Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-17
DETROIT MoURNS DEATH
 OF GEORGE PECK. Successful Business Man and PhiIan- thropist-Natve of Old Lyme.

The death of George Peck, a native of Old Lyme. Conn, occurred on Sat urday, January Il, at Detroit, Where lis home had been since 1857, and where he had achieved large success in the dry goods business. For 56 years he had been a figure in Detroits S business and financial world and dur ing that time had given much attention to philanthropy. He was a brother of Seth l.. Peck of this city and was last here to visit his broth in September. 1911.
 Of George Peck's death the Detroit Free Press of January 12 says:
 MT George Peck is dead an nounced Superintendent Earth at the Protestant Orphan asylum at sup per hour Saturday.
 The announcement. which caused ex- pression of deep regret in business circles, fell like a blow on several hun- dred waifs, white and black, the ma- jority of whom had known little. if any, personal kin. It resulted in cessation of the meal, and the cries of sincere grief. Business men had lost a trust ed associate, but the children had lost a p1ayfel1oW and benefactar.
 MT. Peck died at his apartments in Hotel CharleVoix about o'clock Saturday afternoon. after about four weeks illness, following a severe cold.
 In Financial World 56 Years.
 For 56 years he had been figure
 
 world, and during that time, had given much attention to philan- thropy.
 He was born at Old Lyme, Conn, November 5. 1894, of English an cestors, some of whom were among the founders of New Haven colony. His first years were spent on the farm of his father, George R. Peek. At fl years of age, he went to Utica, N. Y, and entered the dry goods store of an uncle.
 In 1857 he came to Detroit and went into the dry goods business with James Frisbee. About 1867, he start ed by himself at 137 Woodward, and Woodward avenue where he took three of his salesmen into partnership. They were Joseph Sparling, Walter Spar1ing and William H. Elliott, all of whom later were heads of large dry goods firms. About 1886, he turned the business over to his partners to devote himself to the business of the Michi- gan Savings bank, of which he was president at the time of his death, and to other investments.
 Had Spotiess Record.
 From the time he entered business here, MT. Peck bore a spotIess record for integrity. About the time he left the dry goods business, the Michigan Savings bank was subjected to a run by the depositors. The directors held 9 meeting and elected him president. Business men of that day say his name cE the door caused the line of deposi- tors to melt like a mist.
 He was president of the Edison H. Illuminating company from the time of it's organizat ton, director of the De- roft Fire & Marine Insurance company, of the Michigan Life Insurance com pany, the Michigan Sugar Beet com stockholder in Nelson, Baker & Go, and several other large institutions.
 In his philanthropies he took great pleasure, especially in the af- fairs of the Protestant Orphan asy- lum, in which he had been active for many years. He was a member of the board Of counsel from 1893; was finan- cial agent, with care of the endew boys dormitory, which accommodates 35 youngsters. Each year he gave each of these boys a new suit of clothes, and his gifts to all the inmates of the asylum were generous.
 His benefcence went beyond mere money giving, however, for he spent all of his spare time at the asylum, and the boys and girls treated him as grandfathers The sight of his kindly face within, the door was the signal for a shou@ of joy, and the children would climb over his shoulders and any place to be near him.
 Gave Annual Dinner.
 November each year he celebrated his birthday by giving a dinner to all the inmates of the institution. For several years he had paid especial at tention to the Sunday evening service ! The flag of the institution will fly at half mast until after his funeral.
 MT. Peck gave large sums to the new Y. M c. A. building, but not until he had been assured that the l boys department would be built.
 Married in 1856.
 He was married October 2S, 1858, 1 to Miss Sarah Frisbee Butler, of De- | troit, who died February 14, 1872. He 1 is survived by three children, Mrs. H. 1 J. Caullxins, Miss Julia Peck and Bar | ton L. Peck. all of Detroit.
 MT. Peck kept remarkably vigorus l until within few months of his death. | Last summer, although nearly 7S years 1 old, he went with his daughter, Miss Julia, and three grandchildren on a trip through the Canadian northwest i and to Alaska, and was apparently the I of the party. running LID hills