peck preached up and down the Mississippi Valley, starting churches, preaching to the Indians and pioneers alike. He also founded what later would become Shurtleff College in Illinois and established a Christian periodical. ABHS has a portrait of Peck, his correspondence (1833-1852), and several writings, including a memoir.
