Howard McLean Perry

Narrative:

     Howard McLean Perry was born on 14 Apr 1876 in Logan Co., Kentucky.^7,8,9
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Robertson Co., Tennessee, in the household of his parents, William Monroe Perry and Marion McLean.⁴
     Howard appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 306 Madison St., enumerated 17 Jul 1900, listed as a boarder in the boarding house operated by W. Ella Kinkanon. She, her husband, two children, a brother-in-law, nine boarders, and a servant were listed in the household.¹⁸
     Howard married first Hope Irene Gracey, daughter of Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Irene Thomas, on 31 Jan 1906 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.^10,11,12
     Howard and Hope appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in the household of Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Irene Thomas, her parents.¹⁹
     He was a clerk in 1900, whether with F. P. Gracey and Bros. is not known, but likely. In 1908, after the death of Matt Gracey, he became one of three partners in the firm, along with his father-in-law, Julien Frank Gracey, and Gracey Childress. In 1910 he reported is occupation as bookkeeper.^20,21,22
     Howard registered for the draft for World War I on 11 Sep 1918, while living at Greenwood Dr., Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, reporting he was employed as a member of the firm of F. P. Gracey & Brother, general agents for L & N Railroad Co., and manager of Clarksville Warehouse and Transit Co., in Clarksville.³
     He was manager of the transfer department of F. P. Gracey & Brother, and of the Clarksville Warehouse & Transit Company, by 1923.^23,24,25
     Howard and Hope appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 425 Greenwood Ave., enumerated 7 Jan 1920, reporting that they rented their home, which was part of a two-family dwelling. Their daughter Louise was listed as living with them, and her brother Julien was living a few doors away, at 409 Greenwood.²⁶
     Howard and Hope appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 224 Union St., enumerated 18 Apr 1930, reporting that they rented their home for $40 per month, and did not own a radio. Their daughter Louise was listed as living with them.²⁷
     Howard was named executor and an heir in the will of his wife, dated 3 Sep 1930. He was to receive, for his life or until his remarriage, one-third of her property outside of her furniture, china, sliver, etc. He was to use the income from that property but keep the principal intact, to go to their daughter at his death or remarriage. He was also named trustee for their daughter, who received the other two-thirds of the property, until she reached age 30.²⁸
     His wife died on 23 Jun 1931 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.²⁹
     Howard returned late the evening of 7 Oct 1932 by motor from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, leaving his car in the Ladd Garage. When taking a revolver from the vehicle he dropped it on the floor and it discharged, the bullet hitting his right knee. He walked to his apartment but then found the injury more significant then he thought. He was taken to the hospital where the wound was declared not serious.³⁰
     Howard sold his one-third interest in the property of the F. P. Gracey and Brother partnership, excluding his share in cash on hand and uncollected storage fees, to the newly incorporated firm of F. P. Gracey and Brother, Inc., on 15 Nov 1932, for $6,000. The next day, as executor of his late wife and trustee of their daughter, he joined her siblings in selling all the real estate they had inherited from their parents, which included their two-thirds interest in the property of the F. P. Gracey and Brother partnership, to the new corporation. They also sold their two-thirds interest in the personal property of the partnership, which included grist and feed mill equipment, trucks, wagons, mules and horses, and office equipment. In return each of them received 125 shares in the new corporation.^31,32
     Howard reserved the right to enter a similar or competitive business when he sold his share in F. P. Gracey & Brother. If he did that business seems to have been short-lived. By 1940 he was retired.³³
     Howard married second Mary Lindley Wilkins, daughter of Walter Wilkins and Willie Lindley, on 24 Nov 1934 in St. John's Episcopal Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, with Rev. Louis C. Melcher officating.^13,14,15
     Howard and Mary settled in Kentucky after their marriage. They appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, on La Fayette Road, enumerated 18 Apr 1940, reporting they owned a home valued at $12,000, and that they had lived in rural Christian Co. in 1935.³⁴
     Howard died on 9 Jan 1944 in Christian Co., Kentucky, at age 67.⁵ He was buried on 10 Jan 1944 in Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky.^16,17