The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-06-27
JAMES NJ. PERRY,
BARRE'S OLDEST
MERCHANT, DEAD
Had Been in Business in This City Since
ls6o--Passed Away at His Home
Early This Morning.

The death of James Mckenzie Perry,
d long time resident of Barre and the
oldest merchant in the city, occurred at
his home, 81 Elm street, this morning at
6: 80 o'clock, the end following general
breakdown that in turn resulted from
a partial stroke of paralysis suffered
three years ago, from which he never
fully recovered. Mr.. Perry had not been
in good health for many years.
He was born in Plainfeld February
%, 1898, the son of Daniel A. Perry and
Dilcena tFreemanl Perry, and was
therefore in his seventy fifth year. His
boyhood was passed on the old Perry
homestead in Plainfield and his time
was divided between labor on the farm
and attendance at the town schools and
at Barre academy. At the age OF seven
teen years, Mr. Perry united with the
Baptist church in his native town, and
at the time of his death he was one OF
the two surviving members OF the enroll
ment at the Plainfieid church. Although
he desired that his name be retained on
the rolls Of the first church with which
he affiliated he became an active and
loyal adherent OF the First Baptist
church in this city.
AT the age of twenty-one, Mr.. Perry
began his mercantile career in Barre
il the old scheckered" building, so called,
on the site Of the new Aldrieh building.
He was engaged by the late bernard F..
Aidrieh. and II was there that he obs
tanned his excellent schooling for bnsis
ness in the years that followed. In
1854. he returned to Plainfield, where
he engaged in trade for four years. At
the end OF this period, he returned to
Barre and purchased what was then
known as the Phillips store. He remained
in business at that stand during the
remaining forty-four years Of his mer
camille career. and it was here that he
established the foundation OF one OF
the reliable business establishments OF
the city.
Mr.. Perry was married February 10,
1859. to Miss Alma II. Martin Of Barre,
by whom he is survived. He also leaves
a daughter and three sons, as follows:
Mrs. ]. G. More. j. Frank Perry, Carl
NJ. Perry and Dean III. Perry. Two
brothers, William A. Perry of Barre
and Theron c. Perry. are left, and
surviving also are three grandchildren,
James NJ. and Arthur Perry, sons Of
Mr. and Mrs. y, Frank Perry, and Ruth
p. More. daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. y. G.
More. Several nephews and nieces also
reside in Barre and Plainield.
In all matters pertaining TO the vel
fare OF the city Mr.. Perry retained a
deep and abiding interest to the last.
He lived in a period that witnessed the
of Barre from a small
village to fair-sized city. In 1890, he
represented the town in the legislature,
and he was one OF the original trustees
of the Alarich library trust fund and
had served on the board since the fund
was established. In the old village cor
he was for long time chair
man of the board OF village trustees.
For twenty-five years, Mr.. Perry was
one of the directors OF the National
Bank of Barre. and he was the first
president of the Barre Savings bank. !
In the latter capacity he served for ten
years. until compelled by impaired health |
to retire.
The deceased was a prominent figure !
in the fraternal life of the city, being |
A charter member of Hiawatha lodge, |
NO. w. 1. ". ". r anu was StiipiltN VII
The membership registers of Barre lodge, I
Y. T.. O. p, Barre lodge, Knights OF
Honor, Granite lodge, No. 80, F. and
A. NJ. Granite chapter, No 26, r. A. NJ,
and st. Aldemar commandery, No. Ill
knights Templar
The funeral will be held at the First i
Baptist church Saturday afternoon at
, o'clock. the pastor, Rev. George H.
Holt. officiating. The services at the
,hurch viii be preceded by prayers at
he house at 1880 o'clock. The burial /
will take place in the family lot at
cemetery.