NATHANIEL JAMES PERRY

NATHANIEL JAMES PERRY is the youngest of the three children of Horace B. and Lodema M. Perry. the father was born in Orleans county, New York, and the mother in Erie county, same state. They were married in Michigan in 1848, and settled in Eaton county February 8, 1860. Mr. Perry was a man most highly esteemed for his noble qualities of head and heart and was long held, even to the time of his death in 1898, in veneration as one of the dependable township fathers. Mrs. Perry (Lodema Hicks) is still in the enjoyment of good health at the homestead farm with the family of the subject of our sketch, whose sister is Mrs. Cornelia Ann Vanande, wife of Dr. William E. Vanande of Roxand, and whose brother is George a. Perry, editor of the Charlotte Tribune. Nathaniel Perry's school days were supplemented by a few terms at Olivet College. He has had experience as a teacher, as a clerk, and in public office, but has gravitated to the farm as the most independent and satisfactory life. He was deputy postmaster four years under Dr. Vanande, at Sunfield, during which time he gained a fair knowledge of pharmacy, and has served two terms as treasurer of Brookfield township. He has valuable farm interests in Brookfield and is well posted in the intricate business of stock raising. he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. He "belongs" to no party or church, although he contributes to the good of all and the best in all belongs to him. He believes that the interests of the state will be best served by everyone living up to his best light, consequently he supports the best man rather than the so-called "principles" of a lot of unscrupulous and unprincipled scalawags. In 1883 Mr. Perry was united in marriage with Miss Martha Vanande, youngest daughter of Jacob A. and Catherine Vanande, both deceased, but remembered as among Brookfield's most worthy residents. Mr. and Mrs. Perry's eldest son, Carl, is a graduate of the Charlotte schools and a teacher of ability. Hazel and Clare are still in the paternal home.