Com. Sgt. George M. Peck

Com. Sgt. George M. Peck

   Listed in the 1859-1860 Elgin Directory as a Clerk with J. Parker.

1861 Elgin Class II Reserve Militia

   Signed the roll July 27, 1861.

Field 52nd Ill. Vol. Inf.

Three Years Service

The Lincoln Regiment

   Enlisted Sept. 6, 1861
   Home of record listed as Dundee, Ill's.

   Notice: Dec. 12, 1861 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 52d, Col. Wilson's has gone to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they will spend the winter, Price seems to have frightened Halleck out of the idea of going down the river and so our brave soldiers must be distributed over Missouri to protect a people who will not protect themselves.

   Mustered In Oct. 25, 1861 at Camp Lyon in Geneva, Ill's.

   Notice: Oct. 22, 1862 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 7th and 52d-Both these regiments were in the fight at Corinth.  The 52d was badly cut up, not so bad however, as some of the others.  Lieut., Col. John S. Wilcox was in command and we learn that he conducted himself with great coolness and bravery.
   The 7th took a hand in when the bayonet charge was made upon the rebels after they had gained the inside of our breastworks.  We do not learn that any of Capt. lawyer's company from this town were wounded.
-Aurora Beacon.

   Mustered Out Oct. 24, 1864.

Known actions;
Ft. Donelson, Tenn.       Feb. 11, 1862
Shiloh, Tenn.                 April 6, 1862
Iuka, Miss.                    Sept. 19, 1862
Corinth, Miss.              Oct. 3, 1862
Lay’s Ferry. Ga.         May 15, 1863
Resaca, Ga.                 May 13, 1864
Nickajack Creek, Ga. July 2, 1864
Jonesboro, Ga.           Aug. 31, 1864
Allatoona Pass, Ga.   Oct. 5, 1864

Post War;
   Moved to Elgin, Ill.
   Member Elgin GAR Post #260.
   Listed on the 1870 Illinois State Census #237/299 as aged 27 years living in Elgin.
   Awarded a pension of $6.00 for Chronich Diarrhea and Catarrh attributed to his service in Aug. 1882.
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 June 17, 1884.
   Died Sept. 29, 1935 at his home on 620 Highland Ave.

   Obit; Sept. 27, 1935 issue of The Elgin Courier-News.
   George M. Peck, 92 years old, one of the pioneer business men of Elgin, a Civil war veteran, and vice-president of the first National bank, died at 2:15 yesterday afternoon, at his home, 620 Highland ave.  He had suffered with a slight heart attack about one week ago, but despite the ailment had been active about his home, as usual, and had, in fact, entertained friends Wednesday evening.
   Mr. Peck was widely known throughout business circles of northern Illinois and was numbered among the city's early bankers and merchants.  During pioneer days he was proprietor of the largest store in Kane county.  He was also interested in other business enterprises, and for many years served as president of the Elgin Windmill Co.  He retired from active affairs in 1920 after 52 years of outstanding service as a merchant and as a city leader.
   Mr. Peck was born in Dundee on Aug. 14, 1843, the son of George J. and Marietta Mansfield Peck, who came from Schenectady, N.Y.  George spent his early boyhood on his father's farm and came to Elgin when he was 13 having resided in the city since that time.  He entered the employ of the Parker Dry Goods Co., serving as a clerk until he reached the age of 17, when at the outbreak of the war he enlisted at Dundee in Co. K, 52nd Illinois inf. detailed to the commissary department.  He served for 3 1/2 years in the civil war.
   During this period of service, in July 1862, he was sent home, from Mississippi, suffering with an ailment from which it was then supposed he would not recover.  He improved, however, and rejoined his regiment.  Sanford Pick, his brother, also served in the war, as did his friend, Henry Clay Edwards, once a Dundee resident, who was the father of A. D. Edwards of Elgin.
   After returning from the war Mr. Peck took a course of training at a business college at Chicago, for two years.  Completing this phase of his education he was employed for a short time y the Carlisle Hardware Co.  He had been identified with business interests, on his own account, since 1867.  After a brief experience with the hardware firm, Mr. Peck became associated with the mercantile firm of Bosworth Bros. & Peck bough the DuBois Dry Goods Store.  The new firm was called teh Geo. M. Peck Co. and a grocery store was connected with it under the name of Peck & Eaton.  The two stores were located on either side of the entrance of the old Grand Opera house--now the Rialto theater.  In 1892 he purchased the old city hall and built a 4-story building on that site at 38-40 S. Grove ave.  There he continued in his business until 1920, when the Palm Sunday tornado demolished the building.  He rebuilt the block which is now occupied by the Joseph Spiess Co.
   Mr. Peck was for many years interested in the Elgin Windmill Co., and was its president until a few months ago, when he resigned.  His place as a director was taken by a grandson George Peck Edwards.
   He was elected president of the old Elgin City Banking Co. in 1922 and served in that capacity until March, 1933, when the bank was merged with the first National bank, Mr. Peck becoming vice-president of the latter institution, where he had been a director for many years.
   Mr. and Mrs. Peck had long been interested in the direction of the Old people's home, which they helped to organize.  They were numbered among the original members oft he home board, and Mr. Peck had served as chairman of the finance committee, a position he relinquished a year ago, succeeded by his son-in-law, A.D. Edwards.
   About 35 years ago Mr. Peck was a member of the board of education, and had served for 10 years.  While serving in this capacity he selected the present site of the Washington school building.
   On May 17, 1877, Mr. Peck was married to Miss Julia C. Chapman, daughter of the late Samuel Chapman.  Besides Mrs. Peck, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Alfred D. Edwards, 706 Highland ave.; three grandsons, George Peck Edwards, Alfred Henry Edwards and Robert Chapman Edwards.  The latter is a senior at Elgin academy, and Alfred Henry Edwards is a ujunior at Princeton university.  A son, Richard K. Peck, died in May, 1931, in the crash of the Chicago Daily News plane the "Blue Streak" near Wheaton, during an experimental flight.
   Mr. Peck was a member of the first Congregational church, and of the Elgin Veteran post 49, of the G.A.R.
   Private funeral service will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30, at the home, 620 Highland ave., the R34v. Alexander Milmine officiating.  pallbearers will be Joseph C. Spiess, Frank H. McDonald, Lyman F. Black, Roland Bosworth, George W. Glos and Atty. Arthur L. Paulson.

Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc.

Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc.