The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-01-04

4
OF the prominent and notable women
OF Iowa, whose lives have made
| bright pages in the annals of the
state and some of the events Of their
able and energetic career in many of
the movements interesting to women
and the public. Those already writ
ten about had passed away, had fold
ed their hands peacefully across their
breasts and joined the "innumerable
caravan"
Friday there flashed along the wires
the brief and sad announcement Of
the death at her home at Davenport,
Iowa, of Mrs. Maria Purdy Peck Of
later action than those heretofore
| written about but of equal ability and
| fame.
Mrs. Peck was born at West Butler,
N. Y. Nov amber is, 1S48, the only
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Merritt
Purdy, and was the widow of the late
DR.. Washington Freeman Peck. an
eminent physician, considered in his
day one of the ablest and leading ply
sicians In the state. 1t is said that
to him Iowa is indebted for the medi-
cal department of the state univer-
sity, And to him Davenport owes the
foundation of Mercy hospital in that
city. He was public spirited citizen
and did much for the advancement OF
his home city. He died there Deem
Der 10, 1891.
While Mrs. Peck cordially cooper
ated with her husband during his life
in every good work in which he en-
gagged, she did not lean upon his fame
and activity to bring recognition to
her. She possessed an able and ac-
tive mind Of her own and she used
it to good effect, both at home and
abroad. She was one of the founders
of st. Luke's hospital at Davenport
and was the first president of its
board OF managers. 1t was she who
established st. Lukes training school
for nurses. She was looked upon at
Davenport as woman who had been
a distinct power in the development
of the city as well as one OF the most
eminent women of the state, She
was, it is said, practically the founder
of the Davenport Womans club. She
was president of the Biennial board
of the Iowa Federation of Women's
clubs at the state meeting at Dayen
port. While always active she was
always loathe to go forward, and It
was with some hesitation that Mrs.
Peck finally yielded to the persuasion
of the many who urged her to start
the woman's club movement at her
home city. feeling that -thers were
younger women to take up the work
1t was, however, unanimously agreed
that no other woman would be as
perfect club harmony rs sire She
accepted the unsought honor thrust
upon her, and she gave her best abil.
ity, experience and judgment, to max.
ing the club thorough success, and
was the clubs first president.
Mrs. Peck was stata regent of the
Iowa Daughters of American Revolu.
ton for one term and refused re-
election. She was one of the fore
most members Of the =. A. r. of the
state and was always accorded high
honors at national meetings. She
was, up to the time of her death, re-
gent of the Hannah Caldwell chapter
of the D. A. r., of Davenport, and
had been regent of the local chapter
for about fifteen years.
Mrs. Peck's name and fame was
not confined to her adopted state, nor
to her native republic. She will b.
remembered as the vice president at
large of the National Council of Wom-
en- and she was prominent In the in
ternational council in London In July.
1899. AT this quinquannial session OF
what was then the largest organized
body Of women in the world, Mrs.
scholarly paper at one of the after
noon sessions which was pr nted at
the time in Success a New York
magazine, which periodical speaking
of Mrs. Peck, called her "a broad
minded western woman, who is iden-
titled with nearly all the educational,
philosophical and club work OF her
state Iowa)"
1t was at this time that Mrs. Peck
was accorded honors by being invited
to the platform by Lady Henry Som
erset, and she was guest at Queen
Victoria's garden party.
Mrs. Peck was one of the founders
of the Clionian club of Davenport and
had always been its president. 1t is
claimed that the Clionian club was
the first woman's club in Iowa and
from this fact it is claimed by many
that to Mrs Peck and this club may
be attributed the beginning of the
club movement in Iowa.
She was member of the General
Society of Mayiower Descendants, be-
ing a descendant of Stephen Hopkins,
who came to this country in that me-
morable vessel, also member of the
/ Society of Founders and Patriots and