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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 184 - 185 |
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ELWOOD PECK
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On the roster of Wexford county's able lawyers is found the name of the late Elwood Peck, who, though a young man at the time of his lamented death, had already reached a commanding place at the Cadillac bar, besides gaining distinctive prestige in legal circles throughout the northern part of the state. Called away at the zenith of his usefulness and. in the ripeness of his mental and professional powers, he so impressed his individuality upon the city of his adoption as to become not only an influential factor in its legal affairs, where his genius shone preeminent, but in all measures and enterprises making for the community's material, social and moral advancement his position was that of a leader whose wisdom and ability paved the way for others to follow. The third child and second son of Alvah and Julia (Cronk) Peck, Elwood Peck was born July 2, 1865, in Cohocton, Steuben county, New York, and there spent the first seventeen years of his life, receiving meanwhile a fair mental discipline in the public schools. In the spring of 1882 he moved with his parents to Wexford county, Michigan, and during the ensuing three or four years assisted his father in developing the farm, bearing his full share of the labor attending such experiences and with strong and willing hands contributing to the support of the family. Possessing a studious nature and feeling the need of a more thorough training than the common schools could impart, he soon entered the West Michigan College at Grand Rapids, where he prosecuted his studies until completing the prescribed course, being graduated from that institution in the year 1891. Actuated by a laudable ambition to fit himself for a career of usefulness, and selecting law as the profession best suited to his tastes and inclinations, young Peck, in the spring of 1884, came to Cadillac and entered the office of E. E. Haskins, under whose direction he pursued his legal studies until his admission to the bar, the year following. Meantime, at the age of twenty-three, he had been elected justice of the peace for Hanover township, which office he held two years, being chosen after moving to the county seat. He was made town treasurer by the votes of the people, a position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public for a, few years. Mr. Peck soon forged to the front as an able and judicious lawyer and won a lucrative practice in addition to his official duties, his name appearing in connection with much important litigation from the date of his admission to the bar until his death. Some conception of his popularity with the public and of the confidence the people reposed in him may be inferred from the fact of his almost continuous retention in important official positions during the period of his residence in Cadillac. In 1894 he was appointed deputy county treasurer, which position he held by successive reappointments until 1896, when he was elected circuit court commissioner. He discharged the duties of the latter office until 1900, having been re-elected in 1898, and in addition thereto also served as deputy register of deeds, proving under all circumstances a most capable and judicious public servant. In conducting the duties of the several posts with which the people honored him he made himself very popular by his reliability and gentlemanly demeanor to all having dealings of an official character, and it is universally conceded that his different administrations were among the ablest, most straightforward and business-like in the history of the city and county. Mr. Peck was a Mason of high degree and a leading spirit of Sherman Lodge at Cadillac, which he served in the highest official capacities within the power of the members to bestow. He was also an active worker in the Royal Arch degree, the Royal and Select Masters and the Order of the Eastern Star, besides being prominently identified with the Knights of the Maccabees and other organizations of a fraternal and benevolent character, in all of which his influence was potent and his efforts effective. Socially his relations with the people of Cadillac were most pleasant and agreeable and every enterprise making for the city's good, materially or along other lines, enlisted his earnest endeavors and hearty co-operation. Mr. Peck had profound convictions in the matter of religion, his early training and subsequent study and investigation leading him to accept Christianity as the one faith most conducive to man's happiness here and in the world to come. Subscribing to the Congregational creed, he early became an active worker in the church and in the spring of 1895 he was elected clerk of the congregation at Cadillac, a position he worthly held until called from the church militant to the church triumphant. Mr. Peck, as indicated, possessed natural abilities of a high order, which, strengthened and disciplined by continuous study, made him an influential factor in the business and social world. He had a strong legal mind, easily comprehended the most complex and obstruse principles of the law and, possessing the ability to apply the same in practice, would no doubt have risen to high honor and distinction in his profession had not death so untimely terminated his bright and promising career. Among his friends he was the personification of good fellowship and in whatever circle he moved his easy dignity, genial disposition and cordial manner marked him at once as the courteous and refined gentleman. Every trust reposed in him was faithfully guarded and religiously discharged, his duties, professional, official and social, were most carefully observed and made coordinate to every other consideration and he always did the right as he saw and understood the right and endeavored to realize within himself his highest and noblest ideals of manhood. Mr. Peck died on the 19th day of December, 1901, being in the prime of manhood and in the maturity of his powers when he passed away. In his death his family suffered the loss of a dutiful son and brother, the city and county one of their most efficient and popular public servants, the legal profession one of its ablest and most promising members, and the state a representative citizen who honored and adorned every station to which he had been called. Human life is like the waves of the ocean that flash for a few brief moments in the sunlight, marvels of power and beauty and then, dashed upon the remorseless shore of death, they are broken and disappear forever. As the sea has rolled for unnumbered ages in the past and will continued to roll and chant its sublime dirge for ages to come, so will the waves of human life follow each other in countless succession to the one common goal until time shall be no more. |