Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-05-25
THE LATE MARCUS PECK.
A Leading Citizen Of 6rookfield, Well
Known the State Over.

Marcus Peck, son OF Reuben and Han
nah Peck. was born In Brooktield on the
farm now owned by his brother, Cassius,
June 26, 1884. He was educated at New
bury seminary and also went to school at
Barre. At the former school the late Dea.
Wilcox was one of his sehoolmates, and il
was while there that he became interested
In religion. His education was further
grounded by teaching school for a number
of terms in this and other towns.
Very early In life he began to travel,
selling forks and other farming tools, and
for % years or more he travelled over the
New England states and the state OF New
York once each year ia the interest OF his
business. He was the sole proprietor OF
the fork company known as Peck, Clark
a. Co, and year after year, as he went his
rounds of the trade, he displayed much
business ability.
He always lived in the town Of Brook
field, and was very much interested IN all
efforts for the advancement of the same.
He was a Republican in politics. He was
elected senator of this county in 1850, and
in 1894 was elected representative by his
town. He also held other offices in town
and state. He was a director of the North
field National bank at the time of his
death, having been such since 1884.
Mr.. Peck was a charter member of Mys-
tic Star Lodge, No. 81, +. a A. NJ. and
had filled the position OF worshipful mas
ter nine times, and at the time of his
death was chaplain of the lodge. He was
also a member OF the local Grange and was
its treasurer
Mr.. Peck married June 26, 1853, Mary +.
Wilcox and from that union came four
children Bessie, Frances, Stella and
Marcia. The latter is the only daughter
living the first two dying early in life.
Stella became the wife Of Arthur Lyman
OF Rutland. where she died several years
ago. The surviving daughter is the wife
OF Or. Merton Griswold Of UXbridge,
Mass Mr.. Peck's first wife died in 1872,
and in 1873 he married Mrs. Adeline
Wheatley, daughter OF Walter and Sarah
Abbott, who survives him.
Mr.. Peck has been very active In church
work. For % years he was deacon Of the
Second Cong'l church, and for a much
longer period clerk of the same. He was
also superintendent Of the Sunday school
for a great many years in his younger
days To the very last he was interested
in all that pertained to the church and was
teacher OF the young mems class, and
also first trustee OF the society connected
with the church. He was man who did
many acts Of kindness and the past win
Ter aided those who were in need, and to
the poor he gave freely from his means.
Surely he exemplitied practical religion
in daily life and his good word and kind
voice will be much missed in this COM
munity.
Funeral services were held last Friday.
A brief service was held at the home and
then the public funeral was held at the
Second Cong'l church at ? p. M. The
church was crowded with relatives, vis-
tors from a distance, friends in many
places and the people of the town. Every
pew was occupied except the one used by
the departed, which was draped.
The services began with music by a quar-
tet OF male voices, consisting of G. H., Z.
A. and A. G. Bigelow and Harold Dewey,
who sang three selections, the last of
which was Nearer, My God, to Thee"
The pastor OF the church, Rev. X. III.
Abercrombie, conducted the service, and
in his remarks emphasized certain char
of Mr.. Peck as citizen, bust
ness man and a Christian. In each OF
these characters be was one that Will be
missed very much. As citizen he was
always ready TO do his part in the town or
state or nation. A good representative OF
the town in different positions, he always
spoke well Of il and did much for il. As
a business man he was well liked by those
with whom he did business and they
looked forward 10 his coming as the meet
ing of friend, and as an occasion for the
exchange Of fraternal greetings.
In his business he displayed good deal
OF ability in competing with others in the
same line. HIS goods sold readily in
nearly all the New England states and
New York. During his Illness many let
ters were received by Mrs. Peck, express
ing sorrow for what had come upon him.
He was a type OF the business man that
believed in honesty and his word was as
good as his bond.
As a religious or a Christian man, he
was seen at his best. A liberal giver to
the church, and an active man in all the
OF the church, il was home to
him, and no matter where he was in his
travels, il he could get back home, he
would be in his place on the Lords day
ready 10 do whatever.he could. He was
ever ready to do his part in church, in
sunday school and in the prayer service.
He was a friend 10 the poor and no one
hat was in need and came to him ever
went away without receiving something
from him. He was interested in all that
was for the best in his native town, and
be win be much missed in the days to
come.
Rev. w. A. Bushee spoke also concern
ing the life Of the departed as a man OF
business and as a keen man in discerning
.hings which were spiritual.
Very many beautiful flowers were
around the casket and on II, among them
IN open book from Mystic Star Lodge,
seventy carnations from Crescent Chapter,
D. r.. $, wreath from Norshheid bank,
seventy pinks from the local Grange,
pillow from his Sunday school class, and
llso a great many other pieces from diff
erent individuals.
The members OF Mystic Star Lodge, with
lthers from Milliamstown, Randolph and
Sorthfield, marched from Mr.. Peck's late
nome in this village 10 the church and sat
N a body in the church. They also
marched to the cemetery at the Center and
vent through their ritual service for the
lead. A large number Of friends and rel
Itives were present and witnessed the
eryice. Intefment was in the family lot
n the old cemetery.
Among those in attendance at the fune-
al were Hon. Cassius Peck and family OF
who returned home Saturday;
Arthur Lyman, a aon-in-law, and family
u Rutland: DR.. and Mrs. Merton Gris-
void Of Uxbridge. Mass, who came Fri
iay; and the following directors Of the
Sorthfield National bank;-C. A. Edger-
on. IA. II. Brown and George Tilden.
n. II. A..
Terrific Race With Death.
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