BIOGRAPHY: Timothy Perry; Brooklyn, Kings co., NY
surname: Perry, Stearns, Horton

submitted by W. David Samuelsen
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A HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME 
BY PETER ROSS, LL. D. 
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY NEW YORK AND CHICAGO
COPYRIGHT. 1902

TIMOTHY PERRY

     Timothy Perry, who belongs to the oldest law firm in the city of
Brooklyn, where the original founders are still living and practicing, is a
son of Chauncy Perry, and was born at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, on the 7th
of November, 1820. The name is of Scotch-Welsh origin and the earliest
representative of the family in America located near Boston. Massachusetts, at
an early period in the colonial development of this country. The paternal
grandfather of Mr. Perry bore the name of John Perry. He lived and died in
Rindge, New Hampshire, where he was a prosperous farmer. Isaac Stearns, the
maternal grandfather of our subject, resided at Ashburnham, Massachusetts, and
took an active part in the battle of Bunker Hill as a sergeant. Both he and
his brother, William Stearns, saw much service in the war of the Revolution,
valiantly aiding the colonists in their struggle for independence.

     Chauncy Perry, the father of our subject, resided for many years in New
Ipswich, New Hampshire, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He followed
farming as a life work and was recognized as one of the solid men of his
community, serving as selectman of his town. He was a gentleman of strong
native mental powers who never compromised wrong or sacrificed principle for
policy; his honesty was proverbial, and at all times and in every relation of
life he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was
associated. He had not an abundance of this world's goods, but he had a just
appreciation of the value of character and of education. and he did all in his
power to provide his children with good school privileges, that they might be
privileges, fitted for life's practical and responsible duties He had a family
of five sons, three of whom became ministers of the Congregational church,
while the other two, Chauncy and Timothy, constitute the well known law firm
of C. & T. Perry, of Brooklyn. The father's work and counsel is manifest in
the lives of his children. The mother bore the maiden name of Abigail Stearns,
and her tender care and love in the little New Hampshire home also had marked
influence over her sons.

     Timothy Perry, the youngest of the five brothers obtained his elementary
education in the district schools and afterward entered the New Ipswich
Academy, then one of the most popular and successful institutions of the kind
In New Hampshire For several years he engaged in teaching during the winter
months, while in the summer seasons he worked upon his father's farm. For two
years he was teacher of mathematics and natural science in the New Ipswich
Academy, but at the earnest solicitation of his brother Chauncy he determined
to prepare for the practice of law. The year previously the elder brother had
opened an office in Green Point, now part of the borough of Brooklyn, and
making his way hither Timothy Perry became a student under his brother's
directions, and in April, 1857, he was admitted to the bar. In May, following,
he entered into partnership with his brother in the practice of law, and from
the beginning the business relations between them have proved mutually
profitable and pleasant. No dreary novitiate awaited this firm, which soon
took high rank among the leading lawyers of Kings county. Although engaged in
the general practice of law, for a long time the firm has made a specialty of
the examination of titles to real estate, in which department it takes first
rank.

     When Green Point, upon its consolidation with Brooklyn, became the
seventeenth ward of the city, Timothy Perry was chosen to act as alderman of
the ward and filled that position in the common council from 1858 until 1863.
That period embraced the first three years of the Civil war, and the council
undertook to furnish volunteers and to aid the draft by assisting the families
of all who entered the service of their country. Mr. Perry took an active part
in this undertaking and was a member of the Citizens' Aid Association of the
seventeenth ward, which furnished a large number of volunteers. From 1863
until 1870 he was a member of the Brooklyn board of education, and in 1882 was
appointed a member of the same board by Mayor Low, but resigned the following
year in order to accept the position of a member of the board of elections of
the city of Brooklyn. He continued to act as president of the latter board
from 1883 until 1890. Closely identified with the growth of his section of the
municipality, his influence has been felt in all progressive movements. He has
been trustee and vice-president of the Mechanics & Traders Bank of Brooklyn
since 1870, and president of the Green Point Savings Bank since 1880. A
leading factor in the control of these institutions, his safe, conservative
policy and straightforward methods have commanded uniform confidence and
therefore gained a liberal support of the public patronage. In his profession
he is particularly strong as a counsellor and advisor and is widely known for
his sound sense, his solid learning and his practical judgment.

     In January, 1861, Mr. Perry was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte T.
Horton, a daughter of William Horton, a manufacturer of edged tools in New
York city. They have ten children, to whom excellent educational advantages
have been offered The eldest son, George H., is now associated with his father
in practice,. He was born in Brooklyn August 9, 1862, pursued his elementary
education in the public schools, later attended the high school of Brooklyn
and subsequently the Polytechnic Institute. In 1886 he took the degree of L.L.
B. at the Columbia College Law School, and in 1896 the degree of master of law
was conferred upon him by the New York University Law School. Soon after
taking his degree, he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in
the office of his father, uncle and cousin, with which firm he is now
associated in business. His specialty in the practice is equity and surrogate
law, to which he has devoted his time and attention with the result that lit
has the reputation of a very skillful practitioner in those departments of
jurisprudence