St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-05-23
Death of Ex-Gov. Peck.

From the st. Adams Messenger, Monday.|
The sad news that ex-Gov. Peck died
at his home in Jericho this morning viii
take the public somewhat by surprise
for though he had pneumonia in March
and his death was expected in April
later intelligence indicated that he was
very much improved and likely to soon
be out in good health. The cause OF
his relapse and sudden death is not re-
ported, but as he was rs years old and
had been much reduced by his protract-
ed illness, very slight reverse OF
course would prove fatal.
Gov. Peck was one of the few old
fashioned sturdy men who preserved
the simple tastes of former generation
all through his years of public promi-
nence and in the period OF national
wildness and extravaganza. He was
lawyer of broad and deep culture in the
fundamental principles, and though he
had added to this vast accumulation
of authorities, he scorned to base an
opinion merely upon cases, and rarely
expressed one without reaching it
through logic of the most convincing
character. He was never an eloquent
advocate, but his strong good sense and
plain manner made him power before
Jurors as well as judges. As judge he
took high rank with his associates from
the very first, and for some years be-
fore he resigned to accept the republic
can nomination for governor, he was re-
garded as not second to either PierpOint
or Barrett, his only seniors on the
bench. As Governor he was one of the
most discriminating, firm, just and
public spirited executives that Vermont
ever had He was sometimes COM
planned of as being slow, but he was
sure. His examination of bills that
passed the legislature was thorough,
and resulted in the detection of every
lOOseness. His presence and brief
speech at the Concord centennial showed
his interest to have Vermont take her
part in great national events, and his
subsequent refusal to call a special ses-
sion for the purpose of making an APP
preparation to :aid in the Philadelphia
centennial showed that he had correct
ideas of the limitations of government
and courage enough to express them in
the face Of an opposing public wish.
Since his retirement from the govern
orship he has engaged in farming and |
law practice.
He was born in Worcester county,
Mass, in 1904, but his parents removed
to East Montpelier during his infancy,
so that he has never known any native
place but Vermont. He resided there
on his fathers farm until he became of
age, with the exception of intervals of
absence when attending or teaching
school, and then he went to Hinesburg
md studied law in the Office of his
brother. Finishing his preparatory
studies in the Office of Bailey & Marsh
n Burlington, he commenced practice
n that village Tit was then a village,
md there continued with excellent sue
,ess, until he was chosen judge of the
circuit court under the system then in
7Ogue in 1851. This office he held un-
ii that system was abolished in 1857,
md then, his health having become
omewhat impaired he purchased farm
II Jericho, three miles northeast of
and commenced laboring
pom it, meanwhile keeping a law-office !
d Burlington. In 1860 he was chosen
judge of the Supreme Court, and held d
hat Office until 1874, when he was
lected Governor of the state, which s
flee he filed with ability and dignity
Or two years. He was never married.