John Harrison Perrine, proprietor of the well known
"Cotton Wood Stock Farm," consisting of 305 acres, situated in sections i
and 14, Hilyard township, Macoupin County, is one of the prominent and
substantial farmers and stock raisers of this portion of the State. Mr.
Perrine was born September 13, 1846, in Pickaway County, Ohio, but has been
a resident of Hilyard township since 1856. He is a son of Daniel and Emily
(Doyle) Perrine.
As far back as the closing year of the
Revolutionary War, the Perrine family resided in New Jersey, and Mathew
Perrine, our subject's greatgrandfather, served in the patriot army. His son
William, one of seven children, was born in New Jersey and married Rachel
Lippincott, who was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. After the birth of
four children, they moved to Ohio, where our subject's grandmother died, and
the grandfather died soon after coming to Illinois, a few years later.
Daniel Perrine, father of John H., was born July 4, 1822, in Monmouth
County, New Jersey, and came to Illinois and settled in Jersey County, in
1851. He married Emily Doyle who was born in Perry County, Ohio, and died in
Macoupin County, Illinois, September 7, 1884, aged 56 years. They had 12
children, namely: John H., of this sketch; William, of Morrisonville,
Illinois; Hattie, who died at the age of 20 years; Mrs. Ann Coulter of
Alton; Mrs. Jane Huchelbridge, of Louisiana; Mrs. Clara Huddleston, of
Farmerville, Illinois; Mrs. Emma Jones, of Gillespie township; Mrs. Dora
Trabue; Alice, who died at the age of three years; Edwin, who died at the
age of 34 years; Mrs. Effie Chappel, who is living on the old homestead; and
Mrs. Kate Simonson, of Saratoga, Wyoming.
Our subject was five years
of age when he came to Illinois, and he has lived in Hilyard township,
Macoupin County, for the past 48 years. The wonderful changes which have
taken place in the county's settlement and civilization are no more
remarkable than are the changes which Mr. Perrine has brought about in his
own fortunes. From a capital consisting of nothing but health, industry,
energy and honesty, he has arisen to be one of the county's capitalists, and
where he was once obliged to pay 10 per cent, interest on every dollar he
borrowed, the banks are anxious to lend him their whole capital without a
sign of security. For many years his name has given confidence to many
investors, his probity, honor and integrity equaling his substantiability.
When Mr. Perrine first started out in life, he found it necessary to
command a small capital, in order to carry out enterprises which his
judgment and foresight saw would bring about great results. He computes that
he has paid something like $10,000 in interest money. He has been very
prominent in all agricultural movements in his section of the county and
much credit is due him for the reputation the section has for its
magnificent showing of cattle and stock. In addition to large operations in
buying, selling and shipping, his stock farm has some of the finest
specimens of horses, cattle and hogs, to be found in the State. With four
other prominent stock men, he owns a share in the Hilyard Township Horse
Company. They imported the magnificent French Percheron stallion "Brave," at
a cost of $2,000. On his own farm he has 150 head of Poland-China hogs and a
large herd of Polled Durham cattle, with these three fine registered animals
at their head: "Red Joe," No. 1549; "John Brown, Jr.," No. 1895, and the
cow, "Christmas Eve," No. 1894. During the early years of the Farmers'
Mutual Benefit Association, Mr. Perrine was county vice-president and also
county purchasing agent and for a long period was much interested in
furthering the designs of the organization, looking to the improvement of
agricultural conditions.
On October 12, 1871, Mr. Perrine was
married to Maria Elizabeth Jones, who was born November 21, 1850, in Allen
County, Kentucky, and is a daughter of Ambrose and Mary (Wilson) Jones, the
former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. Both died in
Gillespie township, Macoupin County, having moved to Illinois when Mrs.
Perrine was six months old. They have four children: Grace May, Anna Myrtle
(deceased). James Harrison and Mary Ethel. Mr. Perrine attended Shurtleff
College at Alton, and Mrs. Perrine took a four-years Chautauqua course,
receiving a diploma, and their children have benefited by having intelligent
and educated parents. All have had excellent educational opportunities, the
eldest daughter attending the Western Normal College at Bushnell and also
perfecting herself in vocal and instrumental music and becoming a successful
teacher. She is now the wife of Orville Dey of Hilyard township and they
have two children — Lola Inez and Florence Grace. Ethel is also an
accomplished musician and a graduate of the Bunker Hill Academy. Harrison
attended Bushnell College and Bunker Hill Military Academy.
Mr.
Perrine was reared a Republican, but later became a Populist and now votes
independently. He has never cared for political office, his interests being
mainly centered in agricultural affairs and in his church, home and family.
He is one of the most liberal supporters of the Corrington Chapel, and is
one of the trustees. The family residence is probably one of the most
imposing in the township and is surrounded by barns and outbuildings that
testify to the extensive operations carried on here. The farm has a name
well known beyond local circles and its products bring the highest price in
the market.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 403-405.
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