The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-04-19
COMMODORE RICHARD PECK
DIED EARLY LAST EVENING ATTUU
HOME or MS SON.
One the Oldest and Best Known Steam-
boat Men in tho United Stntes-Thc
Famous Sound steamer Named Aner
Him-He Was Secretary Of the New
Haven STEAMBOAT Company UP to the
Time of His Death.
Time of His Death.

| Commodore Richard Peck, secretary
of the New Haven Steamboat company
and one of the oldest and best known
steamboat men in the country, died last
evening about o'clock at the residence
of his son, Richard A. Peck, No 36a
Elm street. Commodore Peck had re-.
sided for many years on Wooster street,
but early in September last he went tos
reside with his son, Richard A. Soon
after that he was taken sick with g.
bowel trouble, but had been able to-
walk and ride out until within the last
few days. Until last Monday, when he
had a hemorrhage Of the bowels he was
able to go to his meals, and only last
Saturday he was able to walk across
the hall to see his daughter in law, Mrs.
Richard A. Peck, who Is Ill. Monday he
was able to sit up and eat dinner. but
Monday night he was seized with the
hemorrhage which resulted in his DEATH.
Despite his advanced years he was a.
wonderfully we'll preserved man, and
had never had any sickness Of any ac-
count. "
Commodore Peck was born in Flush-
ing, L. H. in 1876, and was the son OF
Jonathan Peck, who was also O steam-
boat man. That was in the early days
Of steamboating, and Captain Jonathan
Peck commanded small boats which
piled between the Long Island towns
and New York In 1841 Commodore
Peck came to New Haven In commend
of the steamer Belle, rival Of the New
Haven line. Soon after that the Belle
was purchased by the New Haven
Steamboat company, with which MIR.
Peck became associated from that time.
He commanded many boats of the conn
pany well known In those days, and the
last boat he commanded was the old
boat the Connecticut. When she was
sold in 1850 he became superintendent
of the New Haven Steamboat company
until he resigned from that position in
1895 and was succeeded by Captain
Geraty. After his resignation from the
superintendency of the line he became
secretary of the company and held that
position up to the time of his DEATH \
When the steamer Richard Peck was
built she was named after him as a
tribute to his wide knowledge Of steam
boat matters and his long and close
connection with the company. He su- \
perintendent the building of the steam-
ers Elm City, Continental and g. II.
Northam sl
In 1912 he married, in Bridgeport,
Mary A. Smith Of Quaker Farms, OK
ford, Conn, who survives him. He
leaves also two brothers, a sister and
two sons. The brothers are william l..
Peck of New York and Henry a.. Pack
of Flushing, T.. I. The sister is Mrs.
Jeanette Dumont of Boston. The two
sons are Captain Frederick J. Peck and
Richard A. Peck, both Of this city. Two
sons, Henry F. and Miles L. Peck, are
dead.
Mr.. Peck retained every faculty up to-
the time Of his death. His interest In
steamboat affairs and in the New Ha-
ven line in particular, never tagged.
He had been once aboard the new boat
Of the line, tine Chaplin, and greatly adj
nired her His son. Frederick j., fol-
lowed his father and grandfather I'M
the steamboat business and has CONS
manded the Traveller, the Elm City, the
Continental, the Northam ana the Peck.
for the funeral had not
been completed last night.
Commodore, Peck was a practical
man, practica bility being a great feat
lre Of his life He had great executive
ability and was man of the utmost
as commander. He was a.
wise counsellor, prudent and conserva-
tive, yet a progressive business man.
Under his management the New Haven
Steamboat company steadily prospered.
He had good Judgment and excellent
foresight. Owing to his close adherenca
% business he never took any part I'M