MAGLCPeck

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CHAUNCY EDWIN PECK 1844-1921

ChaunceyPeck1921.jpg

Grand Pursuivant, 1913
Senior Grand Warden, 1914

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1921-184:

Chauncey Edwin Peck was born in Tolland, Connecticut, February 8, 1844, son of Alpheus and Moriva (Kibbe) Peck. When he was nine years old. the family removed to Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where R.W. Bro. Peck continued to live until his death. He received his education in the schools of that town.

At the age of seventeen years Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck volunteerecl his services to his country in the Civil War, enlisting in the cavalry and serving under Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Hooker.

At the conclusion of the war he returned to Wilbraham, where for many years he conducted. a carriage and blacksmith shop. He held many places of honor and trust in Wilbraham and as the years passed his reputation for integrity and ability increased until he became the trusted leader in about every public undertaking for the improvement and better living conditions of the town.

To him, also, was intrusted the administration of many estates, all of which were executed with economy and good judgment for the interests of those for whom he had undertaken the work. Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck's work in compiling a history of Wilbraham, which was published. and which formed the basis of the historical address at the town's centennial celebration in 1914, was a notable achievement and won for him the gratitude of his townsmen. He devoted virtually all of his time to a study of the town records for nearly four years and produced a work which has been regarded. as an ideal volume of its kind.

Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck was raised a Master Mason in Newton Lodge, of Wilbraham, June 16, 1871. This Lodge was constituted November 10, 1870. From the moment of his connection with Masonry Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck took an active part in its affairs. His progress through the chairs of his home Lodge was rapid and in 1874, three years after he was raised, he became Master, and presided over the Lodge for the next succeeding five years, retiring in 1878.

During his five years as Master he was chiefly responsible for establishing an enviable reputation for his Lodge among the Masonic orders of the State, despite the fact that in size it was outstripped by many others. Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck's interest in Masonry did not cease with his retirement as Master, but until his death he gave a great deal of his time to the interests of his home Lodge, of the District with which his Lodge was affiliated, and later with the Grand Lodge. In 1894 he was appointed Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, which post he held with unusual distinction until 1910, when he declined reappointment to take up his work as historian for the town of Wilbraham, to which he had been recently elected. In the seventeen years, as Grand Lecturer, Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck performed a splendid service for Massachusetts Masonry.

He worked constantly to instruct and perfect the Lodges, not only in the accuracy of ritual but in its expression and the application of its teachings in the building of a higher and better grade of humanity. He never failed to impress upon the Lodges the great moral lessons, and when he retired in 1910 he left behind him the proud record of having created an exceptionally high standard of work and having elevated the moral conception of the teachings of the Masonic Institution, for which prominent officials of this Grand Lodge have frequently expressed their appreciation.

One of the highest compliments ever paid a Mason was accorded. to Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck at the fiftieth anniversary exercises of Newton Lodge, November 10, 1920, by the Most Wor. Grand Master, when he declared that all Masons in Massachusetts owed. a deep debt of gratitude to Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck for the task he performed in bringing the ritual work to its present exceptional standard.

Although in failing health, Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck had persisted in his task of writing a history of Newton Lodge, which formed the basis of his historical address given at the anniversary exercises above mentioned. This work showed careful research and his usual ability in compilation.

In 1913 Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck returned to this Grand Lodge, receiving the appointment of Grand Pursuivant, and in 1914 was elected. Senior Grand Warden, an honor which his thousands of friends in Massachusetts believed he richly deserved.

Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck became a member of Evening Star Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, March 26, 1903, of Massasoit Council Princess of JerusaIem, April 30, 1903, of Springfield Chapter of Rose Croix, May 2, 1903, and of Massachusetts Consistory January 1, 1915; but had not been active in Scottish Rite Masonry.

Rt. Wor. Bro. Peck was a typical New Englander of the better class, and his life as it appeared to all who knew him cannot be better presented than by Professor Gaylord William Douglas, Headmaster of Wilbraham Academy, who at Bro. Peck's funeral said (in outline), "The three outstanding characteristics of Bro. Peck's life were- Dignity, Integrity, and Loyalty:-

I. Dignity:

"Not a false dignity put on for certain occasions or with certain persons, but a natural dignity which enveloped. him like a mantle, which did not permit him to harbor ill will or petty grievance against his neighbors or others, and did not seek revenge for ill favor which might be shown him, but rather it kept him well poised and well fitted for certain duties, such as Moderator at the town meeting where he presided many years, and where he was ever fair to all. It made him conservative in his thinking and attitude, bul; always open to ideas of others and ready to change his own opinions when convinced he had formed a wrong conclusion.

II. Integrity:

"A sense o{ honor and honesty, which he held unchanging through the changing years. He told his only lie with regard to his age when he enlisted in the Civil War. Integrity made him thorough and painstaking in every task and duty, as administrator of estates, as treasurer of the Congregational Parish, as Grand Lecturer in his fraternal order, and as author of the History of the Town of Wilbraham. It kept him serious and sincere in all relations of life."

III. Loyalty:

"The quality of 'standing by' in all things to which he had pledged his life or given his plighted word. When he had linked his life with any worthy object or organization, he was never turned aside by fancied slight or trivial reasons. This quality of loyalty was always prominent in his marked devotion to his Lodge - the Masonic Order - in which he served in all offices and positions, to his Country - which he served not only in the period of war but during his whole life, to his Town - where he held a justifiable pride and was a most worthy citizen, to his Church - which he joined in early manhood, and to which he stood true until his latest breath, to his Bible Class - where he was ever present when health permitted. These are characteristics of a good man, a good citizen, a good Christian. And these our good friend, and neighbor ever was."

Our Rt. Wor. Bro. Chauncey Edwin Peck has passed to his reward and we who loved him will no longer meet him face to face on earth, but the trail he has left and beside which he planted the flowers of Dignity, Integrity, anrl Loyalty, will broaden through all time and make the pathway of duty to those who follow plainer and we believe more alluring.

Edwin A. Blodgett,
D. Edward Miller,
Hiram I. Dillenback,
Committee.


Distinguished Brothers