Porter Perrin's biography, St Johns, Clinton County, Michigan Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY MICHIGAN, 1906 CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN Page 7 Photo Available: Porter K. Perrin PORTER K. PERRIN As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful effort ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of Porter K. Perrin, of St. Johns. To him there came the attainment of distinguished honors and successes, but it was not his political prominence nor his prosperity that gained him the place which he occupied in the hearts of his fellowmen, but a character in which the strongest and most commendable virtues were daily practiced, a spirit of loving helpfulness and kindliness, and a devotion of all that was true and noble in all man's relations with his fellowmen. He left behind him a name that will be honored as long as memory remains to those with whom he was associated in any relation. A native of Vermont, Porter K. Perrin was born in the town of Berlin, September 13, 1833, and his early common-school education was supplemented by an academic course, subsequent to which time he entered the Law University of Albany, New York, from which he was graduated in the class of 1857. He was admitted to practice in the courts of New York and Albany and in the courts of Indianapolis, Indiana, removing to the latter city in 1858. He also resided for some time at Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he came to Michigan in August, 1860. He was admitted to practice in the courts of this state at St. Johns and in the United States courts at Detroit. From September 13, 1861, until July 17, 1863, he was editor and part owner of the Clinton Republican. Hearing his country's call for aid, he sold the paper to its former proprietor, H. S. Hilton, and putting aside all business and personal interests, responded to the call, enlisting as a member of Company I, Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry upon its organization. This was in 1863 and he was commissioned first lieutenant on the 20th of December, with which rank he was mustered in on the 30th of December, 1863. On the 29th of February, 1864, he was commissioned captain of the First Company of Sharpshooters, being mustered in as such on the 1st of March, following, and on the 1st of April, 1864, was commissioned major of the Second Michigan Infantry, thus serving until honorably discharged on account of disability November 23, 1864. The same loyalty which was manifested in all life's relations was displayed by him in his military service. As a citizen he was ever public-spirited and had the welfare and improvement of county, state and nation at heart. Following his discharge Mr. Perrin returned to St. Johns and resumed the practice of law. In the early days of his connection with the Michigan bar he was known as a trial lawyer, frequently appearing before court or jury, but in later years he retired from active practice in the courts to give his attention to other, but no less important, departments of law work. In 1869 he was chosen probate judge of Clinton County and filled the office for four years. He was a wise counselor, thoroughly versed in the principles of jurisprudence. When death claimed him the members of the Clinton County bar met to pay a last tribute of respect to his memory and speaking on this occasion E. H. Lyon said: "In the capacity of administrator, in the handling of estates, and in acting as guardian and as trustee for minors and mentally incompetent persons and trustee of said estates, I believe I am fairly entitled to say that in his handling and care of such matters no one could have done it better nor could have done it in a fairer manner or in a more satisfactory manner, and accomplished better results than the deceased. I recollect that a little while ago in a trial that was had in this court and in this room before your honor in the matter of the estate of Thomas B. McKee, a mentally incompetent person, that the deceased as brought into court as a witness in the case and disclosed to the court, I believe, to the astonishment and to the agreeable surprise both of the court and the counsel on both sides that he took that estate-and I speak of this merely because it is an illustration of the kind of work that he was doing-he took that estate when it consisted of an old watch, an old horse, and a cart that was broken down, and in a few years, with the aid of a pension that the man was receiving he turned over to him an estate of upward of two thousand dollars and had procured for him a good substantial livelihood covering the period. The one peculiarity about it that I recollect, and I presume your Honor will recollect, was that during that time the charge for his services in looking after and caring for the man's estate was almost nominal, practically nominal. I only speak of that as one illustration of what I believe every attorney at this bar knows has been the frequent and constant habit of Mr. Perrin. "During the years that any or all of us have known him he has been rigidly economical, just as careful of the expenditure and the preservation of the expenditure and the preservation of the property of others as he would be with his own, and at the conclusion of his practice it has been the almost invariable practice that he has left the estate, the property, the business in his hands in far better shape than it was when he received it, and almost universally his acts and his actions in those respects have been entirely satisfactory. His model has been a good example. His conduct toward other members of the bar has been universally kind." On the same occasion John G. Patterson speaking of Mr. Perrin said: "I have known Mr. Perrin practically all my life time and I think I can truthfully say that the expressions that have been made in regard to him can be couched for by all. I think throughout the county of Clinton that there isn't a man in either the legal or any other profession that is so commonly spoken of as being one of the best and most honorable and truthful men of this county. He has practically been, you might say, throughout this county a man who enjoyed the greatest degree of honor and respect, and it has been the general feeling throughout the entire community that when one sought counsel from the Perrins their advice could be relied upon. I have known him a long time, and I can not refrain from saying that he has always been one of the foremost men of this county, and so far as our profession is concerned I believe he has always reflected credit upon it as a standard of honesty, integrity and fair dealing." Not alone by reason of his able legal services was Mr. Perrin widely and favorably known for in other departments of activity his efforts were equally honorable and beneficial. He was United States