Col. Thomas Peck

1821 - 1886  (64 years)

• Name	Thomas Peck
  Prefix	Col.
  Born	2 Dec 1821	Brockford, Suffolk, England   [1, 2]
  Gender	Male
  Business	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Peck's Malt House
  Elected Office	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Galt Council
  Interesting	story, brewery, sports, guns
  Immigration	1855	, Canada
  Residence	1855	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Occupation	1881	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Maltster
  Residence	1886	Blair Rd, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-104158
  Died	10 Oct 1886	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3, 4]
  	Cause: Senile (6 months) - Bronchitis
  Buried	Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Person ID	I104158	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

  Family	Sarah Freeman Gissing,   b. 7 Oct 1834, Mendlesham Green, Suffolk, England ,   d. 20 Feb 1917, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 82 years)
  Married	25 Apr 1855	Mendlesham Green, Suffolk, England   [5]
  Children	1. Thomas Peck,   b. 14 Oct 1856, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 27 Dec 1927, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 71 years)   2. Mary Peck,   b. CALC 18 Nov 1857, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 18 Sep 1860, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 2 years)   3. Charlotte Peck,   b. 1860, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 25 Sep 1860, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)   4. Jessie Peck,   b. 6 Jul 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 3 Apr 1935, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 73 years)   5. Edith Peck,   b. 1863, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 22 Mar 1863, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)   6. Carrie Edna Peck,   b. 4 Oct 1864, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Aug 1948  (Age 83 years)   7. Bessie Fairfax Peck,   b. 23 May 1867, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 7 Oct 1943, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 76 years)   8. Edward Fairfax Peck,   b. 1868, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 9 Jul 1869, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 1 years)
  Last Modified	7 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F17290	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  "As we turn our steps northward we behold the old stone building on Kerr Street, known as the late Colonel Peck's Malt House, with its two high kiln cupolas, which used to send forth steam from malted barley being dried into malt for making beer; the property now being known as the Malleable Iron Works. In those days, from eighty thousand to one hundred thousand bushels of barley were converted in one season into malt, most of which was exported to New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore, some going to Montreal and to the old city of Quebec. Most of the barley came from the country surrounding Galt from North and South Dumfries, Puslinch, Beverly, Wilmot and Waterloo Townships. In those days, barley constituted a big part of the farm crops which we do not find today. Why? Because the temperance wave practically killed the trade in that product and forced the farmers to raise other crops of much less value." Thirteenth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1925 ________________________ Death of Mr. Thomas Peck It is with a regret that words can but feebly express that we announce today the death of our old and well-known citizen, Lieut. Col. Thomas Peck. It seems almost impossible that these words can be true - that the places which have known our friend so long shall know him no more; but the generous heart has ceased its pulsations forever, and the nature which loved everything manly for its own sake has sunk into the long, long rest of Death. The intimate friends of Mr. Peck have known for some time past that his health has been anything but good. It was hoped, however, that rest and care would restore him to his wanted vigor; but during the past six months he failed very rapidly. He was out on Monday last, however, being apparently no worse than usual; but that evening he was compelled to take his bed from an acute attack of congestion of the lungs. It was felt by all aware of the circumstances that his condition was critical, and absent members of his family were summoned by telegraph; but the progress of the disease was remarkably rapid, and about 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening he peacefully passed away. Mr. Peck was born at Brockford, County of Suffolk, England, on the 2nd of December, 1821, and was consequently in the 65th year of his age. He came to Galt in the year 1855, his intention being to enter into farming. If we mistake not, he did live for some time on the farm near Galt belonging to the late Thomas Rich; but a comparatively sort experience proved to him, as it has done to so many others, that he was unfitted to take up the life of a Canadian farmer, and in a short time he removed into Galt. Here he associated himself with Mr. John G. Dykes, (at present town clerk) and they built the premises on Ker Street known from that day as "Peck's Malt House." After continuing for a few years in partnership, Mr. Dykes withdrew from the firm, leaving the business in the hands of Mr. Peck alone. He continued to carry it on with varying success until a few years ago, when he found it necessary to relinquish it. On the death of Mr. Bryant, collector of customs in this town, Mr. Peck received the appointment to that office, which he occupied up to the time of his death. During his long residence in Galt, Mr. Peck ever took the greatest interest in all manly games and sports. A devoted admirer of cricket, he was ever ready to take his place in an eleven, and even after arriving at an age when most men look for quieter amusements he could be seen in the field or with the bat, as active as many men of half his age. He also took great interest in rifle shooting, and for years occupied the position of President of the Rifle Association of this town - and the members of that association will be free to admit that a day at the butts without the presence of Col. Peck was only half enjoyable. In military matters our old fiend was an enthusiast. He was connected with the 29th Battalion for many years - first as private, then as Captain, afterwards as Major, and finally as Lieut.-Col. He had the faculty to perfection of making his men love him; and either under his command in the ranks, or employed by him in the more peaceful walks of life, all who were brought under his influence felt that they knew a manly, honest man, - one who hated shams because they were shams, and loved truth because it was truth. During several years Mr. Peck occupied a seat at Galt Council, where he brought to the performance of its duties the same sterling independence which characterized him in other matters; but although frequently requested to allow himself to be placed in nomination for the higher offices, he invariably declined. In politics, Col. Peck was an enthusiastic Conservative, and occupied for several years the position of President of the Liberal Conservative Association of South Waterloo, and still more frequently that of the local association in Galt. He never grudged either his time or his means in advancing the interests of his party, and the conservatives of South Waterloo will long bear in remembrance the work, so well done by Col. Peck. Mr. Peck was married before he came to this country, his wife, formerly a Miss Gissing, being left to mourn the loss of a devoted husband. Of the family of eight children, four died when quite young, leaving one son, Thomas, and three daughters, Miss Jessie, Carrie and Bessie, - all, with the exception of Miss Jessie, residing at home. The funeral will take place this (Friday) afternoon, at 1 o'clock, from his late residence, Blair Road. Galt Reporter Oct 22 1886 pg 1 __________________ In Galt, on Wednesday evening, 20th inst., at 7 o'clock, Thomas Peck, a native of Brockford, Suffolk, England, in the 65th year of his age. Funeral, this (Friday) afternoon, at 4 o'clock, from his late residence, Blair road. Friends are invited to attend without further notice. Galt Reporter Oct 22 1886 pg 1

