STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1901, page 1, column 8

JAMES A. PERFECT, 16 Sep 1861 - 02 Oct 1901

   Funeral services of the late James A. Perfect were held at the 
family residence on Darling Street, Friday afternoon, Oct. 4, 
conducted by Elder C. S. Medbury, of the Angola Christian church, 
assisted by Rev. J. M. Kendall, of the Pleasant Lake Baptist church.  
At the services Mr. Medbury read the following obituary:
   James A. Perfect, only son of Robert L. and Ellen Perfect, was 
born near Pleasant Lake, Steuben county, Ind., Sept. 16, 1861.  Died 
at his home in Angola, Indiana, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 1901, aged 40 
years and 16 days.
   September 23, 1885, Mr. Perfect was united in marriage with Mary 
B. Harper.  To this union two children were born, but both died in 
early infancy, leaving parental hearts saddened but still enriched - 
the play of their love and sympathy broadened and deepened.
   In November of 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Perfect moved from Pleasant 
Lake to Angola, Mr. Perfect taking the position of ticket agent and 
operator at the Lake Shore depot.  He continued in this place - an 
efficient public servant - until his resignation about two years 
ago.  
   Personal friends of the deceased have recognized that he has been 
in feeble health for some time and that his recent fatal illness was 
but the consummation of the unfavorable developments of many months.
   Mr. Perfect was an honored man among men.  Quiet and unassuming 
to a great degree, he lived upon a plane of exalted integrity in his 
relations to those about him.  Our community is not often moved as 
at his death and universal grief finds voice in universal tributes 
to his worth.  We need more such men.  He was a kind man - a true 
friend.  His lips are scarcely more silent in death than they were 
in life to bitter words with regard to those about him.
   Enjoying fraternal fellowship with men, he was an honored member 
of the Masonic order whose members gladly pay gracious tribute to 
his memory.
   In realms of highest thought he moved as one more and more 
responsive to the life appeals that sound the depths and reveal our 
inner selves.  A devoted son and faithful husband, his aged mother 
and stricken wife, who alone, within family lines, survive him, have 
the rich legacy of his unfailing love and truth within these sacred 
relationships.  Tender as a father toward the child taken in their 
home, little Margaret mourns his death not realizing that no tie of 
kinship bound them.  Reverent in attitude toward the truth, he goes 
into the presence of his maker leaving no word or slur of rebellion 
ringing in the ears of men.  Understanding a man's obligation to his 
fellows, he gave recently a liberal gift to our college, saying that 
perhaps it would help some one to obtain an education.  The currents 
of his soul ran deeper with the unfolding of the years.  His 
attitude was that of the quiet, but honest inquirer after the things 
of kindness and truth.  We love, in common, such a life, and 
bereaved ones must let us bear a part of this day's burden, for in 
the sacred fellowship of their sorrow, we stand as mourners too, 
weeping with those who weep.
(Picture included with obituary)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

   James A. Perfect, 16 Sep 1861 - 02 Oct 1901, son of Robert Lucas 
Perfect, 07 Mar 1833 - 16 Oct 1882, and Ellen (Jackson) Perfect, 01 
Mar 1835 - 04 Apr 1911.  James married Mary B. (Harper) Perfect, 15 
May 1864 - 28 May 1950.  Their child, Robert H. Perfect, died 17 Jan 
1891 at 4 days of age.  All are buried on the same plot at Circle 
Hill Cemetery, Angola, Steuben County, Indiana. 

"Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990" by Audree Siebel 
Lewis, Vol. II, pages 1433, 1434.