The Portland daily press., 1886-04-12
EIhridee Gerry.

Hon. Elbridge Gerry died in this city from
ali attack of heart disease, Saturday after
noon, at o'clock. Mr.. Gerry had been an
invalid and great sufferer for many years
from other diseases, but his sudden death
was caused Immediately by heart spasm.
He had been much improved of late. and
Mrs. Gerry was in Portsmouth at the time.
She returned Saturday night.
Mr. Gerry was the youngest son Of Peter
and Mary Gerry, and was born in Water
ford, Oxford county, in the then province OF
Maine, Dee g. 1873 His father was native
OF Harvard, Mass, a pioneer emlgrant to
this State, who married Miss Mary Cutler of
Sudbury, Mass, and for several years served
III our State Legislature. He was thrifty,
laborious man, an ardent Methodist, and one
OF the four persons to erect the hrst Metho-
dist church in Waterford.
Elbridge remained at home until he was
sixteen years old, attending the common
schools. At that age he had accumulated
several hundred dollars by his careful habits,
and with this money he entered Bridgton
Academy, and taught school in the winter
months. Here he acquired the habits OF
public speaking, in the debates with his fell
low students. 1t is related of him that the
people of Waterford held a meeting to dis
cuss the question whether they should give
their patronage exclusively to the members
OF the temperance society. No one could be
procured to speak in opposition until young
Gerry reluctantly came forward and spoke
with such logical force and eloquence that
spite of the fact all the leading men were ar
rayed against him, he gained the victory.
In 1887, Mr. Gerry read law with Hon. Ste
phen Emery, and in June, 1889, entered on
its practice in Waterford He soon gained a
large and lucrative clientele. In January,
1910, he was elected clerk of the House in
this State, and in 1S41 U. S. Commissioner
in Bankruptcy. In 1912, Gov. Fairfield ap-
pointed him. and in 1843 the people elected
him to the office of County Attorney. In
1916 he resigned the office as he had been
elected to the House of Representatives In
the House with him were Hon. William Pitt
Fessenden, Phineas Barnes Z. Wilder Far
ley, and Mr.. Howe. Mr. Gerry took high
rank at once. His speech on the admission
of Texas, the series of resolutions reported
by him as chairman Of the committee on the
Dorr rebellion in Rhode Island, and his ar
guments on the Atlantic & st. Lawrence
railroad charter, all bore testimony to his
ability. At this session he was elected
speaker pro tenn.
In 1S4S, he was elected member of the
31st Congress, from the First Congressional
District of Maine. During his service the
question of slavery tinged every issue, and
in one of his speeches he spoke denouncing
the institution, but took his stand on the
constitution, and believed the people of the
territories should decide whether to have
slavery in their borders or not. He was also
strong supporter of the motion for the re-
duction of postage. At the close of his term
he declined a denomination, returned to
Waterford, and soon after-in 1S54-removed
to Portland, where, after six years active
work at his profession, his health broke
down and he retired from active practice.
AS public speaker, Mr.. Gerry was bold,
aggressive, argumentatiye. When young,
before illness seized him, he was very hand
some, of tall, straight figure, and great ner-
vouS force His cultivated taste for litera-
ture, which began in early life, and which
he retained, aided him in all his career, and
sweetened and mellowed the weary hours of
long and painful illness. AS writer he
was terse and logical, and as lawyer good
advocate, with an excellent knowledge of
constitutional and common law. Socially he
was very genial and greatly attached to his
friends.
Mr.. Gerry was married Nov. %, 1849, to
Miss Anna st. Clair Jenness, of Portsmouth,
N. H., by whom there are three children,
Mrs. Alice Patterson of Baltimore, Col. Ell
bridge Gerry, U. S. Vice Consul at Havre,
France, and Miss Bessie, who resides at