  
  

• Sources

  [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 98. [S2598] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Trinity Anglican Cemetery Internet Link. [sarcophagus] [East] Thomas PECK/ Oct. 1856 - Dec. 1927/ Jessie PECK/ July 1861 - April 1935/ [South] Thomas PECK/ born at Brockford Suffolk Eng. Dec. 2, 1821 died at Galt Oct. 20 1886/ and his wife Sarah Freeman GISSING born Oct. 7, 1834/ at Mendlesham Green, Suffolk Eng. died at Galt Feb. 20 1917/ [North] Carrie Edna PECK/ Oct. 1864 - Aug. 1948/ Bessie Fairfax PECK/ May 1867 - Oct. 1943/ [West] In memoriam [A] Father [B] Mother [C] In/ memory of/ Mary/ who died Sep. 18' 1860/ aged 2 years & 10 mo./ and Charlotte/ who died Sep. 25' 1860/ aged 8 months/ daughters of Thomas &/ Sarah PECK/ [D] In/ memory of/ Edward FAIRFAX/ who died July 9' 1869/ aged 8 months/ son of Thomas/ & Sarah PECK/ [E] In memory of/ Edith/ who died Mar. 22, 1863/ aged 2 months/ daughter of Thomas & Sarah PECK/ [F] Bessie [S1800] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1891, Sec. 1 Page 152. [S2491] aaa Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 018308 (1886). Name:Thomas Peek Gender:Male Age:65 Birth Date:abt 1821 Birth Place:Buckfred Suffolk, England Death Date:20 Oct 1886 Death Place:Waterloo, Ontario, Canada [S2488] aaa Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, marriage certificate 1595927 (1855). Name:Sarah Freeman Gissing Gender:Female Marriage Date:25 Apr 1855 Marriage Place:Mendlesham, Suffolk, England Spouse:Thomas Peek FHL Film Number:1595927

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 2 Dec 1821 - Brockford, Suffolk, England Business - Peck's Malt House - - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - Galt Council - - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Immigration - 1855 - , Canada Residence - 1855 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 25 Apr 1855 - Mendlesham Green, Suffolk, England Occupation - Maltster - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: Senile (6 months) - Bronchitis - 10 Oct 1886 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth