Born: July 17, 1870
Died: January 24, 1963
Married: Marietta Rogers
Children: Mrs. Mildred Hayden, Mrs. Virginia Brown
Perry T. Hanscom was an early entrepreneur in the field of electrical power. He advised Paul Smith on his power businesses.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, January 24, 1963
Perry T. Hanscom
Perry T. Hanscom, 92, who was indirectly responsible for establishment of Paul Smith's Electric Co. and who spent a long lifetime in the electrical power field, died Monday at Gabriels Nursing Home where he had been staying for two years.
He was consulted by Paul Smith when the hydro plant at Keeses Mills was established. Later he was summoned by Smith's two sons who said Old Paul had gone crazy and wanted to purchase two hydro plants for $8000 and again was called when Smith wanted to buy up the Saranac Lake Lighting Co. for $125,000. Each time Hanscom agreed with the father and the two hydro plants became the Union Falls and Franklin Falls plants of the Paul Smith's Electric Co.
Mr. Hanson started his career with the Charles L. Bly Co. Boston when he was 17 years of age. Seven years later, in 1894 he joined General Electric Co. and by 1914 moved to New York City to take over the top post in a G. E. subsidiary financing American power companies in trouble.
By the time the depression ended the subsidiary, Hanscom had met up with W. C. Chitty, described as an American soldier of fortune, who had on his hands a run-down power company in Honduras. Hanscom saved the company by securing a loan and when Chitty died, took over the firm.
Mr. Hanscom was born in Sheffield, Vt. on July 17, 1870, a son of Aaron and Lydia Allard Hanscom. His wife, Marietta Rogers, died in 1917. Two daughters Mrs. Mildred Hayden of Bethseda, Md. and Mrs. Virginia Brown of Needham, Mass., survive.
Friends may call this evening from 7 to 8:30 at the Keough and Son Funeral Home. A committal service will be held at 10:30 Saturday at Vale cemetery in Schenectady.
