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 Wisconsin.

Early years

George Peck came in 1843 with his parents to Cold Springs in Wisconsin. There he attended the local schools. He then worked in the print media. He was co-owner of the newspaper " Watertown Republican ". Later he worked for the " Wisconsin State Journal " in Madison. Between 1863 and 1865 he participated as a cavalryman in the Civil War. After the war, Peck was dedicated again with the press. In 1871 he became editor of the newspaper " LaCrosse Democrat " and in 1874 he founded the newspaper "The Sun", which he in 1878 after moving to Milwaukee in " Peck 's Sun" renamed. In this newspaper he published humorous stories including his well-known in the former America " Peck's Bad Boys " - stories that were later even partially filmed.

Political career

Peck was a member of the Democratic Party. In 1867 he was Treasurer of the City of Ripon and 1873 he was chief of police in La Crosse. He was also employed in the administration of the State Senate. In 1890, Peck was elected mayor of Milwaukee. Since he was elected but shortly thereafter became the new governor of his state, he could not complete his term as mayor.

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

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