Charles Henry Peck

Peck, Charles Henry, manufacturer and a promoter of many of the most important industrial and financial enterprises of St. Louis, was born September 21, 1817, in New York City, and died in St. Louis, July 3, 1899. Both his parents were of English descent, and his father, Stephen Peck, closely related to some of the oldest and most influential families of New England, was a native of Connecticut and adescendant of William Peck, who was born in London, England, in 1601, came to this country in 1637, and was one of the founders of the New Haven colony in 1638. The family name is of very ancient origin, and the coat of arms, worn by its representatives in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, is to be found in the British Museum. The father of Charles H. Peck died in New York City when the son was four years of age, and is buried in old St. Paul’s churchyard. His mother removed soon after the death of her husband to New Jersey, where her father resided on a large farm. On this farm the son grew up under the care of his mother, and there he obtained a good English education, evincing in his youth much of the vigor and energy which were later characteristic of his operations during a long and active business career. He was reared under favorable auspices, and in the midst of pleasant environments, but as he approached manhood showed a disinclination to confine his activities to the circumscribed limits of a rural community. With the consent of his mother he returned to New York City when he was seventeen years of age, and apprenticed himself to an architect and master builder. He applied himself to his chosen vocation with the zealand diligence inherent in his nature until he had completed his apprenticeship and mastered the business in all its details. He then conceived the idea of seeking in the West what was regarded in those days as the field of boundless opportunities, trusting to his own efforts, industry and energy to enable him to establish himself in business. Jn pursuance of this plan he left New York, following the westward lines of travel in those days and going by way of the Hudson River to Albany, thence to Buffalo by canal-boat, and from there by way of the chain of lakes by steamer to Chicago. After stopping a little time in Chicago, he made his way down the Fox and Illinois Rivers in a flat-bottom boat built by himself and his partner, to Peoria, and there took a keel-boat, which landed him at Beardstown, Illinois. From Beardstown he traveled across the country to Alton, and from Alton came by steamer to St. Louis, reaching this city at the end of a long and roundabout journey in the autumn of 1838. He was at that time twenty-one years of age, mentally and physically a vigorous young man, firm in the determination to win his way to position and affluence. St. Louis was not, however, a great city in those days; fortunes were not made rapidly, as now, n lated, as a rule, except by eamest off persistent application to business short, ang moderately remunerative, Whites only as now, a substantial city, OE toi then, distinguishing characteristic of the Sm wasa men of St. Louis, and men of cuter i energy were needed to stimulate ane a and industrial activity. Mr. Peck P of the pioneers of this class, and from the beginning of his career as a citizen of this ety was foremost in encouraging the development of latent resources and the building up of in. dustries in the city and throughout the State From that time he was engaged in the conduct and management of, or pecuniarily interested in, many of the largest and most successful manufacturing enterprises of St. Louis. He began his career here as a master builder, without any capital other than a knowledge of his craft and an inborn genius for the conduct of affairs. In the capacity of architect and builder he contributed largely to the improvement and embellishment of the city, erecting many of the finest and largest buildings in the St. Louis of that period, He built most of the government buildings in the old arsenal, now called Lyon Park, and also built the magazines in Jefferson Barracks. The city and sauny residences of the late Henry Shaw were built under his supervision, and he assisted ae laying out the first outlines of Shaw's a At Of interest in this connection is the i ra fact that the first building on which ie A in St. Louis, erected for Daniel D. Page. still standing. A financier, as well are mechanic, Mr. Peck succeeded in ae busias he would have succeeded in any o! tated ness, and in due course

