WASHINGTON PERRY BRINK, son of Horace W. and Permelia (McAllister) Brink, was born at Goshen (later West Rochester), Vt. in 1831, and died at Chicago, Ill. 23 July 1874 (g.r.).

He married at Stockbridge, Vt., 20 Jan. 1853 (v.r.), FIDELIA S. HOLLAND, daughter of Jonathan and Polly (Ranney) Holland. She was born about 1834/5, and died 1 Jan. 1875 at Chicago (g.r.).

When the 1850 census was taken, W. P. Brink, known as Perry, was living with the Gould Stockwell family in Stockbridge. He was listed as aged 19 years and had attended school during the year. Both Perry and Fidelia were living in Stockbridge at the time of their marriage.

On 1 Nov. 1854 Perry and Fidelia mortgaged a farm which had been deeded to him the day before for $1600 by Fidelia's brother Jonathan Holland and his wife Abigail A. Holland. The farm had been willed to Jonathan Holland by his father. (Stockbridge Deeds 11-347/8). The 1855 Hosea Doten map of Windsor County shows P. Brink as living on South Hill in Stockbridge. This land was part of a decree of foreclosure in favor of Elihu Hyde against Washington and Fidelia Brink passed in Orange County, Vt. in January 1859 (Stockbridge Deeds
12-347).

The Brinks had probably moved to Orange County prior to this time, but later that year relocated to Chicago where Perry was to become the founder of Brink's Chicago City Express.

In 1959 Brink's Incorporated published a history to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the company, Brink's, The Money Movers: The Story of a Century of Service. The book states that it all began when...

"Washington P. Brink landed in Chicago a thrifty Yankee from
Vermont. He bought a horse and light wagon and May 5th
made his first trip in the collection and delivery of parcels,
baggage and merchandise."

The book says that Perry Brink operated his new business from his living quarters, first on South St. near Halsted, later from 215 Kinzie St., then from 62 Whitney. In 1868 he separated work from home, moving the business to 39 Randolph.

In 1870 the Chicago City Directory read: Brink, Washington P. (Brink & M. T. Stiles), props. of Brink's City Express, 37 Randolph. The 1871 Merchants Census listed him as W. P. Brink of Brink and Stiles, living at 62 Whitney, Ward 19. The household consisted of 2 males and 3 females. 1871 was also the year of the Great Chicago Fire and Brink's was destroyed along with much of the rest of Chicago's business community. By 1874 the Directory made no mention of a partnership with Stiles, and the 1959 history does not refer to Stiles at all.

After Perry Brink's death Brink's Express continued to grow and prosper under the leadership of his son Arthur P. Brink. Perry's death occurred at age 43 of hydrocephalus. His wife Fidelia died five and one half months later at age 40. They are buried with their son Frank in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago.

Sylvester McAllister was appointed administrator of his nephew Perry's estate in 1877 (Cook Co. Probate 5-653). The estate was valued at $2653.95. Both Sylvester McAllister and Arthur P. Brink submitted sworn statements as to their personal relationships with the deceased, stating that W. P. Brink was born in Rochester, Vt. in 1831, that he married Fidelia Holland in Stockbridge in 1854 [correct date was 1853], and that he and his wife had three children. Sylvester also stated that he "is the uncle of said Washington P. Brink and was well acquainted with the whole family of said Washington P. Brink during his whole life."

Perry Brink's obituary appeared in the Chicago Daily Tribune, 24 July 1874. It read:

"Mr. Brink, the founder and manager of the well-known City
Express which bears his name, died yesterday morning at 6
o'clock after a very brief illness, he having been at the office
during the preceding day. The cause of death was some
unknown disease of the brain.

Mr. Brink was born in Western Vermont in 1833 and came to
Chicago twelve years ago. In 1867 he started in the express
business, his sole capital being one wagon and his own energy.
The cheapness of his charges, the conveniences he offered the
public, and his own fair dealing and industry contributed to
build up a large and invaluable business and by the time of his
death the City Express had become one of the most popular of
Chicago institutions.

His death is regretted by all who knew him personally, and is
deeply mourned by his family, consisting of a wife and two
children."

Children:

i.	Arthur Perry Brink, b. 1856/7. [SEE BELOW]
ii.	Lucy F. Brink, b. 1857/8 in Vt.; m. before 24 July 1877 when her father's probate records list her as being married, Martin C. Meader; he b. ca. 1854/5 in N.Y. In 1880 they lived on Gifford St. in Elgin, Ill. and Martin worked in a watch factory. They are not listed in the 1900 census index for Illinois, Minnesota or California. Children:
	a.	Frank R. Meader, b. ca. 1878/9 in Ill.; ae. 1 yr. in 1880 census.
	b.	Roy Meader (?), a Roy Meader appears in a 1921 Brink's banquet photo (Brink's, The Money Movers); may be the same person.
iii.	Frank H. Brink, b. 8 Sept. 1863 (g.r.); d. 13 Aug. 1864 at Chicago, Ill., ae. 11 mos., 5 dys. (v.r.); bur. with parents.

 

ARTHUR PERRY BRINK, son of Washington Perry and Fidelia (Holland) Brink, was born about 1856/7 at Stockbridge, Vt.

He married about 1875/6, NINA M. MEADER. Her mother's name was Sarah M. Meader. Nina was born in June 1856 in New York.

Born in Vermont, Arthur moved to Chicago with his parents about 1859. Brink's, the Money Movers: The Story of a Century of Service (1959), reported that after the death of the founder, Perry Brink,

"...the affairs of the company were left in the hands of Arthur Perry Brink who had joined his father in 1873 at the age of eighteen. In spite of his youth, "A.P." was a capable and farsighted businessman. His associates of later years describe him as brisk, lively and energetic."

In 1879 Brink's Chicago City Express Company went public and A.P. subscribed to 20 shares at $100 per share. Brink was named vice president and assistant superintendent. In 1886 he became superintendent and by 1895 assumed the title of manager.

The Brink's book says that A.P. Brink resigned from the company in 1912 and went to California a year after his son Percy quit to move west. However, the Chicago City Directory for 1916 still shows "Brink, Arthur P., express, h. 4450 N. Winchester Ave.

Children, born in Illinois:

i.	Cora Brink, b. Sept. 1876; listed with parents in the 1900 census taken at Chicago.
ii.	Percy Brink, b. 5 May 1878 [SSDI]; d. Oct. 1970 [SSDI] - last residence Glendale, CA; in the 1900 census was listed in Chicago as manager of express company, living with his parents. He listed himself as being married for one year, although no wife is listed with him. He worked for Brink's Chicago City Express Co., but resigned in 1911 and moved west.
iii.	Olive M. Brink, b. June 1889; listed as an advertising solicitor in 1916 Chicago City Directory, living with parents.
iv.	Child Brink, d. before 1900 census was taken.