My Genealogy Hound

JOHN E. PERRIN was born on a farm in Springfield Township. Clark County, October 4, 1850. He is the only son of William and Dorothy (Sturgeon) Perrin, who spent their entire married life on the farm now owned by their son. His early education was obtained in the district schools, and he was subsequently graduated from a commercial college in Springfield. His taste and early training led him to adopt farming as his occupation, and he has followed it successfully, ranking among the best of the younger agriculturists in this section. The homestead comprises two hundred and eighty-nine acres, one hundred and sixty-four of which lie within the city limits, and the remainder adjoining the same. The family dwelling is a fine brick structure, substantially built and of pleasing architectural design, while the interior is supplied with all the comforts of modern and progressive farm life. The barn and other outbuildings, of which a full line are to be seen, are built of wood. General farming is carried on upon the estate, throughout which the evidences of good judgment and prosperity are everywhere manifest.

The subject of this sketch is a direct descendant of one of two brothers, John and William Perrin, who were early settlers of Maryland, and he now has in his possession a well-preserved deed to a tract of land in Frederick County, which was dated April, 1763. The next in the direct line of descent was John Perrin, who was born in Hagerstown and there reared to manhood. He married Amelia Ingram, a native of Washington County, Md., and both spent their last years in the Buckeye State, the wife dying in 1847, and the husband in 1848. This John Perrin had paid a visit to Ohio in 1804, making the journey to and fro on horseback, carrying with him a flint lock rifle, which is now carefully preserved by our subject. In 1806 he removed with his family, the journey being made with teams, as was the primitive custom. A large tract of Government land in what is now Springfield Township, Clark County, was purchased, and as there was no lumber to be had, a cabin of round logs was put up as a temporary shelter. This was replaced by a double hewed-log cabin, which at that time was considered a very fine house.

At that time Clark was a part of Champaign County and was but sparsely settled, the greater part of the Territory being owned by the Government and still inhabited by numerous Indians. At Springfield there were but three houses, and Cincinnati, seventy-five miles distant, was the nearest depot for supplies. Wild animals of many kinds were still plentiful, and the life of the settler was attended with many dangers and hardships.

To the worthy pioneer couple six children were born, who were named respectively: Edward, Joseph, John, William, Minerva and Emory. Minerva married Samuel Cooper. William, who was born January 22, 1815, on the farm now occupied by our subject, was reared and educated here, attending the pioneer schools, which were taught in a log schoolhouse, and as soon as his strength would permit beginning to assist his parents in the various labors which belonged to their life. He remained with them until their death, and in 1849 set up his own household upon the estate, where he continued to reside until called hence March 30, 1890, since which time the estate has been owned by his son, of whom we write.

The mother of our subject was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, to which her father, Jeremiah Sturgeon, had removed from Scotland, his native land. Both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Andrews, spent their last years in the Emerald Isle. Mrs. Perrin, a brother John, and a sister Ellen, were the only members of the family who came to America, whose shores Mrs. Perrin reached when a young lady. After a well-spent life, she breathed her last October 27, 1878.