commissioner for about six and a half years and in 1877-8 represented his district in the state senate. In fact in the early history of Clinton County he was a prominent figure in local politics, frequently taking the stump in the interest of his party. As a public speaker he was both temperate and logical, his fairness and courteous treatment of an opponent in debate winning him both friends and votes He was one of those who labored zealously for the building of the present county courthouse in 1870, when an expenditure of forty-five thousand dollars was looked upon as a large sum of money by the residents of the outlying townships. Realizing the great need of this public improvement, he stumped the county at his own expense and was rewarded for his labor by the necessary appropriation being made. As state senator he was conscientious member of the upper house, using his influence at all times for the public good. Legislation in the interests of corporations, companies or individuals, if drafted for the purpose of undue advantage or private gain, he vigorously opposed. He counseled against extravagant appropriation of money for public officials. It was with pride that he spoke of the passage of every bill of which he was the author, becoming a law. Extending his efforts to other business lines Porter K. Perrin was for twelve years the president of the State Bank of St. Johns and for five years was president of the Durand Land Company. To these interests he brought keen discernment, sound judgment and an irreproachable business integrity which ever characterized him and the success of both corporations was attributable in large measure to his efforts and wise counsel. At a regular board meeting of the directors of the State Bank of St. Johns held under date of April 6, 1903, J. W. Fitzgerald offered the following resolutions upon the death of Porter K. Perrin, which were adopted: "Whereas, In the Providence of Almighty God, our esteemed fellow citizen and president of the State Bank of St. Johns, Porter K. Perrin has been called from this life to life eternal, the board of directors of this bank in common with the grief stricken family, surviving relatives and friends and the community at large, where he was so well and favorably known and respected, mourn his loss. Therefore be it resolved that in the death of Porter K. Perrin, the wife has lost a devoted husband, the family a tender and indulgent father, the community an honest, upright citizen and this board an intelligent and capable official, genial and pleasant as a presiding officer, always modest and courteous among those with whom he was associated in this body, wearing all honors that came to him as the bank's president with becoming grace, he won our admiration and commanded our respect by the fairness and justness with which he presided over our deliberations, taking greater pleasure in bestowing praise upon others if merited than wishing even the faintest allusion of a compliment for himself. Conservative and methodical in all things, charitable toward associates for all errors and missteps, he never forgot that to err is human, while forgiveness is a divine attribute-a beacon light from God to man. As a financier his heart and brain was in his work and the State Bank of St. Johns, of which he was president for so many years, was his watchful solicitude and pride. Gone in the fullness of his manhood, in the strength of his usefulness, in the day of his best judgment and ripest thought, his dearest solicitude the family he loved, acknowledging always his fellowman his friend, he lived in the sunlight of God a clean, upright, honorable life without blemish or stain. As an evidence of his kindly feeling toward the members of this board but a few hours before death summons came, just as he was nearing life's close, but a step from the home and loved ones on this side into the great unknown beyond, he signified a wish that his earthly remains be borne to their final resting place by his old associates in the bank. A good man has gone from among us. Let us cherish his memory and endeavor to profit by the lessons he taught us while living-patience, forbearance, fortitude and faith. "Resolved, that these resolutions be spread upon the record book of the bank, and that a copy suitably engrossed be forwarded to the family." While Porter K. Perrin won honors in political life, success in business and esteem at all times and under all relations, his best traits of character were reserved for his family. He was pre-eminently a man of domestic tastes and the relations of his home life were largely ideal. On the 2d of August, 1866, he was united in marriage, in Olivet Michigan, to Miss Ella M. Sessions, a daughter of the Rev. Samuel Sessions, at that time a resident of Olivet. Five children were born unto them, three of whom reached adult age: Archer Merle Perrin, the eldest, now of Detroit Inez C. Perrin, who was married April 30, 1902, to Lieutenant Willis B. Day, of the United States Navy; and Vive Bird Perrin, of Detroit. In 1895 he took up his residence in Detroit but maintained his business connections with St. Johns. He died in the former city on the 20th of March, 1903, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at St. Johns, where the funeral services were held. In a review of the life record of Mr. Perrin it is noticeable that there are many elements of his life that stand forth as distinguishing characteristics-those which constitute the real character of the man. In the history of one who has been an active factor in general affairs we are apt to consider most his business career. Judged in this light Mr. Perrin was a success, advancing from comparative obscurity to an eminent place as a lawyer, legislator and financier, but he regarded business not as an ultimate object but merely as a means to an end-the avenue which enabled him to do service to his fellowmen. Incident after incident could be cited of his unselfish purpose and helpful spirit in his business life, and at all times he manifested due and conscientious regard for his obligations to those with whom he was brought in contact. In the church he was a helpful factor and in his life exemplified the true Christian spirit. He stood firm in support of whatever he believed to be right and he had a deep and abiding charity for others and was ever willing to extend a helping hand to those who needed moral assistance or material aid. The people who knew him entertained for him the warmest respect. There were possibly mistakes in his life-for what life is free form such-but they were matters of judgment rather than of the heart. He used his talents wisely and well and it may be said of him as it was of another His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him, that nature might stand up And say to all the world, this was a man."