Aftermath; Governor
He returned to Florida and became a prominent lawyer and Democratic state politician. Elected governor in 1884, he assumed office on January 7, 1885. During his administration, Florida adopted a new constitution and established the state board of education. He was an outspoken opponent of the carpetbaggers.
Perry was active in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. His antebellum home became the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Pensacola
The Confederate Monument on Palafox Street bears a plaque honoring his wife, Wathen Virginia Taylor, who raised the funds for its erection. After leaving office on January 8, 1889, he returned home to Pensacola. The property was sold for $2.53 million to the adjacent First United Methodist Church, and fund raising for renovations are in place. He died suddenly of a stroke while visiting Kerrville, Texas later that year, aged 58.
He and his wife are buried in St. John's Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida where the grave marker and central monument in the Perry plot shows the name of his wife to be Wathen Virginia Perry as does the historic marker at the former Perry home at 1 E. Wright Street.
Perry, Florida is named in his honor.
Perry Avenue, Florida State Road 296's final leg in East Pensacola Heights, Florida toward the terminus at Cervantes Street U.S. Route 90 is named for him.
Read more about this topic: Edward A. Perry
Famous quotes containing the word governor:
“I saw the man my friend ... wants pardoned, Thomas Flinton. He is a bright, good-looking fellow.... Of his innocence all are confident. The governor strikes me as a man seeking popularity, who lacks the independence and manhood to do right at the risk of losing popularity. Afraid of what will be said. He is prejudiced against the Irish and Democrats.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)