George W. Peck

George Wilbur Peck

George Wilbur Peck (born September 28, 1840 in Henderson , Jefferson County , New York , †  April 16, 1916 in Milwaukee , Wisconsin ) was an American politician and from 1891 to 1895 the 17th  governor of the state of Wisconsin.

Early years

George Peck came to Cold Springs , Wisconsin with his parents in 1843 . There he attended the local schools. Then he worked in the press. He was a co-owner of the Watertown Republican newspaper. He later worked for the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison . Between 1863 and 1865 he took part in the civil war as a cavalryman . After the war, Peck returned to the press. In 1871 he became editor of the newspaper "LaCrosse Democrat" and in 1874 he founded the newspaper "The Sun", which he renamed "Peck's Sun" in 1878 after moving to Milwaukee. In this newspaper he also published humorous stories including his "Pecks Bad Boys" stories, which were very well known in America at the time, and some of which were later even filmed.

Political career

Peck was a member of the Democratic Party . In 1867 he became treasurer of the city of Ripon and in 1873 he was police chief of La Crosse . He was also employed in the administration of the State Senate . In 1890, Peck was elected Mayor of Milwaukee . However, since he was elected the new governor of his state shortly afterwards, he could not end his term as mayor.

Peck took up his new post on January 5, 1891. After re-election in 1892, he could remain in office until January 7, 1895. During this time, budget redistribution ( reapportionment ) was a political focus in Wisconsin. Another important issue was a dispute between the Democratic-ruled government or parliament and the courts, which often voted against government proposals. In 1894, Peck failed his attempt to be elected to a third term. With a 37.9 percent share of the vote, he was clearly defeated by Republican William H. Upham .

After the end of his tenure, Peck returned to his private interests. In 1904 he again applied unsuccessfully for a return to the office of governor; this time he was defeated by incumbent Robert M. La Follette with 39.2 percent of the vote . He spent the rest of his life in Milwaukee. He died of complications from kidney disease in 1916 and was buried in Forest Home Cemetery . George Peck was married to Francena Rowley, with whom he had two children.

Web links

• George W. Peck in the database of the National Governors Association (English)
• George W. Peck in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• Wisconsin Historical Society