California Pioneer

George Peck was the son of George Peck & Anna Eliza Ide and he was married twice. First, the mother of his children, Harriet Allen, the daughter of David D Allen & Sarah Woolery; then to a girl almost 50 years his junior, Eva Anita Sweeney, the daughter of Goolsby Sweeney & Nancy James.

With Harriet he had 7 children - Mary, Frank, Nora, James, Georgia, and Alfred & Percy who died young.

courtesy of J - Find A Grave

Chico Record, Saturday, 24 Jun 1917

Peck, Charter Fireman, Dead. Came to Butte County in 1859; Joined Engine Co. No. 1 April 25, 1873.

George Peck, widely known pioneer of Butte county, and the last charter member of the Chico Volunteer Fire department, died at 7:30 last evening at his home on Fruitvale avenue. He was eight-four years old. His death was not unexpected, as he had been seriously ill since last January. The funeral services probably will be held at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning at the Fetters & Williams parlors. Interment will be made in Chico cemetery, beside the grave of his first wife, who passed away years ago. It is probable that the firemen of the city will accord him special honors. George Peck was born in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., February 25, 1833. In 1859 he drove an ox team across the plains, accompanied by his wife and small children. He arrived at Lovelock, Butte county, in September, 1859, the trip having taken five months. He mined at Lovelock until 1863, when he sold his interests and moved to Pine creek. After living there five years he moved to Chico, in April, 1867, and had resided here since. In the early days when freighting by team was at its height, he engaged in this business, and freighted goods from Chico Landing as far as Nevada, and even into Boise, Idaho, over the Humboldt road, which at that time was the entrance into California from the northwest. He was a charter member of the fire department, having joined Engine Company No. 1 April 25, 1873, with a life membership. His first wife, who was Harriet Allen, died twenty-six years ago, and after several years he married his second wife, who survives him, together with his children: Mrs. Georgia Petersen, Mrs. Nora Arnold, Mrs. Alice Mecum and J.A. Peck of Chico, and Frank E. Peck of La Connor, Wash. The latter was called to Chico the latter part of January by his father’s illness, and spent a few weeks with him. George Peck was widely known, especially in the early years. He was the sturdy type of pioneer and lived an honorable and upright life.

 
Chico Weekly Chronicle-Record, Saturday, 28 Feb 1891
Mrs. George Peck Dead. Yesterday morning at 5:30 o’clock the dark angel of death entered the residence of George Peck and bore hence the soul of his dearly beloved wife. Mrs. Peck had been sick but one week with that dread disease pneumonia, and her sudden death will be a great shock to her family and relatives. The deceased was 61 years of age and leaves a husband, two sons and three daughters besides ten brothers and sisters. Mrs. Peck was born in Canada and her maiden name was Allen. She came to Chico with her husband in early days and has resided here ever since. A large number of relatives and friends are left to mourn her death.

Daily Evening Bulletin, 1 April 1873
In Chico, March 27, 18873, Percy L, son of Geo and Harriet Peck, aged 17 months.