Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Perry J. Freeman

Mr. Freeman, who is the present postmaster of Richmond, and a member of the law firm of Johnson & Freeman, was born near Albion, Noble county, Indiana, on the 5th of August, 1857, his parents being Rev. Everson S. and Elizabeth J. (Prouty) Freeman. On the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish extraction and on the maternal side is of German lineage. His grandfather. Rev. Noah Freeman, a minister of the New-Light church, was a native of Ohio and spent his entire life in the vicinity of Dayton, where he died in 1836. He married Margaret Morris, a niece of Robert Morris, the millionaire patriot whose liberality made possible the conduct of the financial affairs of the new republic. After the death of Rev. Noah Freeman she married Captain Frink and they removed to Noble county, Indiana, where they spent their remaining days. Captain Frink was a well known surveyor of pioneer times, served as county surveyor of Noble county and superintended the construction of the dam that forms the lake at Rome City, Indiana.

The father of our subject. Rev. Everson S. Freeman, was born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1832. He lost his father when four years of age, and when still a child came with his mother and stepfather to Indiana. He was reared to manhood in Noble county and, preparing himself for the work of the ministry, spent his entire Hfe as a preacher of the gospel. He belonged to the North Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and labored among the people of that district for many years, but a short time before his death he removed to Topeka, Kansas, where his last days were passed. In October, 1893, at the age of sixty-three years, he was called to the home beyond. By his marriage to Elizabeth J. Prouty he became the father of two children: Mrs. Ella E. Owen, of Topeka, Kansas, and Perry J.

In various counties of the state Perry J. Freeman spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He completed the high-school course in Noblesville, Indiana, and also the work of the freshman year, in Asbury University, at Greencastle, Indiana. At the age of twenty he began teaching in Wayne county, where he followed that profession for five consecutive years. In April, 1883, he came to Richmond and registered as a student of law in the office of Hon. Henry U. Johnson, representative in the sixth congressional district, and his present law partner. His studies were carefully directed, and, applying himself with great diligence to the mastery of the science of jurisprudence, he gained a wide and accurate knowledge of the law. In March, 1885, he was admitted to the bar, and entered into partnership with his former preceptor, a connection that was maintained for two and a half years. He was then alone in business for two years, at the end of which time the old partnership relations were resumed, and the firm of Johnson & Freeman takes rank among the leading ones in this part of the state. Mr. Freeman is engaged in general practice, and has met with fair success. He is very painstaking and careful in the preparation of his cases, and, quick to note the strong points of a suit, he never fails to use them to the best advantage. Law rather than theory, common sense rather than pleasing rhetorical phrases, are the characteristically strong points of his argument, and his clients know him as one who is always true and loyal to the interests intrusted to his keeping. In 1890 he was a candidate for the nomination for prosecuting attorney, but was defeated before the convention by H. C. Starr, of Richmond.

On the 5th of June, 1883, Mr. Freeman was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Howard, of Anderson, Indiana, and they have three children: Howard, Gath and Hazel. They have a pleasant home and many warm friends in Richmond.

It would be difficult to find anyone who takes a more genuine interest in the welfare of this city than Mr. Freeman, who at all times is ready to co-operate in any movement for the public good. In May, 1891, he was elected mayor of the city, and served three and a half years, a period of marked progress and improvement in the municipality. Under his administration an electric-light system was introduced, the sewerage system was improved, streets were paved with vitrified brick, and other changes were made, until Richmond became one of the best improved and most progressive cities of its size in the United States. This is due in no small measure to Mr. Freeman, who used his official power for the benefit of the town and its residents. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster, entering upon the duties of the office on the 1st of February. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also a valued representative of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In all his social and business relations he is popular and influential, and his future may be forecast at least to this extent: It will be characterized by great activity in the important things that concern the interests of society and good government.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899