Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Oscar D. PECK

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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> December 2005

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Daily Northwestern May 23, 1895 p.1

Death of O.D. Peck

An Old and Prominent Citizen Passes Away

O.D. Peck, an old and highly respected citizen, died this morning at 8:30
o'clock at his residence on Elm street.  Some time ago an affection of the
heart developed, and increased with such severity that two weeks ago he
took to his bed.  During his latter illness suffered much, although
everything was done for him that medical aid could suggest to alleviate his
suffering.  During the last few days he failed rapidly until death came to
his relief this morning.

Oscar D. Peck was born at Lima, Livingston county, New York, Jan. 3, 1827,
and was consequently in his 69th year at the time of his death.  His
boyhood was pent in North Norwich, Chanango county, New York, and in 1849
he moved to West Troy, Wis., where he lived two years, and then moved to
Palmyra, Jefferson county, where he was in the employ of the Milwaukee &
Prairie du Chien railroad for sixteen years.  In 1867 he came to Oshkosh
and engaged in the lumber and sash and door trade.  Previous to 1875 he was
one of the most extensive manufacturers in that line in the city.  The old
firm of Spaulding & Peck, which operated a large mill on the river, will be
remembered by most of the old residents.  Some time after the big fire and
at the death of Mr. Spaulding, Mr. Peck invested heavily in Arkansas pine
and for several years he operated a large saw mill there and also invested
considerable capital in Wichita, Kan., during the boom period there, which
proved unfortunate in view of the general collapse which soon overtook the
boom towns of the west.  Of late years Mr. Peck had not been engaged in
active business.  But his former connections with the business interests of
the city were large and varied, and his social and fraternal connections
made for him a wide and warm circle of friends.  Of a most agreeable and
hospitable nature, his welcome was always as hearty as was the sincerity
with which he was welcomed.  He was a valued member of the Masonic
fraternity, a Knight Templar and a Knight of Pythias.  His first wife whom
he married in 1852 died two years later, leaving one son, Merrick J. Peck
of Fond du Lac.  By his present wife he leaves four children, Mrs. Arthur
Snell, Mrs. Carl Felker of this city, H.L. Peck of Chicago and C.B. Peck of
Denver.  His sorrowing sisters are Mrs. Rowe of Palmyra, Wis.; Mrs. Dr.
Merrick of Manteno, Ill.; Mrs. Dr. Ross of Los Angeles, Cal., and Mrs. A.C.
Chase of Embarrass.  Two brothers survive him, George R. Peck of Chicago,
and C.B. Peck of Houston, Texas.  Mrs. Ross is expected to arrive tonight. 
His brother in Texas and his son in Denver will be unable to be present at
the funeral.  The funeral will take place from the residence on Sunday at 2
o'clock.  The services will be conducted by Rev. E. H. Smith, according to
the Masonic rites, under the auspices of the Centennial lodge, and the
Knights Templar will act as escort.