Or was money accumy i cumu me ac of tt wage

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Cune the wan Py, Mc k of the company during ve with James H. Lucas and Jog g t > et and 65 he purchased ground in lished there the first furnace built west of the Mississippi River to smelt Missouri iron ores with Illinois coal. The smelting of these ores with the Illinois coal was an experiment, tried successfully by Mr. Peck and his associates, and immediately thereafter, in company with other gentlemen, he built the Vulcan Iron Works and Steel Rail Mill, and became a conspictious figure among the iron manufacturers of the country. He was a member of the committee which met in Philadelphia in 1876 and organized the Bessemer Steel Association, which became a potent factor in the extension and development of the iron trade. For many years he was prominently identified with railroad interests in an official capacity, and as a stockholder also in various railroad companies. He was a director of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company in the early history of that enterprise, and was one of the guests of the company on the occasion of the memorable Gasconade bridge disaster of 1855, and when the train went down was seated near the Rev. Dr. Bullard, of St. Louis, who was killed. During the war he was one of the active movers in extending the Missouri Pacific road from Sedalia to Kansas City. In connection with Daniel R. Garrison and others, he built a railroad from Kansas City to Atchison, becoming one of the owners of the road and a director of the company controlling and operating it. For more than a quarter of a century the St. Louis Gas Company had the benefit of his sagacious counsels and advice in its conduct and management, and time and again he was honored with the vice-presidency of that corporation. As early as 1847 he became interested in the planing-mill business, building at that time, in company with his brother, a planing-mill at the corner of Eighth Street and Park Avenue. In 1866 he built what was then the largest planing-mill in the city, at the coraenor Fourteenth and Poplar Streets. He was A ao of the first Lindell Hotel Company, the h ne the beginning of the war, work on eee S building was suspended for lack of beid he financiered the completion of the ing aaa and then negotiated for its furnishore ene by Spar & Parks, proprieseach enters House. He was the repwhich PA of Jesse Lindell in perfecting leases side of T to the improvement of the north ana Ti washington Avenue, between Eleventh of thirteenth Streets, in 1857, and was one commissioners for the apportionment of the large estate of Peter Lindell. For man years he was a director of the Mechanics’ f which h Mechanics’ Bank, a ar e was one of the incorporators and ARS He was long a director also of sident Savings Bank. He was a director and vice-president of the Missouri State Mutual Insurance Company, and organized and became president of the City Mutual Insurance Company. He was an incorporator, director and treasurer of the St. Louis Mutual House Building Company, the pioneer institution of the kind in St. Louis. He was one of the incorporators of the Insurance Exchange Building Company, which built, in 1868, the Insurance Exchange Building, now standing on the corner of Broadway and Olive Street. From the date of its organization he was a member of the Merchants’ Exchange, and was one of the first trustees of Vandeventer Place, appointed in 1870, and also the last surviving member of the original board of trustees. The numerous business enterprises with which he was identified, and the demands made upon his time by his large and varied interests, did not keep him from sharing actively in church and charitable work, and for many years he was officially connected with the old Central Presbyterian Church as a member of its board of trustees. At a later date he was long an active layman of the First Presbyterian Church. His activity in politics was limited to casting his vote for good government, and to giving expression to his political views through the medium of the ballot box. Few men have been identified with St. Louis since its history began whose activities have covered so broad a field as did those of Mr. Peck, or whose enterprise has contributed so much to the general wealth and welfare of the city. His was truly an exceedingly busy life, and a vast amount of work left his hands complete. Thoroughly systematic in everything, he was able to do a great amount of work with comparative case, and at the same time to enjoy the amenities of social life, and to draw around him a large circle of warm personal friends. Eminently successful in all his undertakings, the secret of his success seems to have been that his zeal was always well directed, his nervous energy tempered by admirable discretion, and his enterprise coupled with rare judgment. He was always a plain man, whom prosperity did not late, and he referred with pride to his early life with its struggles and hardships, not so much to contrast it with his later condition as to call attention to the lesson which it taught, and the incentive which it offered to young men who have to make their own way in the world. Strict integrity in the conduct of all his affairs, and devotion to all the duties incumbent upon him as a business man and a citizen, were dominant characteristics of Charles H. Peck. For many years he exerted a potent influence in the affairs of St. Louis, and the strong impress of his individuality has been indelibly stamped upon the commercial and industrial history of the city. His career carried with it its own lesson and the type of broad-minded, benevolent and Christian manhood, which he exhibited, is well worthy of emulation. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Rebecca Adams, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was one of the early members of Dr. Potts’ church of this city, and whose estimable qualities have been universally recognized in church and social circles. Mrs. Peck belongs to an old and well known Massachusetts family, and the late Rev. Austin Phelps, of Andover College, was her cousin.

Peck, James H., jurist, was born in Tennessee, was educated for the bar and began the practice of his profession in that State. He came to Missouri about 1820, and a few years later was appointed judge of the United States District Court. He was impeached at the instance of Judge Luke E. Lawless, and charged with tyranny, oppression and usurpa: tion of power. His trial before the United States Senate lasted six weeks, and resulted in his acquittal.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

French à yal high gt Louis:

