Cumberland County, Maine - Colonel John P. Perley
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Biography
Colonel John P. Perley
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 538-539


Colonel John P. Perley, formerly a much esteemed resident of Bridgton, was born
July 31, 1815, on the home farm in that town, son of John and Sarah (Treadwell)
Perley. His grandfather, Enoch Perley, was the original owner of the homestead.
John Perley, who was also born on this farm, spent his life there, engaged in
agriculture and other pursuits. He was a prominent man in his time, having held
the rank of General in the State militia for several years. He died May 13,
1841. His wife, Sarah, who was a native of Massachusetts, born August 26, 1782,
died September 30, 1860. They reared the following children: John P., the
subject of this sketch; Susan H., wife of Dr. Moses Gould; Mary M., wife of
Rensellaer Cram; Augustus; Sarah A., wife of the Hon. Marshall Cram, of
Brunswick; Frederick, a graduate of Bowdoin College; and three that died young.

Colonel John P. Perley acquired the rudiments of his education in a district
school in Bridgton. Subsequently he pursued a more advanced course of study at
Bridgton Academy and at Gorham Seminary. Before attaining his majority he was
called to the charge of the homestead. Thereafter, for the rest of his life, he
gave his attention chiefly to general farming. His real estate possessions
included about fifteen hundred acres of land, some of which was the heaviest
timber land in the State. The homestead proper contains four hundred acres.
Colonel Perley was regarded as a high authority on agricultural questions, and
was a prominent member of the County Agricultural Association. He was a Director
of the Bridgton Savings Bank and of the Pondicherry mills, being a large
stockholder of each firm; and he was a Trustee of the Bridgton Academy. It was
largely through him that the Bridgton & Saco River Railroad was built.

In politics he was originally a Whig, one of the men who voted for the first
Harrison and took an active part in the campaign for "Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
He. joined the Republicans upon the formation of that party, and represented his
district in the State legislature in 1861, 1862, and 1865. He was also prominent
in local affairs, and served as Selectman and Town Treasurer for several terms.
In religious belief he was a Congregationalist, working zealously for the
advancement of his church. Colonel Perley was noted for his liberality and
public spirit, and was universally esteemed. He died November 9, 1890; and his
remains are interred in the private cemetery on the homestead.

June 25, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Clarissa Ingalls, who was
born in Bridgton, May 27, 1817, daughter of Captain Asa and Phoebe (Berry)
Ingalls. She died November 3, 1892; and her remains rest beside those of her
husband in the private cemetery on the homestead. Mrs. Perley also was a member
of the Congregational church. Colonel Perley's adopted children were: Miranda F.
Potter, Mary F. and Annette E. Farnham. He gave all the same education and
advantages as though they were his own children. The homestead was left to the
youngest daughter, Annette E. She was united in marriage with Robert A. Barnard,
a young man who was born and reared in Bridgton. Soon after their marriage Mr.
and Mrs. Barnard went to Knight's Ferry, Cal., where Mr. Barnard managed a sheep
ranch for some four years. They then returned to Bridgton, and lived at the
homestead of Mr. Barnard's father until 1892, when they moved to the Perley
estate. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have two children - Evelyn F. and Ruth A.