Supposed to have been suffering from temporary insanity due to advanced age, Joshua S. Peckham, more familiarly known as “Uncle Josh,” took his own life Thursday afternoon of last week at his farm home in the precinct that bears his name, six miles southeast of Brady. Taking his army musket, which he carried in the Civil War, he placed it over his heart, and using his cane to touch the trigger, sent his soul to the life eternal. Death was instantaneous.

The funeral was held Sunday and by reason of the deceased being so well and favorably known, was very largely attended.

Mr. Peckham came to Lincoln County in 1879 and located on government land. He succeeded well, and during the intervening years had accumulated about 3,000 acres, much of it farm land. A year or so ago he made a division of the land among his sons and a young man who had made his home with him. His wife died about a year ago and since then he had brooded considerably.

He was eighty-four years of age, and was the son of an English lord. He leaves three sons, Herman, who lives just south of Brady, Fremont who lives in Peckham precinct, and Elmer who is now in California.

The North Platte Semi-Weekly Tribune. Tuesday, 10 April, 1917. Page 1.

Joshua S. Peckham was born in Chautauqua County, New York, February 11th, 1833, and died at his home near Gothenburg, Nebr., on April 5, 1917, aged eighty-four years, one month and twenty-four days.

He leaves to mourn his death: three sons, Charles Fremont Peckham of Gothenburg, Nebr., Herman K. Peckham of Brady, Neb., Elmer L. Peckham of Haig, Neb.; seven grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Polly Atkinson of Pawnee City, Nebr., and a host of friends.

In 1850 Mr. Peckham moved with his parents to Green County, Wis. He was married to Miss Ann Atkinson in 1856 and moved to Crawford County, Wis., where to this union were born five sons and one daughter. The daughter, Jennie, and also an adopted daughter, Jessie Edwards, died in 1866; a son, Walter R., died in 1871; and a son, Oscar L., in 1889.

He served his country in the Civil War in Co. F, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry.

In 1879, Mr. Peckham with his beloved wife and four sons moved to Nebraska and settled on a homestead southwest of Gothenburg in Lincoln County, where he has since lived.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Atack at the Banner M. E. Church Sunday, April 9th, at 2 o’clock p.m., and his remains were laid to rest by the side of those of his wife in Peckham cemetery.

Those attending the funeral from a distance were Geo. Peckham and Elmer Brewer of Albany, Wis., Chas Atkinson of Pawnee City, Neb., Thos C. Northey of Crook, Colo., and John Conover and family of Sutherland, Neb.

By the death of Mr. Peckham, known to all as “Uncle Josh,” this community loses one of its oldest and most respected citizens. He was honest and honorable in his business dealings and generous to his family, friends and neighbors. He was public spirited and always ready to contribute time and money to the moral and social uplift of his community.

During the hardships of early days in Western Nebraska he helped many a poor person or family. None that were worthy were ever turned away in need without assistance. Many, now in comfortable circumstances, can look back with a feeling of gratitude to the time when “Uncle Josh,” as he was affectionately called, helped them in the time of need. He was a friend to all, rich and poor.

His wife, Mrs. Ann Peckham, known and loved by the whole community as “Aunt Ann,” passed away on June 15th, 1916. No one but those who knew the love and affection of this old couple after sixty years of happy married life, can realize this loss to Mr. Peckham. Relatives and friends did all they could do to care for and comfort him, but from the day of her death he continued to fail. He missed the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that was forever silent. He became despondent and in a note written to the family found after his death he said: “I can never be well again. An old man has a terrible feeling all the time. Dear darlings, do not ask me to stay. Good Bye.” Mr. Peckham seldom complained. No one knew his physical and mental suffering and anguish.

The Gothenburg Times. Thursday, 12 April, 1917. Page 9.