James T. Perrill
Among the farmers of Fayette county who believe in following twentieth-century methods in the conduct of their business, is James T. Perrill, of the vicinity of Union township. He comes of a splendid family, one that has alwavs been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality and for all that contributes to the well-being of the commonwealth. Such people are welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields and thriving villages and cities.
James T. Perrill. known as one of the most thorough and painstaking farmers of this section, living on his homestead of two hundred acres located about three and one-half miles from Washington C. H., first saw the light of day on November 23, 1866. He was born on the old Perrill home in Jasper township, this county, the son of James and Rebecca (Chenoweth) Perrill. James, father of the subject, was born near Cynthiana in Pike county, his father having been a native of Virginia. He was a farmer throughout his life and came to this county when a boy of twelve years. Previous to that, his father died and was buried in Pike county. Upon coming to this county. James Perrill settled in Jasper township, where he became known as one of the successful and influential citizens. He passed the remainder of his life there and is buried near his old home. The subject is one of a family of seven children, being the fourth child in order of birth. The oldest child of the family died in earliest infancy; the second child is Mrs. Jennie Shoup, whose husband is assistant superintendent of the Chicago (Illinois) schools and a man very prominent in educational circles, being assistant to Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, Chicago's famous woman superintendent. The third child of the family is May, then comes John, whose wife was Grace Burnett. Carrie married Charles Beard, who is a farmer near Oaktown, Indiana, in the fertile Wabash valley. Gilbert, the voungest of the family, married Anna Slagle.
When a youth, the subject received an excellent education. He first attended the schools of Jasper township, near the Perrill home, later attending the Mallow school and received the higher grades at Waverly, this state. He was interested in the work about the home farm from the time of his early boyhood and received from his father careful training in all that goes to make a successful farmer. When twenty-two years of age he decided upon agriculture as his life vocation and at that time began working for himself. His first venture along this line was the renting of a certain tract of land, which he farmed for some time with good results. He some time later purchased his present farm and has made that his home for the past twenty-five years. He is an excellent farmer, meeting with excellent results in his crops and finding the raising of live stock a lucrative side line.
On March 27, 1889, Mr. Perrill was united in marriage with Nona Henkle, daughter of Curran and Caroline Henkle. Mr. and Mrs. Perrill have been blessed with three children, the eldest of whom is their daughter Ruth, who is the wife of John W. Shoup, and the mother of one daughter. Naomi Marion, who is a graduate of high school. Virgil, eldest son of the subject, received his elementary education in the schools of this locality, later attending the Chicago Western University at Chicago, Illinois, being graduated from that institution of learning with the class of 1910. Williard H., the youngest of the family, is in school.
Mr. Perrill is at present serving Union township as trustee, but as a rule does not desire public office for himself, being more interested in seeing others with such ambitions reach the goal for which they aspire. Mr. Perrill's fraternal affiliation is with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he feels a keen interest in all that pertains to the well-being of that society. In every avenue of life's activities Mr. Perrill has performed his part to the best of his ability, believing that what was worth doing at all was worthy of his best efforts, the result being that he has won and retains to a notable degree the sincere respect and confidence of all who know him. He has a vast field of acquaintances, among whom are many loyal, stanch and devoted friends and wherever he goes he receives a hearty welcome. Because of his genuine worth and interest in the community, he is specifically entitled to mention in a work of this character.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)