Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-11-12

JAMES NJ. REFS,
n. 4. kENNoS,
Ross J. ALEXANDER
Appropriate remarks on the resolutions
were made by Messrs. Danford, Swaney,
Kelly, Smith, Rees, A. II. Mitchell, Hoff.
NichoI, Kennon. Lawrence, Carroll, Poll
lock, shannon, Emerson. Charlesworth
and Riley.
Mr.. Danford, On presentation of the
resolutions, said that he considered them
a very imperfect tribute to the life and
character of Daniel Peck. Your com
mittee have said that he was remark
able man; that is evidenced to a great
degree in the fact that for SO years he
engaged in the active practice of his
profession, and during much of that pet
riod be was one of the foremost men of
our bar. As early as 1928 or % he sp-
peared in the argument of cases in the
Supreme Court of the State, and from
that time until within few months, he
occupied position no other man ever
held at the bar. 1t is remarkable that a
man should hold position at the head of
such bar as that of Belmont for long
lifetime. No ordinary man could do So
L
taking lawyer, and enjoyed the pursuit
of his profession. He was a man of
great learning in the law ;he had studied
the early text books with great care, but
he did not stop there; be kept up with
the decisions of the courts, and studied
the reports; he was better read than any
member of our Bar in the literature of
of the law, and in that respect he was
most genial and instructive companion.
Mr.. Peck measured up with the men
who made the Belmont Bar famous in
early days, and later with the kennOns,
Shannons, Cowens, CAROLS, and in more
recent days he was the peer of the
younger members of the Bar. He was
also remarkable in his great kindness to
the younger members of his profession.
As citizen, he was always an earnest
advocate of whatever he thought was
for the public good. We all knew him
as kind and generous man; he loved
the true, good, and the beautiful. The
songs of the birds and bloom of flowers
were to him pleasure, and his home
and grounds were always full of them.
His life, while it was life of toll and
laOor, was always one of pleasure. He
has passed away, and we have none of
his experience and age LETT behind.
Mr.. o. J. Swaney, speaking to the reso-
lutions, referred feeliDgly to the fact
that there were but two of the members
of the Bar left, who were at the Bar in
1S43, when he first became acquainted
with Mr.. Peck, and that he was the last
of the old Bar. Energy perseverance and
industry, gave Mr.. Peck the position he
occupied. He was called Chancellor
Peck" and l think now, after mature
deliberation, that he was the best chan
Gerry lawyer ever at this Bar. As has
been stated, he coped with the best tall
ent of the old Bar, and the Bar that
went before-With Tappan, GoodenoW,
and others, who frequently tried cases at
this Bar. Mr.. Peck did not envy any
one, ana while he had his likes and dis,
likes, he had no malice in bis heart; he
had forgiving nature. He was very
generous man, and had not nerve enough
to say Mol If any enc asked favor he
would extend helping hand. He was
literary mana historian of his own
ard other countries. His life was one
of usefulness and of pleasure. While a
member OF the State Constitutional Con-
vention, he was active in the formation
of the present Constitution, notwith+
standing it wiped out the branch of his
profession in which he delighted, and he
never undertook TO try jury case until
the adoption of the present Constitution
In argument he was convincing and
fair, presenting the facts within the pale
OF the evidence. He was as honest
man .aS was ever at this Bar, and as
honorable man in every particular, as
ever lived in the county of Belmont.
Judge Kelly said: In expressing the feelings
of friendship, and the great respect | have
long entertained for Daniel Peck, will pro>
Dably be able to say but little more than has
already been so well said. The life that has
Just closed was d remarkable one. IL was not
extraordinary, as having been moved by
strange incidents or striking events, but ex-
traordinary in that it rolled on for over four
score years in steady, continuous and
healthy course, not disturbed by disease of
OOdy or mind, but in an even Course flowed
ON and on, and so far as we know it had a
healthy existence to the destined end that
comes to all men. Daniel Peck was associated
with former geHeration, and was a connects
ing link with one OF two former generations
of eminent men. When as a young man,
nearly 90 years ago, he commenced that
course of active life now ended, this country
nad but recently emerged from wilderness.
dis name is associated with our early history,
and with it we associate the distinguished
Games familiar to you all-Wright, Goodies
nough, Hammond, Tappan, the Kennons,
Shannon, Cowen, and others. Even in early
life, Daniel Peck, in the history of this west,
ern country, became an historical person. He
acquired eminence as a lawyer-as a lawyer,
however, | do not know that he very greatly
delighted in the practice of his profession.
He acquired his knowledge of the law for
practice, and was well informed. In his
practice he looked to the parties or to the
particular case at bar. In his disposition he
vas the chancellor. lie not only locked to
the facts, but TO the justice and equity of the
case He heartily espoused the cause OF
clients, and was disposed to look at them as
being without fault, and his opponents as
wrong -dOers, deserving of dehunciation. He
vas kind and frindly to all, especially to those
who were younger in years and with less
knowledge than himself. 1t is not altogether
as lawyer that MIR Peck ought to be ree
garded. His greatness was as u man rather
than as a lawyer. He had wide views and
talents. He delighted not merely in law, but
III LGCeS, III IlultS. pldut5 anu uOH6Ts, anu
music. He had found time to devote to the
study of geology, astronomy and mathematics,
and found delight in their beauties. He was
in kindly relation to all nature and all things
were his friends, ana they repaid him with
long, peaceful and joyous days.
]. B. Smith, Esq, referred to the deceased
as a shock of corn fully ripe for the harvest. l
knew of no man whose work was better done.
He died with the respect and confidence of the
Bar, and of all the courts in which he practiced
Judge W. D. Hoff among other things, said:
Entering upon the study of the law at a time
when books were scarce, compared with the
present, he read all accessible with careful
diligence that gave him the full meaning of the
text This habit he continued through life
Thus he stored his mind with knowledge of
the law, for ready use, without resort to such
modern aids as digests or compiled classfca-