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- Allen was a brakeman on the Rome & Oswego Railroad. In August 1871 he he fell from a train and had his left arm run over. It was amputated in Oswego. (Utica Daily Advertiser, August 31, 1871)
Allen Dwight Peck - December 10, 1849 - December 5, 1923. Plot P-18-A. Son of Ralph and Rebecca Hurd Peck. Husband of Rhoda Ann Whitney Peck (married about 1871) & Grace B. Porter Peck. [Note: Allen Peck was originally interred in Richland Cemetery. On April 23, 1930, he was re-interred in Pulaski Village Cemetery.] [Notes: Rhoda Peck died July 14, 1901 at Olean, New York; according to a small newspaper article, she was brought to Mexico, New York for burial. Rhoda is not listed in the cemetery records of Pulaski or Mexico, but her parents, Horace B. and Electa Whitney, are buried in Mexico Village Cemetery.]
Newspaper Obituary - Wednesday, December 12, 1923 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - A. D. Peck’s Earthly Career Ends - Allen Dwight Peck was born December 10, 1849, in a log cabin on the Peck road, Fox District, this town, the son of Ralph and Rebecca Hurd Peck. In 1869, at the age of twenty, he entered the employ of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad Company, beginning his first railroad work. Early in his railroad career, in 1871, he met with an accident in which he lost his left arm. In speaking of this accident the Oswego Press of that day, says “Peck is a young man esteemed by his employers for his soberness and faithful attention to duties.” After the recovery from his injuries the young man took up the study of telegraphy, and began work as a telegraph operator at the old Pulaski station. From this point in his early life his advancement in his railroad experience was rapid, and can be best followed, step-by-step, by reference to certain, excellent testimonials which are now treasured possessions of Mrs. Peck. An official of the New York O. & W. railroad, testified to his integrity and faithful performance of duty in the following words: “Mr. A. D. Peck has been employed by me as train dispatcher for several years, and leaves our employ at his request to accept a more lucrative position in Kentucky. I take pleasure in saying that he has always performed his duties faithfully, carefully and without censure, and I cheerfully recommend him as a true gentleman who is capable of filling any position in train service satisfactorily.” Later, his Kentucky employers in speaking of his two and a half years’ service as chief train dispatcher say of him: “A man of large and varied railroad experience, in his habits and painstaking fidelity to duty.” When he severed his connections with the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad one of his associates wrote him: “It is with regret that I learned that you are about to resign and sever your relation with this company, yet I congratulate you on your improved prospects in the position at your disposal. You have certainly commanded the respect, officially and socially, of all here, and your many friends will join with me in wishing you the best of success which we feel is assured.” From 1890 to 1907 Mr. Peck was with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Olean and Buffalo filling the positions of chief dispatcher and division operator. Ill health overtaking him he was forced to resign from railroad service. After a years’ inactivity he became restless and, with Mrs. Peck, entered the George Junior Republic at Freeville, as volunteer worker. Here he found out-door employment as assistant superintendent of the citizens, and endeared himself to all, and here won the title of “Uncle Happy.” To this day he is “Uncle Happy” to many of the boys and girls, now grown to manhood and womanhood, with whom he has kept in touch through the years. Upon the death of his old and esteemed friend, George H. Fuller, in July 1911, he was offered the position as manager of the local office of the Western Union Telegraph Company. When the Black River Telephone Company and the Western Union Telegraph Company consolidated their local headquarters he became manager, and there is much testimony to the faithful service he has rendered as such. From the Syracuse office of the W. U. T. Company, under date of April 14, 1923, comes the following words of praise: “Since January 1, 1923 we have been taking a speed of service as we check the various nonfunctional offices for errors. In reviewing the list we find Pulaski has recorded 100% of the business each month moved in less than fifteen minutes. This certainly is a fine showing and we wish to congratulate you.” The constant faithfulness to duty which so characterized Mr. Pecks’ early life marked his last days. He stuck to his post to the last. His last reports went out of the local office Saturday evening, December 1st, the work being accomplished by him with a great deal of effort. He closed his office with the last duty performed. A most severe attack came at two o'clock Sunday morning. Acute suffering was alleviated by the attending physician, Dr. Alvah G. Dunbar and nurse, Mrs. Florence J. Brown. The end came at 1:20 Wednesday afternoon. Besides his widow Mr. Peck is survived by a sister and several nephews and nieces. The funeral was held from his late home in Jefferson street. Rev. William MacLeod, pastor of the Congregational church, officiating. There were many beautiful floral tributes. The remains were taken to Richland where interment was made in Spring Brook cemetery.
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1849 - 1923 (73 years)