The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-09-26
THADDEUS PECK'S
PASSING RECALLS
.EvEN7FUL CAREER
Was Descendant of One of
Earliest Colonial
Families.

Thaddeus e. Peck, chemist, phil
osopher, inventor, philanthropist and
| one of the most eccentric genuises that
Bridgeport has ever produced, is dead
at the age of IS years at Norwich,
Conn.,, after an eventful life, which
has left it's impress upon the comnun-
ity and will keep him Familiarity be-
fore the recollection of at. least one
generation to come.
In retirement, he was suddenly af-
nlcteds with pneumonia. In a weak
ened physical condition he failed to
respond to medical treatment and
quietly passed away yesterday.
Thaddeus e. Peck, great grandson
OF Rev. Nathan Birdsey, who settled
in Milford about 1898, was the son
of Thaddeus e. and Mary Curtis of
Milford, having been born Jan. II,
1889.
During his youth he attended the
famous Stratford Academy under the
tutelage of Fred Sedgewick,. head
master. His schooling was conduct
ed with all the rigor of olden days
and he graduated an expert in alge-
bra, languages and chemistry.
He was apprenticed in the apothe-
cary shop of Thompson & Booth, then
the most prominent pharmacy in
Bridgeport, located in Water street. He
was associated in work with William
n. Stevens, whose father at one time
was president Of the New York Gem
trail railway. Under the guidance
of the senior partner Thompson, a
man who never made mistake in
pharmaceutical work, Peck became
an adept chemist and prescription
clerk at aStime when medicine was
compounded rather than dispensed.
In 1857 to 81 he was a steward
sergeant in the United States navy,
serving in the Brooklyn navy yard and
at Charleston, 8. c., where he was
captured and is believed 30 have spent
a period Of time as prisoner at the
famous Libby prison.
As proprietor Of the Peck & Mash
Drug store in this city, he will be re-
membered by older residents Of the
city, although he gave up that bust
ness In 1872.
During the '70's, when the Scientific
society of Bridgeport was at its zenith
he was an active member, aiding in
the organization when the society oc-
cupied rooms in the old Curtis build
ing. He gained renown in the world
of science when he disputed a famous
professor of astronomy who came
here from New York to lecture. In
several inventions he was associated
with Sir Hiram Maxim, whom he in
itiated into the Bridgeport Scientific
society.
Mr.. Peck was deep believer in the
theory of suspended animation, about
which he lectured all over the United
States. He was a close associate of
Rev. Emerson, chief advocate Of the
theory a generation ago who was all
but buried alive in furtherance of the
belief
Peck has declared that he maintain
ed life of g. cat for one week when in
laboratory experiments. The cat was
actually immersed In ammonia.
Mr.. Peck married Miss Sarah Col
ton Sammfs at Brooklyn. N. Y, in
1866. The marriage resulted in two
children, one Of whom survives. She
is Miss Mary Louise Peck of Bridge
port, q highly talented musician.
Until about a year ago he lived at
the family homestead in Stratford,
maintaining physical laboratory
there, where his later-day expert
ments in reclamation of ammonia
and other solids from waste products
were extensively carried on. He
claimed to have discovered process
for -.vitalizing' iron but because of his
eccentric genius the sformulae were
carefully guarded by himself and be-
yond the demonstrations he gave to
those closely associated with him no
scientist has had the opportunity of
testing the real means of produc-
ton.
During the worlds Fair of 1893, he
conducted tourist bureau. sending
hundreds of persons from this section
to Chicago and back.
He was the fou.-der of the Institute
Ecclesia with educational and indus
trial objects in view. particularly to
cultivate accuracy In all that relates
to thought and action, life and well
being.
He advocated the Ecle system for
preventing and correcting the pollu-
ton of lands and water courses, puri-
fication of towns and cities by sani-
tary odor1ess methods
Several years ago prior to the world
war. he attempted to found a universal
peace association. with headquarters
at Stratford. When his efforts did
not meet with that response that the
motive ought to inspire, physical
never fully recovered.
Because of the talent possessed by
MI. Peck, he has appeared as the
chief figure in public print on many
occasions when he ardently withstood
all opposition to what he believed to
be right.
The Methodist church Of Stratford
as we'll as other religious and charita-
BILE organizations will have cause to
remember his name with deep venera-
ton for he was their benefactor in
| lands as well as in other ways.
The passing. from this community,
after long life of usefulness of such
deep student, philanthropist and ge-
NAL nature, is a distinct loss to the
community and one which will not be
replaced quickly.