Thursday, May 1, 2014

DEATH OF BISHOP PECK



Bishop Jesse T. Peck

The Cortland News, Friday, May 25, 1883.
Death of Bishop Peck.
   Bishop Jesse T. Peck, who had been in feeble health for several months and who about two weeks previous was attacked with pneumonia, died at Syracuse on Thursday, May 17, aged 72 years. The following biographical sketch of Bishop Peck's life and labors we take from the New York Tribune:
   "Bishop Peck was born in Middlefield, Otsego county, N.Y., April 4, 1811. He was licensed to preach in 1829; two years after he joined the Methodist Church. In taking this step he followed three elder brothers. In 1812 he joined the Oneida Conference and continued in pastoral work until 1837. He was then elected principal of the high school afterward known as the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary. In 1841 he became principal of the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt. In 1848 he was elected president of Dickinson College at Carlisle, Penn. Four years later he became pastor of the Foundry Church at Washington, and in 1854 he was made secretary and elder of the Tract Society. In 1856 he became the pastor of the Greene Street Church in this city, and two or three years later he was transferred to California, where he remained for eight years as pastor of churches in San Francisco, Santa Clara and Sacramento, serving for a time also as president of the Board of Trustees of the University of the Pacific and as president of the California Bible Society. Returning to the East he was stationed at Peekskill, Albany and Syracuse, being sent to the latter city to aid in founding the Syracuse University. He held the office of president of the Board of Trustees of this university until 1872, when he was elected bishop.
   "Bishop Peck was a member of all the General Conferences held since 1844, and was one of the best known bishops of his church. As a pulpit and platform speaker he was attractive and at times powerful. He was always unceasing in his labors, which were of practical advantage to his denomination. He was all his life interested in education and in the cause of missions. In the midst of other work he found time to write several books, including the following: "The Central Idea of Christianity," "The True Women," "What Must I Do to be Saved?" and "The History of the Great Republic."
   "When Syracuse University was founded Bishop Peck promised a subscription of $25,000 to its funds, and a few days ago he told a friend that the day of his death would find this promise fulfilled. "I have an ambition," he said, "to die without anything, for I am going where I shall have infinite riches of a kind that will suit me better than any of these material things." Bishop Peck was married forty-seven years ago, and his wife survives him."
   The funeral of Bishop Peck was held at Syracuse Monday afternoon, and was largely attended by people from all sections of the country. Rev. Andrew Peck, of Cortland, the Bishop's eldest and only surviving brother, was present among the relatives. Remarks were made by Rev. Dr. Wilbor, Chancellor Sims, and Bishops Hurst and Simpson. A large procession followed the remains to Oakwood cemetery, where they were buried in a plot of ground overlooking the University campus.

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