Douglas County OR Archives Biographies.....John Perdue Jr., John Perdue Sr. August 30, 1818 - February 1901 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Janet King JPerdue192@aol.com March 7, 2009, 12:36 pm Author: Portrait & Biographical Record of Willamette Valley Oregon, Chapman Publishing County, Chicago, 1903 JOHN PERDUE, Among the pioneer families which took up the burden of existence in Oregon in 1850, none have been associated with more wholesome and practical advancement than that to which William, John and Leonard Perdue belong. The better to understand the influences under which these successful brothers were reared and started upon their respective careers, it is advisable to recapitulate the career of the founder of the name in the west, that John Perdue after whom his second son is named. For many years the Perdue family was well known in Giles county, W. Va., where it was identified with large land ownership, and with extensive farming interests. Here the elder John Perdue was born in 1817, and continued to live until his marriage with Mary F. Mills. born in Mercer county, Va., in 1822. Removing to another farm with his wife, he made Virginia his home until 1843, in which years he moved overland to Missouri, settling at the end of his long journey upon a farm, wild and remote from all evidences of civilization. Here their oldest son, William was born, and here the father cleared a portion of his land and gained a fair start in general farming. As the years passed his neighborhood was sought after by other home-builders, and many there were who yielded to the entrancing accounts of wealth and opportunity in the west, and left with their families as early as 1849. However, Mr. Perdue did not dispose of his farm until the spring of 1850, when he invested part of his money in a comfortable outfit for crossing the plains, taking with him furnishings, clothes and provisions with which to start life anew in the far west. About the most important part of his outfit, a large herd of cattle and horses, was stolen by the Indians during the progress of the journey, thus lessening their facilities for gaining a foothold in the new home. Mr. Perdue first settled near Roseburg, Douglas county, but later took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres east of Canyonville, thirteen miles, where he lived for many years, and upon which he made many improvements. In these days he combined farming and school teaching to some extent and he was one of the first teachers in his vicinity. Eventually he took up land sixteen miles from Canyonville, on the South Umpqua river, and upon a corner of which the little town of Perdue came into existence. This was the last home of this earnest and successful pioneer, and here himself and wife both died at the age of eighty and within eleven months of each other. Mr. Perdue took quite an interest in politics, and served as postmaster of Perdue for a number of years. His farms were famous for the high grade horses and cattle which found their way on the markets, and he was an excellent judge of fine stock of all kinds. He equipped his properties with many modern innovations, and was wisely progressive both as to farming and general relations of life. His wife was a member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and her father, as well as his own, were ministers in that denomination. Mr. Perdue was honored for his uprightness and high moral character, and the old saying that his word was as good as his bond in no way exaggerates his standing in the community. He was personally genial and pleasant to meet, and the many friends attracted by his nobility of character were never known to wander from their allegiance. The son and namesake of the emigrant John was born on his father's farm near Roseburg January 28, 1854, and received a practical education in the public schools. After his marriage with Mecy Tiller, a native daughter whose family crossed the plains in 1854, he went to housekeeping near Perdue post- office, and lived there for about eight years. He then purchased his present home of three hundred and twenty acres one and a half miles south of Day's Creek post office, and has since made all the improvements which give to his property great value and productiveness. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising both on his home farm and on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres further up the river. A Republican in politics, Mr. Perdue has filled about all of the minor officies in his neighborhood, and has invariably thrown his influence on the side of good government, being expecially interested in promoting good roads and education. His standing is best indicated by his promience in the time-honored and noble organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Perdue have eight children, of whom Samuel lives in this vicinity; Mrs. Alfa Catching and Mrs. Dora Catching live in Portland; John W. is a resident of Leavenworth, Wash., and Fred, Edward and Elva live with their parents on the home farm. Additional Comments: John Perdue & Mary F. Miles married 15 Jan 1844 in Mercer Co., West Virginia. He was son of Thomas and Eleanor Perdue They had seven children: Mary Jane Perdue born 14 Feb 1845 Eleanor Perdue born 6 April 1848 William Perdue born 22 Feb 1850 Martha Perdue born 28 Jan 1854 John Perdue born 28 Jan 1854 Delila Perdue born 1 Aug 1856 John Perdue Jr married 24 Dec 1877 to Mecy Tiller she was the daughter of Aaron and Rachel Russell Tiller. He died 21 Nov 1929 and Mecy 4 Dec 1934. They had eight children: Samuel Perdue born 23 Sept 1878 Alfa Perdue ca 1878 Lillie Perdue Nov 1880 Dora Perdue ca 1882 John W. Perdue Jan 1885 Fred Perdue 18 April 1887 Edward Perdue Sept 1889 Elva Perdue Oct 1892 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/douglas/bios/johnperd535gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb