St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-09-04
RECENT DEATHS.
Peck,

In last weeks CALIFORNIAN brief men
tion was made of the death of William E.
Peck, which occurred at his home on
Railroad street just before three O'Clock
Wednesday morning, August %. The
announcement came as great shock to
the community for it was not generally
known that he was in i'll health. His
sickness dated only from the previous
Sunday when he had an attack of acute
Indigestion. This continued through
Monday and Tuesday, but his condition
was not serious, and during the evening
before his death he was about the house
and in the best of spirits. About mid
night change came but still there were
no alarming symptoms, and he was not
considered dangerously sick, but the
end came suddenly and almost without
warning. Death was caused by acute
dilatation OF the heart following indiges-
ton.
Mr.. Peck was born at Passumpsic,
March "a, 1888. He was the son of
Samuel and Sophia Woods Peck, and
was the last of family OF tour sons and
three daughters. He was educated in
the schools of his native village and at
St. Johnsbury Academy. In 1853 he
engaged in the mercantile business at
Passumpsic and remained there 3 years; /;
during this time he also dealt in horses
for the Boston market. In 1866 he came
to st. Johnsbury, and formed partner
ship with the late Emerson Hall, In the
old Main street store. He remained bere
about three years, then removed to his
farm below Passumpsic, which was his
home until 1888. While living there up
to 1884, he was extensively engaged in
the buying and selling of horses as a
member of the then we'll known firm OF
Peck and Hall, with headquarters on
Lancaster street, Boston. For fifteen
years the firm did large and successful
business, being among the largest deal.
ers in western horses in the east. In
1888 he came again to St. Johnsbury
and has since resided here. About seven
years ago he became a member of the
firm of Russell, Follensby & Co., lumber
manufacturers and dealers. The firm
later became known as Follensby &
Peck and they have built up lumber
business which is one of the most exten.
sive in this vicinity. In 1879 Mr.. Peck
was made a director of the Merchants
National Bank and retained his place on
the board up to the time of his DEATH
In 1885 he succeeded COL Frederick
Fletcher as president of the institution
and held the office until 1894, when ht
resigned. He was business man O
marked ability and his various business
interests had given him a wide acquaint
ance throughout this and other sections
of New England. In politics Mr.. Peck
was always democrat but not par.
tisan. In 1873 he represented Barnet in
the legislature and was for time post
master at Passumpsic. In 1890 he was
the candidate Of his party here for town
representative and received one of the
largest votes ever given to a democrat
in st. Johnsbury. He was again the
party's choice tor the same Office in 1896
Mr.. Peck was twice married. first ir
1853 to Miss Josephine Hazelton, O
Corning, New York, who died February
4. 1877, and second in 1873 to Miss
Mary !. Talbot of Boston, who survives
him. He leaves nine children, Miss Ida
M. of Lancaster, George W., Charles E.
Kate D., John H., M. Josephine, Annie V.
Elizabeth S., and F. Irene of Tohnsbury
The death of Mr.. Peck removes from St
Johnsbury and Caledonia county one o
| = Ia.x a%o o,,H a,i
respected citizens. He was an excellent
example Of quiet. unpretentious gen
tleman, and his memory will be cher
ished by a large circle of friends, and the
sincere sympathy OF all will go out tc
Mrs. Peck and his sons and daughters
in the loss of a true and devoted hus
band and father. The funeral was helC
at the house Friday afternoon, Rev.
c, Hussey, pastor of the First Raptis
church, of which Mr.. Peck was promi
nent member, conducting the service
The burial was at Passumpsic.
Among those from out of town VIII
were called here by the death of Williar
E. Peck were Richard A. Friel and Mis-
Mary Gildea OF Charlestown. Mass
Mr.. and Mrs. E. A. Field and son {
Barre, Mrs. E. V. Cobleigh of Lancaste
and Seth Ford and Ora Bishop of McIr
, does.
Wilson.
Mrs. Avis c., wife of Frank L. Wilson
died at their home in Fairbanks Villag,
Saturday morning. after an illness c
about ten months, with tuberculosis
She was born in Barton, Nov. 20, 1877.
the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
Varney, and with the exception of tn
,. past ten years has made Barton ht
/, home. On February Z, 1899, she we
married to Mr.. Wilson, and since ths
time has devoted herself almost entirel
to her home interests. Funeral service
were held at her late home Sunds
> AFTERNOON, conducted by Rev. DR.. Nu
ting. and the body was taken to Bartc
Monday morning, where brief servic
were held, and where the burial too
: place. Mrs. Wilson was a member al
:. officer OF the Rathbone Sisters and bea
: tiful floral tributes were sent from tn
: society and the Knights OF Pythias. T
. sides these were many other floral off
ings. She is survived by her mother, M
L. M. Varney, her husband and tv
brothers, Charles F., and Carl c., bo
:. of this place, and to all of whom mu
y sympathy is extended in the loss of O
8. so devoted to them and their interests
Dr. Oates r. BulIard Dead