[4] Eli Perry aided his father in fulfilling the contract, which gave him the knowledge and contacts to enter the business world on his own.

[4] In addition to helping support the family, Perry saved fourteen dollars over the course of the year he worked for Wilcox, which became the capital he used to start his own business.

[4] Perry started a meatpacking venture by procuring use of the corner of a local grocery store, where he set up a butcher's stall.

[6] Perry eventually earned enough to buy a horse and wagon, which enabled him to expand his customer base by selling to homes and businesses in the towns surrounding Albany.

[6] As his business continued to grow, Perry was able to move to permanent quarters at the corner of Washington Avenue and Swan Street, near his father's tavern.

[6] Recognizing that meatpacking would become an important industry as canals and railroads made it possible to transport food over longer distances, Perry continued to expand until he employed dozens of workers and processed more than 100 animals each day.

[12] During his third term as mayor, a strike by workers of the New York Central Railroad threatened the safety of the city and had the potential to delay or prevent delivery of troops and materiel to the front lines.

[12] Rather than respond with force, as many of Albany's business and civic leaders suggested, Perry personally visited the city's railyard to seek out the organizers of the strike.

[12] Perry informed the leaders that as mayor he was obligated to enforce the law and would employ force if necessary, and also gave his word that their concerns would be addressed if they dispersed.

[12] During the war, Perry was head of the city committee that supported the Union by organizing recruiting and fundraising efforts.

[12] He was one of the primary recruiters of Company B, 91st New York Infantry Regiment, which was commanded by Captain George W. Stackhouse, who had worked for Perry before the war.