EDWARD JOSEPH PERRY, who for a quarter of a century or more figured as one of the sterling citizens of Houston, and whose life there was one of many sided experience, bringing him in touch with many phases of industrial and commercial activity, took a constructive interest in the public affairs of and was a factor in the development of the city. Mr. Perry was of that type of business man inevitably destined to become an outstanding figure in any community wherein he finds himself, and with strong characteristics of initiative, combined with the asset of integrity and keen insight into business policies, the movements he launched during his lifetime were successful to a marked degree. Whether as a manufacturer, a broker, an undertaker, a civic worker, or a private citizen, Mr. Perry ranks as a citizen of the highest type, and his activities as an integral part of the life of Houston have left their imprint on the community.

Born the thirty-first of March, 1860, at Leavenworth, Kansas, where his father, Edward Perry, banker, railroad builder and capitalist, was at that time supervising the construction of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, Mr. Perry spent his early boyhood in that place, and in Denison, Texas, to which city the family removed after the road was completed in Kansas. His mother was Miss Melamie Brouilette, a native of Montreal, before her marriage, as was also Edward Perry. The elder Mr. Perry made Denison his home for many years, and after the completion of the Katy road founded the first bank in that city. He was a great builder and supplied the capital for many large enterprises in the Lone Star State. The subject of this sketch was educated in Montreal, Canada, in the Catholic schools of that place, and after finishing his education there returned to Denison and entered his father’s bank, later going into the wholesale commission business there. Still later he sold his commission business and engaged in the manufacture of press brick until November, 1894, at which time he disposed of his interests in Denison and came to Houston.

In Houston Mr. Perry continued along the same policy that had marked his earlier career, and the career of his father, that of establishing a business, bringing it to a flourishing and prosperous condition, after which he would turn his attention to a new venture. His first interest in Houston was the mercantile brokerage business, wherein he amassed quite a small fortune. He later bought an interest in the Wall and Stabe Undertaking Company, still later buying the entire business, and taking complete charge of the management of the firm. He put this business on a high plane, developing it along the highest lines, and at the time of his death was still actively interested in it.

Mr. Perry was married to Miss Louise Scott, the twenty-third of April, 1890. Mrs. Perry was the daughter of Dr. John O. Scott, a native of Kentucky, who came to Sherman in 1876 and was a prominent physician and surgeon there until his death in 1903. Her mother, before her marriage to Dr. Scott, was Miss Ellen Melvin, a native of Marion, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Perry had a family of four children, Ellen, Melamie, Edward Joseph, Vice-President and Manager of the Wall and Stabe Undertaking Company and his father’s estate, and John S. Perry. They make their home at 803 Holman Avenue.

Mr. Perry died the twenty-fourth of May, 1920, at his home in Houston. He was a member of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and various civic organizations. He was an enthusiastic supporter of civic activities, finding a happy satisfaction in watching the progress of his city along the highest lines of civic development. In the business world his outstanding attribute, aside from his integrity and natural endowments, was a spirit of co-operation, practically and intelligently applied that marked his association with his fellows. He was the exponent of all that was best in modern business, and his place in the commercial life of his city will long remain unfilled.

Source : New Encyclopedia of Texas,Compiled and Edited by Ellis A. Davis and Edwin H.Grobe; Published by Texas Development Bureau; Dallas. Texas, ca. 1926