CLASS OF 1842

Dr. William Gilman Perry died at his home in Exeter, N. H., August 2. He was born in Exeter, July 21, 1823, the oldest son and second of five children of Dr. William and Abigail (Gilman) Perry. His father was a Harvard graduate of 1811, and at his death in 1887 in his ninety-ninth year he had been for four years the oldest alumnus of Harvard. The son entered Phillips Exeter Academy in 1833, and at his death is believed to have had but one senior among its alumni. After graduating from Dartmouth he studied medicine with his father and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, obtaining his medical degree in 1847. He then took a year of professional study in France. Few physicians of that time were so well trained, and he ever kept abreast of achievements in medical science. He opened an office in Exeter, and, unaided by his father, quickly built up a large practice in Exeter and neighboring towns. In it he continued actively engaged for more than half a century. July 7, 1864, Dr. Perry was appointed a trustee of the state hospital for the insane, his father having secured the original appropriation for its establishment, and in this post he zealously served until his resignation about two years since. He was consulting physician and surgeon for the Exeter Cottage Hospital, in which he was deeply interested. In 1876 he was elected a trustee of Robinson Seminary for an unexpired term of three years, and in 1879 re-elected for the seven-year term. Shortly before he had served on the superintending school committee. In 1879 he was a member of the state senate. In all that pertained to Exeter and its welfare, Dr. Perry was keenly interested. He had at command a vast fund of entertaining and instructive local reminiscence, too infrequently imparted to the public in published addresses or in contributions to the press. Dr. Perry was one of the finest types of the old school gentleman. His professional attainments and ideals were high, and he rigidly held himself to them. While in active practice, and even after the partial retirement he had so fully earned, he never failed to respond to any call, regardless of the source or conditions, or his own desires. His visits never failed to brighten the sick room. August 20, 1849, Dr. Perry was married to Lucretia Morse, daughter of Francis N. Fisk of Concord, who died September 4, 1896. Their daughter and only child, Mrs. Albertus T. Dudley, has since presided over his home.