HARMAN WARD PEERY (1891-1961)

Businessman - Politician - Entrepreneur - Veteran WW I

Born 23 Aug 1891, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, youngest of four children born to Hon. David Harold Peery and Elizabeth Letitia Higginbotham Peery, a prominent pioneer family of Ogden.

He was raised in Ogden, where in 1910, at 20, he became dealer for the 1910 Hupmobile automobile in three Utah counties. He remained in that business until 1912, when he became manager of D.H. Peery Estate, Inc., the family's real estate investment company. He inherited much of his father's business ability. In 1910, under the direction of David Henry Peery and Joseph Stras Peery, Harman's oldest brothers, the Estate completed construction of the four-story Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City, long in the planning after their father's death in 1901.

During the 1920s and early 1930s, Harman and his brother, Louis H. Peery, co-managed D.H.Peery Estate, Inc. They invested in entertainment properties in Ogden, including Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden Theater, and the White City Ballroom, where the big bands drew large crowds.

On April 1, 1929, Harman married in a private family ceremony in Ogden, Jennifer Modena (Dean) Chaffin (1894-1989), daughter of George Riley Chaffin and Rose Mary Walker Chaffin, of Farmington, Davis County, Utah. They had one child, Rosanne.

OGDEN STANDARD-EXAMINER - OBITUARY
(Edited by Paul D. Peery)

Controversial, outspoken and colorful, Harman W. Peery was elected Mayor of Ogden in 1934, an office he retained until 1939. He was elected again in 1943 and 1948 for two year terms.

In a surprising write-in race in 1957, he was elected to the Ogden City Council --a form of government he repeatedly criticized. He was re-elected in 1959.

Riding a popular crest in 1936, the councilman made an unsuccessful bid for Utah's governorship. In a county election held in the Fall of 1960, he came within a few hundred votes of winning a primary race for the Weber County Commissioner.

On at least one occasion, Harman Peery broke into national headlines. That was in 1936 when he offered the then Duke of Windsor and his wife-to-be Wally Simpson a free marriage if they would wed in Ogden during the Pioneer Days celebration.

One of his more notable achievements was the founding of Pioneer Days which has since become a city institution.

Harman served briefly with the U.S. Navy during WW I, assigned to an office in Washington, D.C. He was there because of his ability to handle business work.

PEERY FAMILY HISTORY
Excerpts from a lengthy piece written by Joseph Stras Peery about his youngest brother:

"In 1940, Harman acquired a mill with a history, which he renamed "The Old Mill Inn," which became an eating establishment, night club and offered swimming. It originated after Alfred Randall of Salt Lake City was called by Brigham Young to go to Ogden and build a woolen factory. Three other men--Philip Puglsey, William C. Neal, and Lorin Farr--joined with Randall and organized a company known as the "Ogden Woolen Mills."

"In 1867, they constructed a commodious building, 90 by 40 feet and three stories high, located at 1251 Canyon Road, Ogden. It was of first class construction, supervised by Randall.

In about 1883, it seems "Lorin Farr had now become sole owner, as the factory was known at the time as 'Farr's Woolen Mills." "In about 1912, the property was was purchased by Smith Brothers Bedding Company, and in 1940 it passed into the hands of Harman W. Peery."

Harman ran the business until he turned it over to his daughter and son-in-law, Robert W. and Rosanne King in 196x, who ran it successfully. Today, Rosanne leads the family in operating the business, known as "Rainbow Gardens Gift Shop." It has a very large main gift shop, Planet Rainbow (unique gifts), and "The Greenery Restaurant."

Harman died at St. Benedict's Hospital in Ogden, after long illness, at 69. He was buried in the Peery Family Plot at the Ogden City Cemetery.

Paul D. Peery, Nephew