(veteran)

Civil War Veteran Dies Early Monday

Sheldon Peck Came to Washington County in 1879

Sheldon Peck, 87, a Civil War veteran, passed away at his home in Blair Monday forenoon having been ill but a short time. Mr. Peck was born on a mountain farm in Rutland county, Vermont, July 27, 1844. When he was 12 years of age he came with his parents to Tama county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. In April 1867 he was married at Vinton, Iowa, to Elizabeth Loomis and to this union eight children were born, all of whom survive him. The family lived in Tama county, Iowa until 1879 when they removed to Washington county where they have since resided. Mrs. Peck passed away 26 years ago and a few years thereafter Mr. Peck moved into Blair where he has since made his home.

Mr. Peck enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry in September of 1862 and after serving for three years he was discharged. Because of the Indian outbreak, he saw all of his service in the Dakota territory under Gen. Sully. He was an active member of John A. Dix Post, G.A.R. and in the state and national reunion. For sixteen years after retiring from his more active farming he did not miss any national encampment, attending twice in Portland, Oregon, and twice in Boston, Mass. He served as Aid-de-Damp, being commissioned by the National Commander in 1923. He also made an annual pilgrimage to his old home in Vermont as long as he was able to travel.

Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist Church in Blair yesterday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock with Rev. Walter Jackson officiating after which burial was made in the Blair cemetery. Members of the Stanley E. Hain Post of the American Legion acted as pallbearers.

Surviving him are his children: Walter Peck of Tekamah; Benjamin Peck, Tekamah; Fred and Ray Peck of Blair; George Peck of Omaha; Mrs. Mabel Donnelson of Marshalltown, Iowa; Mrs. Blanche Warrick of Blair; and Mrs. Bertha Gollehon of Blair. There are also 37 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He leaves also three brothers, John Peck of McCallsburg, Iowa; James Peck of Marion, Iowa; Frank Peck of Canova, So. Dakota; and one sister, Mrs. Ella Countryman of Winfield, Kansas.

#2-25 Feb., 1932 - The Enterprise

CIVIL WAR VETERAN CALLED

Sheldon Peck, Civil War Veteran, Passes to Great Beyond Monday Feb. 22. Fought Indians In The Dakotas Under Gen. Sully.

CAME TO COUNTY IN 1879

Sheldon Peck, nearly eighty eight years of age, answered the last call Monday morning at 7:45. He had been confined to his home since last May. Recently he contracted the flu, and on account of his advanced age and his weakened condition, was unable to throw off the disease.

Deceased was born in Rutland county, Vermont, and later came to Iowa. When the Civil War broke out, he joined the Iowa Cavalry in 1862, serving through the war under General Sully, being stationed in South Dakota. During this period, he was engaged in several engagements with the Indians, the most important battle being that of White Stone Hill.

He was married to Elizabeth Loomis April 24, 1867 at Vinton, Iowa, and with his family, moved to Washington County in 1879 where he has since made his home.

To Mr and Mrs. Peck eight children were born, all of whom are living. They are Walter and Ben of Tekamah, Mrs. Mabel Donnelson of Marshalltown, Iowa; Mrs. Bertha Galleon and Mrs. Blanche Warrick of Blair; Fred and Ray, also of Blair and George of Omaha.

During his early residence here Mr. Peck was a farmer, and while residing on the farm he was always willing to do his part in the civic duties of the neighborhood, and for years he acted as director of his school district.

The wife passed away some years ago, but Mr. Peck went on with his work. He moved to town something like twenty years ago, and his declining years were spent in well-earned comfort.

He took great interest in the work of the G.A.R. and for sixteen consecutive years, he never missed the National Encampment, going twice to Portland, Oregon and twice to Boston. The last meeting he attended was in Denver three years ago.

He was one of the last of the organization here in Blair, leaving but three of the old members to survive him. His was a life of action, and when the last taps were sounded, it brought to a close a life filled with good deeds.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Methodist church with Rev. Jackson officiating, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Find A Grave Memorial# 57412171