Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-02-23
JONATHAN PERRIN.

JONAlHAN PERRIS.
It is due to the memory of Mr.. Perrin 10
say that it was late before request was
made for a sketch of his life and character.
Only time sufficient interviewed to collect
few incidents OF his history. His life, so far
as | can learn, was not marked by any unus-
ual or startling events; but, like the placid,
tranquil stream, flowed smoothly on from
its beginning to its close. But, il the even,
uniform current of his being was unbroken
by cataracts and whirlpools which might
have excited feelings OF wonder and aston
ishment, yet its borders were adorned with
flowers and fruits which awakened emotions
oil contentmcnt and satisfaction.
Mr.. Perrin was born on farm in Bed
ford county, Penn, July II, 1905. His
parents came to Ohio when he wns ten
years old, leaving him behind in the care
Of an uncle. A year afterwards a neigh.
Dor OF his uncle removing to the west, was
paid SIS 90 to bring the boy to his parents,
who had settled in that part of Fairfield
county, now Franklin, and not far from
Columbus. The boy walked the entire
distance, carrying a shot gun and driving
the heneighbor's cattle. Hefrequently spoke
in pleasant manner, of paving SIS 90 for
the privilege of working his way ON foot
from Pennsylvania into Ohio.
1t wns not long after Jonathan arrived
at his fathers house that the latter died
leaving n widow and eight children, five OF
the children being younger than Jonathan
His mother being thus situated subject tc
all the privations and hardships of pionee,
life, with large family of helpless chill
dren demanding her care and protection
this boy stepped forward, assumed the DO
sition OF male head of the family and de-
voted himself to the aid of his mother in
rearing those children. And right well
did he discharge the duties he had yoIun.
tarily assumed as evidenced bv the graft.
tude uniformly expressed by his brothers
and sisters in after life. He kept the fam.
lily together until he arrived at the age OF
nineteen years when his mother died and
the home circle wRs broken. Generally
those men are denominated heroes, who
are most successful in destroying human
life and producing the greatest sum OF mis-
cry to the greatest number, but would ii
not be more cOnsonnnt with our notions OF
christian civilization, to regard those ai
truly great, who, forgetting self, conse,
crate their energies to the promotion
of others welfare? OF the great numbe,
whose names are found in the history oI
our country and upon its official rolls, how
many OF them possessed the genuine no
bleness OF soul that would have led them
10 sacrifice their own ease, comfort and
worldly success, for the purpose of keeping
together and rearing 10 usefulness and re.
spectability, family Of helpless children
as did the boy, Jonathan Perrin? From
that time until his death, he received, as
he deserved, their blessings. 1t was IN in.
cident in his life upon which he could re.
fleet with complncency, for "if man ha,
right to be proud Of anything, It's n good
action, done as it ought TO be without any
cold suggestions Of interest lurking at the
bottom of it,"
After thefnmily was broken up Mr.. Per.
rim went to Delaware, in this State, and
there learned the trade Of carpenter and
joiner from General Hinton. who afterwards
became widely known throughout the
Northwest as the General superintendent OF
the numerous stage lines of Mel, Moore q
Co. From Delaware he came to Lower
Sandusky, now Fremont, and remained
there only long enough to erect one dwell.
ing. The late Sardis Birchard became
acquainted with him while there and
discovered elements of character in him
which made Mr.. Birchard particularly
anxious to have the yonng carpenter re.
main with him; but Elijah Huntington,
who had married a cOusion Of Mr.. Perrin
and was settled at PerIysburg, persuaded
him to come to the latter place. lie came
IN 1927 and worked at his trade there until
1887 or '3S.
On April 2sth, 1880, he was married by
Elijah Huntington, j. r., to Amelia viii
kison, at the then hamlet or village OF
Orleans, situate on the fiat adjoining Fort
Meigs. The union proved to be fortunate
as their journey together through more
than foEty-six years, subject to the priya-
tions, sickness and sunerngs incident 10
the early days OF the Maumee Valley was
yet marked by an unusual degree of peace,
quietnde and happiness. am gratihed to
be able TO state that we have the pleasure
OF meeting Mrs. Perrin here to-day.
Mr.. Perrin had about concluded 10 ouit
working at his trade and go upon a farm
on account Of hemorrhSge Of the lungs,