Earl Perry Saunders - 1856-1937 - son of Anson Perry and Mary Jane Williams Saunders, was born at Darien, Genesee County, N. Y. When eight years old he came with his parents to Alfred Station. When ready to enter college he with his parents moved to Alfred. Working his way through college, he was graduated in 1880 as an honor student. He also attended business school at Buffalo. He taught school in Rhode Island one year before graduating, and two after. September 19, 1882, he was married to Carrie Lincoln Briggs of Ashaway, R. I. After one year in Alfred Theological School he attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City, from which he was graduated in 1885. While in Union he supplied the Seventh Day Baptist Church at New Market, and later in New York City. He was ordained as a Seventh Day Baptist minister at New Market in 1885. Following his ordination he accepted a position as business manager of the Seventh Day Baptist Publishing House, then located at Alfred. After eight years in the publishing work he taught school in Westerly, R. I., for two years, returning to Alfred under the presidency of Dr. Arthur E. Main, and for ten years served as principal of Alfred Academy. In 1912, he became secretary of the Alfred Mutual Loan Association, a position he held until his retirement in 1933. Then for two years he was president of that association. At an early age he united with the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Alfred Station, later transferring to Alfred, of which he was a faithful and dependable member until his death. At all times Mr. Saunders was a public spirited man. Next to his family, his church was his closest interest. He was also vitally interested in his denomination, serving it one year as Conference president, and ten years as Conference recording secretary. He was for several years superintendent and a teacher of the Sabbath school. His pastor always found him a loyal friend and a valuable counselor. He was an accurate and painstaking workman. Whatever he did he did well. At the time of his death he was one of Alfred's oldest citizens, and one of the university's oldest graduates. He is survived by his widow; by two sons, Harold B., a teacher in the schools at Rochester, N. Y., and Edward E., of Spokane, Wash.; by two daughters, Miss Gertrude of Providence, R. I.; and Mrs. T. S. Henley of Biloxi, Miss.; also a brother, DeAlton of Greenville, Texas, and five grandchildren. Farewell services were conducted by his pastor assisted by Rev. Edgar D. Van Horn of Alfred Station. The body was cremated and committal services were in the Alfred Rural Cemetery.
