Perley, Frederick Porter (1797-1881)

PERLEY

Posted By: Rosemary Hoover (email)
Date: 4/19/2008 at 22:02:25

History & Genealogy of the Perley Family
Compiled by Martin Van Buren Perley-375
Published by the Compiler, 1906, Salem, MA.

Family 140: Perley
Lineal Descent - Allan-1, Thomas-4, Thomas-16, Asa-35, Daniel-68.

FREDERIC PORTER PERLEY was born in Bridgton, Me., 18 Oct., 1797. When about sixteen years old, he went to Brighton, Mass., and after about two years shipped for St. John, N.B., for Husons & Co., as second mate and carpenter. He made several voyages to the West Indies and the Spanish coast. He then assisted in building two merchant vessels, on the Salmon river, for the same firm. There he found his "first mate," Miss Elizabeth Earle, who was born in St. John 24 April, 1800, to Henry and Jerusha-Lummeraux Earle from New Jersey. Her father took part in the Revolutionary War under Gen. Anthony Wayne and was severely wounded. They married at Grand Lake, N.B., 1 Aug., 1825. In 1829, Mr. Perley went to Houlton, Me.; in 1831, into Canada; in 1839, into Ohio; in 1845, into Indiana, and in 1873 to Spring Hill, Iowa, where he settled down with his brother William, wiser for the experience and not on its account impaired in health. He was living in Michigan City, Indiana, in 1874.

Mr. Perley took part in the War of 1812, for which he received a pension. He also took part in the Canadian Rebellion; but, says his son Asa, "I do not think John Bull appreciated his services, as he gets no pension for it." Asa further says: "Father has led a wandering and unsettled life, and has met with many adventures, both on sea and land. I think if his whole life were written out, it would rival the story of the Wandering Jew or Robinson Crusoe." He died 5 April, 1881, and reposes in a little cemetery near Spring Hill, Iowa. His widow died there 28 Aug., 1897.

1 Perley children: William Earl-280, Asa Charles-281, George Augustus-282, Jerusha Ann, David Poor-283.

2 Jerusha A. was born 19 April, 1834, in Toronto, Canada, and married 1 Oct., 1854, in Laporte, Indiana, and became the second wife of Frederick Charles Knubbe, born in Province of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, 6 Nov., 1832, to Charles Knubbe. His first wife was Annis Clement. He was a merchant tailor in Michigan City, Ind., and was considered among the wealthiest. They were members of the Episcopal church. He died in Des Moines, Iowa, 26 Oct., 1890. His widow resides in Indianapolis, Ind. Their children, born in Michigan City: William Albert, born 27 Feb., 1858, died in Des Moines, Iowa, 5 Jan., 1892; Anna Frances, born 8 Dec., 1861, who graduated in 1878 from the Michigan City High School, and resides with her mother,; Mary Belle.

3 Mary B. was born 23 Dec., 1863. She married in Michigan City, 25 Nov., 1884, William Fortune, who was born in Booneville, Ind., 27 May, 1863, to William H., a jeweler, and Mary-St. Claire Fortune. She died 28 Sept., 1898, in Indianapolis, where he now resides (Feb., 1905). Mr. Fortune is a publisher. A sketch of his life may be found in the Encyclopedia of Biography of Indiana, Vol. II, Men of Progress of Indiana, and Memoirs of Indianapolis. Their children: Russell, born 12 Sept., 1885; Evelyn, born 30 Sept.,1887; Madeline, born 12 Nov., 1889.