Article, "Senator Perin Dies Saturday after Illness"

Title

Article, "Senator Perin Dies Saturday after Illness"

Subject

Perin, Senator Willis, 1869-1930
University of Nebraska (Lincoln campus). School of Agriculture

Description

Article tells of the passing of S.W. Perin former Superintendent of the campus farm.

Source

RG 52-01-01, Bio Bib Files, Archives & Special Collections

Publisher

Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries

Date

1930, Jan. 19

Rights

To inquire about usage, please contact Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries. These images are for educational use only. Not all images are available for publication.

Transcription

Senator Perin Dies Saturday After Illness
Superintendent of Ag Farm Succumbs at Lincoln Residence
Served Forty Years
Burnett, Avery and Burr Tribute to Memory of Pioneer
Senator W. Perin, who for forty years had been superintendent of the agricultural college farm, died at his home at 3285 Orchard Street at 5 A.M. Saturday morning. Mr. Perin has been combined to his home for several months following several serious operations.
Chancellor E. A. Burnett in commenting upon his death stated: “In the passing of Mr. S. W. Perin, superintendent of the university farm, the university has lost an outstanding character. For forty years he has given loyal and devoted service to the institution. Born in a pioneer country with limited school opportunities, he homesteaded in Custer county when it was largely unbroken prairie.
“From there he came to the college farm in 1889 while it was still undeveloped and without any definite educational program. For many years he had charge of all university field work but as programs were worked out by which this work was assigned to technical departments his work became more general and related more to administration. “His diary covering the daily activities of his work during the entire period will be one of the valuable college records. Mr. Perin’s most outstanding quality was his devotion to his associates. No man on the agricultural campus was so universally loved as he. His devotion was like that of a father to his children, demanding no return and no compensation. It mattered not that the family grew larger: the labor however great to him, was never onerous. It was his joy to serve.”
Avery Gives Tribute
Chancellor Emeritus Samuel Avery paid the following tribute to Mr. Perin: “I have known Mr. Perin since 1891. During most of that time I was closely associated with him. He was a man of the most lovable character . His passing is a distinct loss to the university community. He was not only a very efficient employee of the institution but he contributed much to the morale of the staff through his attitude of loyalty and devotion ot the institution he served.”
Dean W. W. Burr, of the college of agriculture, stated: “In the passing of Mr. S. W. Perin the university had lost one of the most faithful and efficient workers it has had in any capacity, and many of us have lost one of our most loyal friends. During the forty years Mr. Perin was connected with the university its interests were always foremost in his mind, and he knew no limited hours of service. No matter what time of day or night that something needed attention, he was the first to be called and the first to respond. He loved the agriculture college and took a keen interest in its every activity.
Had Many Friends
“During his many years at the agriculture college he made numerous lasting friendships. Many of the young men, who have attended the school and the college look back upon the many kindnesses he rendered them in helping them over the rough places that come to one in student life. He was a splendid type of man in every way.
“I have known no one who had to the same degree the quality of rendering personal kindness to those around him, and consequently few people have had more true friends. His passing is a deep personal loss to me.”
Mr. Perin is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. J. L. Labarrere of Denver: and Mrs. George S. Reeder, of Columbus, two sons Charles C., of Philadelphia; and C. D. Perin of Lincoln.
Father a Prospector
He was born in Council Bluffs, ln., May 8, 1859. With his mother and four brothers he traveled across Nebraska to Pike’s peak when but a year old. His father was prospecting for gold in Colorado at that time.
In 1882 he was married to Laura Courney. In 1889 he was employed as superintendent of the state farm. Mr. Perin had complete charge of all the work on the farm during his early years there and was practically head of the agricultural college. His wife cooked for all the help then employed at the college of agriculture. The state farm contained nothing but an apple orchard and a hog lot when Mr. Perin first assumed charge. He had seen all the buildings on the agricultural college built.
Mr. Perin was often called upon to meet the trains with the official college "hack." He had the distinction of meeting Chancellor and Mrs. Burnett in this "hack" shortly after their marriage.

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Citation

“Article, "Senator Perin Dies Saturday after Illness",” Nebraska U, accessed March 29, 2024, https://unlhistory.unl.edu/items/show/642.

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