George Washington Peck | |
|---|---|
From Volume 1 (1897) ofFreemasonry in Michigan | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's4th district | |
| In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Hestor L. Stevens |
| Succeeded by | De Witt C. Leach |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1818-06-04)June 4, 1818 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | June 30, 1905(1905-06-30) (aged 87) Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
George Washington Peck (June 4, 1818 – June 30, 1905) was aUnited States representative from thestate ofMichigan.
Peck was born inNew York City and pursued classical studies, attendingYale College and studying law in New York City. He moved to Michigan in 1839 and settled inBrighton, where he was admitted to thebar in 1842 and commenced practice there in the same year. He was a member of theMichigan State House of Representatives in 1846 and 1847 and served as speaker the last term. He moved toLansing, when the state capital was located there in 1847. He was the first postmaster of Lansing and wasMichigan Secretary of State from 1848 to 1849. He was editor and proprietor of theLansing Journal and the state printer 1852-1855. He was elected as aDemocrat to theThirty-fourth Congress, serving from March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1857, representingMichigan's 4th congressional district. He was unsuccessful in seeking reelection in 1856.
As aFreemason, Peck was first active in Detroit Lodge No. 2 (Detroit, Mich.), being therein initiated 11 Feb 1846, passed 25 Feb 1846, and raised 17 Mar 1846. He would then over the years become a member of Lansing Lodge No. 33 (Lansing, Mich.), Brighton Lodge No. 42 (Brighton, Mich.), Capitol Lodge of Strict Observance No. 66 (Lansing, Mich.). He served for two terms asGrand Master of theGrand Lodge of Michigan, first elected on 12 Jan 1854, and then re-elected in Jan 1855.[1]
Peck was elected mayor of Lansing in 1867. He then moved toEast Saginaw and engaged in the practice of law until 1873. He moved toSt. Louis, Missouri, in 1873, and toHot Springs, Arkansas, in 1880, and then toBismarck, Missouri, in 1882. He died inSaginaw, Michigan, and is interred in Brady Hill Cemetery there.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Secretary of State of Michigan 1848–1850 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | United States Representative for the 4th Congressional District of Michigan 1855 – 1857 | Succeeded by |