p. 17 | Elder C. E. Peckover by A. T. ROBINSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1916

Elder C. E. Peckover

By A. T. ROBINSON

CLARENCE EDWIN PECKOVER was born in Valley Center, Kans., Dec. 7, 1877. Later his family moved to Ottawa, where for several years he was privileged to attend the church school taught by Elder L. D. Santee and others.

At the age of fourteen years he left the care and protection of a Christian home, and entered the sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich., where he spent the greater part of six years, first as call boy, and later as an assistant in the business office.

During the last year at Battle Creek he was converted, and at once his heart turned toward the Lord's work. In the spring of 1898 he was one of a company who went to Kentucky to engage in the book work. That autumn he returned to Kansas, where he did city mission work for a year. In September, 1899, he became a student in Union College, preparatory to entering the ministry in the Kansas Conference, where he labored until 1904, when he was asked by the Foreign Mission Board to take up work on the Isthmus of Panama. He was soon stricken with malarial fever, which continued unremittingly for nearly a year, and seriously undermined his health. He returned to Kansas in 1906, where he gradually regained a good degree of health. Having a love for the work and people of Panama, and believing that with better knowledge, better conditions, and regained health, he could serve in that field, he wished to return; whereupon the Mission Board recommended him to Jamaica, a more healthful location.

With his family he went to Jamaica in November, 1909, where in a few weeks it became evident that the dread disease which caused his death was at work. Again he was compelled to lay down his chosen work, and almost crushed by disappointment, he returned to America. Thinking to provide a home and support for his family, he filed on a homestead at Garland, Wyo.; but his physical weakness increased, and he was forced to seek a milder climate. All efforts, however, seemed of no avail, and in July, 1912, he brought his family to Boulder, where he expected soon to give up the battle for life. But God graciously added four more years of life with his family, till in answer to his own prayer that he might pass peacefully away, he lay down in death's sleep without a struggle, at 9:35 Tuesday night, June 27, 1916, confidently awaiting the call of the Life-giver in the resurrection morning.

For him it can be truly said, “He giveth his beloved sleep.” He died with a bright hope of a life where there shall be no more pain or tears, and where he shall see Jesus, whom he loved and served.

He loved home and his family. As a husband he was above reproach. He was adored by his two little girls, who sorely feel the loss of a loving father.

In every circumstance of life he manifested those noble traits that characterize a Christian. In business he was strictly honest. In his association with his fellow men he was charitable. In his illness he was patient and uncomplaining. In death he was triumphant. He leaves, besides his wife and children, a father and one brother in Kansas, two sisters—one in Canada, and one, the wife of J. W. Westphal, in South America.

The funeral service was held in the Seventh-day Adventist church, on Sabbath afternoon, July 1. There was a large attendance of the church members. The service was conducted by the writer, assisted by Elder T. B. Westbrook.

A. T. ROBINSON.