years center. His generous hand was ever open when suffering humanity made mute appeal, as in the days of the great flood, the great fire, and the cholera. The mother was a beautiful and accomplished woman, whose home was the scene of the most brilliant social events of the day. Upon their daughter, Virginia, was bestowed all that wealth could afford; she was sent to Steubenville, Ohio, where she attended a female seminary, then the most highly regarded institution of learning for young ladies in the West, under the superintendence of the Rev. C. C. Beatty, eminent as a teacher and clergyman. The liberal course she there mastered was followed with the best of instruction in the languages, music and painting, under private teachers. When she entered, society it was to take a first place. Her beauty of person, charm of manners and brilliant conversational powers, combined with the courtly grace derived from her birth and training, made her a center of attraction in the most refined and select circles. In that day St. Louis surpassed all cities in the West, and equaled any in the East, in all that makes up polite society. Jefferson Barracks was the most important military post west of the Alleghany Mountains, and second only to West Point as an assembling place for army officers. Necessarily, the families accompanying them, and their friends who came to visit, were of the highest social position, bringing with them, from the East and the South, all the refinements derived from an established order in social life, supplemented by the European aids to art and dress which first reached the coast cities of America. St. Louis boasted a courtly and refined society of its own, and here the beauty and culture of all portions of the country met and assimilated, warmly and congenially, at the barracks, or in the city. Of all the Mansions open to such gatherings, none was More frequently visited, nor in any was hospitality more generous, than at the parental home of Miss Sarpy, and in these assemblies she phone as a leader. At such times, while yet a girl, she met Jessie Benton, then plan- Ting marriage with Fremont. At other times it was her pleasing fortune to meet Daniel Webster, America’s greatest orator; Jenny Lind, the sweet cantatrice; Charles Dickens, the inimitable novelist, and Kossuth, the Hunarian patriot, and Stephen A. Douglas, the great Senator from Illinois. Miss Sarpy was Married in St. Louis in June, 1847, to Frederick Berthold, son of Bartholomew Berthold, a Tyrolese, who served as an officer in the French Army, was wounded in the battle of Marengo, and was obliged to leave France on account of his opposition to Napoleon. Of this marriage were born ten children, of whom but three survive, two daughters, now ladies prominent in society, and a son, J. B. S. Berthold, of the firm of Berthold & Jennings, lumber dealers of St. Louis. In 1864 Mrs. Berthold went to Europe to-educate her younger children, spending most of her time in Paris, but visiting other capital and famous cities. Mr. Berthold having died, she married, in 1870, while in Rome, Mons. Armand Pcugnet, a gentleman of excellent family, connected with the diplomatic service under Louis Napoleon. One child was born of this marriage, Maurice Berthold Peugnet, who entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, was there graduated, and commissioned a naval officer. While in Europe the accomplishments and high social standing of Mrs. Peugnet afforded her ready access to court circles, particularly in Spain, where her husband, Mons. Peugnet, was stationed in the diplomatic service of France. During the many years, among the notables to whose presence she was admitted were two ladies whose fate excites the commiseration of all womanhood. One was Eugenia, Empress of France. The other was Isabella, Queen of Spain. Mrs. Peugnet is in the enjoyment of excellent health, retains the charming personality of former years, and takes delight in the companionship of the children remaining to her.. Reared a Roman Catholic, she is exact in the discharge of her religious duties, and generous in the bestowment of unheralded benevolences,

Penn, Shadrach, journalist, was born near Frederick, Maryland, in 1790, and died in St. Louis, June 15, 1846. When he was quite young his parents removed to a farm in the interior of Kentucky, and there he grew up and Iearned the printer's trade. He began his editorial career at Georgetown, Kentucky, in 1809, and later served in the War of 1812, in the command of Colonel James Simrall. At the close of the war he engaged for a time in mercantile pursuits, but soon returned to journalism as editor of a Democratic paper in Kentucky. He is said to have been the first editor to predict that General Andrew Jack-

As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of St. Louis, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference (v. 3) (1899). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Peck, Charles Henry, manufacturer and a promoter of many of the most important industrial and financial enterprises of St. Louis, was born September 21, 1817, in New York City, and died in St. Louis, July 3, 1899. He obtained a liberal English education, and became an architect and builder. He came to St. Louis in 1838, and in the capacity of architect and builder contributed largely to the improvement and embellishment of the city. He built most of the government buildings in the old arsenal, and also the magazines in Jefferson Barracks. The city and country residences of the late Henry Shaw were built under his supervision, and he assisted also in laying out the first outlines of Shaw's Gardens. Previous to the Civil War he became president of the Pilot Knob Iron Company, and after the destruction of the works during the war, in company with James H. Lucas and John S. McCune, he purchased ground in Carondelet and established the first furnace built west of the Mississippi River to smelt Missouri Iron ores with luinois coal. In company with other gentlemen, he buUt the Vulcan Iron Works and Steel Rail Mill, and became a conspicuous figure among the iron manufacturers of the country. He was a member of the committee which met in Philadelphia in 1876 and organized the Bessemer Steel Association. He also aided in projecting the Missouri Pacific and other railroad enterprises. In 1847 became interested in the planing-mill business, building at that time, in company with his brother, a planingmill at the comer of Eighth Street and Park Avenue, and in 1866 he built what was then the largest planing-mill in the city. He was a director of the first Lindell Hotel Company, and when, at the beginning of the war, work on the hotel building was suspended for lack of means, he financiered the completion of the building, and then negotiated for its furnishing and occupation. He was actively interested in various banking and insurance companies. From the date of its organization he was a member of the Merchants' Exchange, and was one of the first trustees of Vandeventer Place, and also the last surviving member of the original board of trustees. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Rebecca Adams, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri (v. 5) (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.