Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-05-26
DEATH OF EX-GOVERNOR PECK.

ject of so much concern to his friends for
a number of weeks past, died at his home
in Jericho Sunday evening, May 18th.
Asahel Peck was born in Royalston,
Mass, in September, 1903, and was thus
in his 10Th year, at his death. His
father removed from Royalston to Mont.
pelier, with his family, in 1906, and
died there some years after. Asahel
fitted for college in Montpelier and en-
tered the University of. Vermont, in the
Sophomore class, in 1924. Having an
opportunity to 60 to Canada, with the
President of French College there, who !
proposed to take him into his family and
give him his personal instruction in the
French language, he left the University
a few weeks before the commencement at
which be would have graduated, "a step
which he afterwards regretted that he
did not delay till after his graduation,
went to Canada, and remained long
enough to acquire knowledge of French.
Deciding to make the law his profession,
he returned to Vermont and began the
study of law with his older brother, Ma
hum Peck, Esq, his senior by six years,
and the only surviving member of his
immediate family. From Hinesburgh he
came to Burlington to complete his stud
les. He was admitted to the bar in this
-, nralou 10, 1857, and entered on
the practice of his profession. His ear
nestness. ability. thoroughness, and staid
and trusted qualities, soon attracted at
tention. He became partner with
Archibald Hyde, Esq, in the law firm
of Hyde & Peck, and afterwards with D.
A. Smalley, Esq, in the firm of Smalley
& Peck, and his practice and income
grew steadily till upon his elevation to
the bench, the latter amounted to over
$4,000 year, which for this State in
those days of comparatively small fees,
forty years ago, was very large prac-
tice. In 1850, the higher Judiciary of
Vermont, which before, as now, had con-
sisted of a Supreme Court of six judges,
was divided into a Supreme bench of
three judges and Circuit Court of four
judges. In 1851, Mr.. Peck was elected
to the bench of the Circuit Court and
held the Circuit judgship for four years.
In 1860, he was elected Judge of the
Supreme Court, and held that Office by
successive elections up to the year 1874.
. During most of this time his residence
was in Montpelier. In 1872, he remov-
ed to his farm in Jericho; and in 1878
he signifed his intention to decline a
reelection and to retire permanently
from the bench. In 1874, without hint,
much less solicitation, on his part, he
was nominated for governor, by the Re-
publicans, and was elected by over TO-
900 majority. At the close of his term
of office he retired to his farm, and there
spent the remainder of his days.
Originally Democrat, Judge Pecl
was strongly aroused by the aggressiOn'
of the slave power, and after the forma
tion of the Free Democracy or Liberty
! party, he identified himself with that
and was its candidate for Congress il
this district. Upon the organization o
} the Republican party. Judge Peck be
came Republican and the party ha
, had no truer and more faithful membe
than he. In 1862 he represented tn
County in the State Senate. In 1872
Judge Peck received the degree of L. L
, D. from Middlebury College. In 1871
, he received the degree of A. B. in course
| as of the year when he would hav
? graduated, from the University of Yer
( mont In 1877 he was elected truste
Y of the U. V. M. and S. A. G. He wa
D recently rendered by Governor Procto
! an appointment as one of the Commits
e sioners to revise the statutes of our State
t but declined the office.
| Judge Peck never married and hi
e brother, Nahum, and Hon. Cicero G
e Peck, are his only surviving relative
r near of kin.
|. Our space is small in which to Civ
: an adequate estimate of Judge Peck
s character. Vermont never had a NOR
: respected citizen. His integrity wa
o absolute. Modest, quiet, kindly as
Y man sound, studious, painstaking an
e thorough lawyer; as a jurist able, clear
upright and firm though lenient; cat
- tious, attentive and honored Governor
i the architect of his own fortunes,
man of clear and Independent judgmen
strong convictions and answering devt
J., ton to truth and ght, Judge Pee
o made a record which may we'll be he'll
>. up to example. Men of his sterlin
. stamp are none too common in our day
g and his name will long be held in homo
as synonym for sturdy honesty an
! absolute rustworthiness.-Fre Press.
e GEN. GRANT ON THE CHIMES
QUESTION.
5. In response to an address from
Is Chinese delegation, in the Island
lie Penang, General Grant said it afforde
il him a snecial Measure To receive the AZ