Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-05-11
JOHN !. PERRY.

Gen. John ]. Perry, who died ct his
home 10 Portland May I'd, 1t the ripe age
Of 50 years, was one Of the best known
OF the family Of "0xford Bears" He
was born at Portsmouth, N. H., but at
an early age, settled in Oxford, then
known as Craigie's Mills, where for the
major part Of his life he continued his
home. His frat public appearance was
as deputy sheriff OF Oxford County, but
not finding the duties Of this Office con-
genial, and having decided taste for the
law, which good academic education at
the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, kent's
Hin, had stimulated, he was admitted to
the bar In 1874 and at once entered upon
a successful practice.
Being man Of the people and an
active Democrat, his personal friends
had previously designated him to repre-
sent his towusmen In the legislature, In
which he served In 1889, Ia 1912 and 1913.
In 1916 and lsi7 he was elected to repre-
sent the county in the senate. His prac-
ticsl know ledge accompanied by good
sense and familiar acquaintance with
him an influential position and made
men and the wants OF the state, gave
him a useful and conspicuous leader.
When the well-known 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
friends of the former.
He was twice elected representative to
congress, serving from Dec. >. 1855, to
March 3, 1857, and from Dec. 3, 1889, to
March 3, 1861. He was a member Of
the "Peace Congress" which met in
Washington in the winter Of 1901,
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 a dozen
years. lie served in the executive coun-
ell OF the state during the later years OF
the civil war. For a number of years
past he has been one OF the trustees OF
the state reform school and secretary Of
the board.
Religiously. Gen. Perry was warmly
attached 20 the Methodist church aud
was greatly esteemed far and wide as
one Of its most distinguished leaders.
He was closely identified with It's educa-
tional interests at ken,'s Hin, long
trustee and treasurer Of the Institution.
His local membership was with the
Chestnut Street church In Portland.
While resident OF Oxford County he
had quite a fondness for military lie,
and il 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
oxford he removed 10 Portland and ro-
sumed the practice OF his profession
with honorable success. But he never
lost his love for Oxford County, nor did
his people lose theirs for him.
la the latter years OF his life he con-
tinued frequently TO use his fertile and
vigorous pen. and having an excellent
memory aud being unusually well qusli-
fled to speak OF men and politics co.,
uected with the most stirring history OF
state aud nation, his "reminiscences were
Of more than ordinary interest.
Gen Perry was loyal TO his convictions
on all subjects and fearless In giving
expires sion TO them whether BY pen or
speech. But with his robust integrity
aud hste OF shsms he possessed genial
nature, and never allowed differences OF
opinio 10 detract from his friendships
which were strong and numerous. Sad
il is to part with him, but pleasant IL Is
10 remember that he was one OF the few
who make the most Of life's opportu-
mites, and whose long record can be con-
templs ted as one of the worthiest and
best OF those who have served our state
and nstion with honor and usefulness.
In l>li 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. snd he leaves one son, Edwin
Allen Perry, long connected with the
Boston Herald. His only other child,
Mary Constants, died in Portland In
1881.