The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-05-03
OBITUARY.


years, and pursuing his profession up to
the close of his life, and when last seen
| on the street on Saturday apparently in
usual health, Gen. Perry has been sud-
denly removed from earthly activities,
and his death early on Sunday morning
was sad surprise.
Though born at Portsmouth, N. H.,
he at an early age, settled in Oxford,
then known as Craigie's Mills, where
for the major part of his life he con-
tinued his home. His first public appear
ance was as deputy sheriff of Oxford
county, but not finding the duties of thi
office congenial, and having q decided
taste for the law, which good academic
education at the Maine Wesleyan Semi
nary, Kent's Hill, had imulatei, he
was admitted to tho bar in 1874 and at
ones entered upon successful practice.
Being a man of the people and an
active Democrat, his personal friends
had previo usly designated him to repre-
sent his townsinen in the Legislature. in
which ne served in 1889. in 1642 and 1S43.
In 1S46 anu 1847 he was elected to repre-
sent the county in the Ssnate. His prac-
tical knowledge accompanied by good
sense and familiar acquaintance with
mon and the wants Of the state, gave
him an influential position and made
him useful and conspicuous leader.
: When the well-knewn split in the
Democratic party occurred resulting in
the formation of the Republican party,
he allied himself with Arson p. Morrill,,
and his friends, and was one OF the most
earnest and conspicuous champions of
prohibition. When Mr.. Hamlin severed
his relations with the Democratic party,
Gen. Perry. like many Others, followed
in the same line, and ever since was one
of the most earnest and influential
friandssof the former.
He was twice elected r representative to
Congress, serving from December 5. 1855
to March 8, 1857, and from December 5,
1859 to March 8, 1861. He was member
of the Peace Congress, = which met in
Washington in the winter lS60-61,
though from the first he believed COM
promise with the South impossible. His
interest in public questions at an event.
full period found forcible expression in
the Oxford Democrat, with which he
was identified as editor for dozen
years. He served in the executive ooun-
Gil Of the state during the later years of
the civil war. For number of years
past he has been one of the trustees of
the State Reform school and secretary of
the board.
Iseligiously, Gen. Perry was warmly
attached to the Methodist church and
was greatly esteemed far and wide as
one of it's most distinguished leaders.
He was closely identified with itgeduca-
tional interests at Kent's Hill, long
trustee and treasurer of the institution.
His local membership was with the
Chestnut street church in this city.
.. While resident of Oxford county he
had quite 1ondness for military life,
aud it was his aptitude therein which
gave him promotion to the rank of
major general in the state militia and
secured for him the title he generally
bore. After closing his public career at
and resumed tho practice of his profess
sion with honorable success. But lie
never lost his love for Oxford county,
nor did his people lose theirs for him.
In the latter years of his life he con-
tinued frequently to use his fertile and
vigorous pen. and having an excellent
memory and being unusually we'll quail
Of nd cat
ed.with the most stirring history of state
and nation, his "reminiscences were
more than of ordinary interest, as read
ers Of the PRESS have had good oppor-
tunity to know.
Gen. Perry was loyal to his convictions
preston to them whether by pen or
speech. But with his robust integrity
and hate Of shams he possessed genial
nature, and never allowed differences
of opinion to detract from his friend
ships which were strong and numer-
pleasant it is to remember that he was
one of the few who make the most of
life's opportunities, and whose long
record can be contemplated as one of the
worthiest and best of those who have
served our state and nation with honor
and usefulness.
In 1874 he married Miss Sarah Adams
Norton Allen, whose name shows her
connection with some of the Oldest and
most distinguished of New England
families. She survives him at the age
of 81, and he leaves one son. Edwin
Allen Perry, long connected with the Bos-
ton Herald. His only other child, Mary
Constantia, died in this city In 1891.
Gen. Perry's funeral will take place at
his former residence 361 Cumberland
street. at 2 O'Clock on Tuesday after.
noon. The interlnent will be In Ever
green cemetery.
Hon. Charles Fl. Chase.
Captain Charles Fl. Chase died Satur
day morning Mt his residence, 1O4 Frank.
lin street. He has been in failing health
for long time and for some days has