Bio of Perry, Adolphus Edward- Grady County, Oklahoma Transcribed by: Gene Phillips 31 Oct 2005 Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== BIO Chronicles of Oklahoma ADOLPHUS EDWARD PERRY 1867-1939 A. Edward Perry, the son of Edward Perry and Melanie Sophronie Perry nee Bruette was born in Montreal, Canada, July 23, 1867, and died in Denver, Colorado, July 29, 1939; he was buried at Rush Springs, Oklahoma. His father, Edward Perry, was in charge of construction of the M. K. & T. Railroad through the Indian Territory for his brother-in-law, John Scullin, of St. Louis. He brought his family to Denison, Texas, while the road was constructing, camping in the Indian Territory. Ed. was one of a family of eight boys and one girl. His early years were spent in Denison, where he attended school afterwards going to Montreal, Canada, to the Jesuits where he finished the regulation course of studies. He then went on the road as a "drummer" for several years. Many of his vacations were spent in the Indian Territory at the home of the late Governor Johnston, and on the ranches of the Colberts and the Loves. Thus Ed. grew to manhood with a knowledge and love of the old Indian Territory. Robert L. Owen was a great friend of the family, he and Will Perry having married Daisy and Fanny, the only daughters of Captain G. B. Hester of Boggy Depot. In 1888 Ed. his brother, H. T. V. Perry, and John Hodges opened a large store in Atoka. During these early years he formed the enduring ties of friendship with Governor Green McCurtain, Bill Durant, Peter Hudson. Governor Bird (Chickasaw), Captain Charles LeFlore and many other prominent men. In 1889 and 1890, Ed. and H. T. V. made the move to the town of Cottonwood, afterwards known as Coalgate, where they opened a general merchandise store and coal mines. A year later Ed. decided to continue his education and enrolled in Holy Cross College, Worchester, Mass. He resumed his work in Coalgate in 1895 and on July 27, 1896, was married at Boggy Depot to Carrie LeFlore, daughter of Colonel Forbis LeFlore and Anne Mary LeFlore nee Maurer. Ed. Perry and H. T. V. Perry of Perry Brothers were the first mine operators to sign the union scale. My first acquaintance with Ed. Perry, known in political parlance as "Dynamite Ed." (to say the least he was dynamic) was more than 40 years ago. At the meeting of the Constitutional Convention in Guthrie, he spent most of his time at my room and office. My confidence in him was such that I was not afraid of betrayal of a secret. The year of statehood he was vice-chairman, and was made manager, and his Republican associates insisted that he knew "something on Murray," because of his close connection during the Convention, and Perry's character is expressed in his reply: "I know nothing unconscionable, and if I did, I wouldn't tell you as it would be a betrayal of a friend." He and I had up to the time of his death a steadfast, unbroken friendship, and I am delighted when requested to write this observation, and only wish I had more space than The Chronicles can allow. Perry engaged in many enterprises, among which was manager of the Concho Gravel and Sand Company, dealing with the state. Never was there one whisper of dishonest course in his many deals with the state under several Governors of the State. He was always ready "to bid." I may observe that Perry's influence in the carving of counties was more potent than the delegate, as he got the county seat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html