Hon. John B. Perham Portrait and Biographical Record, Pages 418, 419 HON. JOHN B. PERHAM, a prosperous business man and leading merchant of Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Mich., has for twenty-seven years been identified with his present line of trade, and for thirty years resided in the same locality of the State, at first engaging in the avocation of a teacher. Born in Franklin County, N.Y., our subject was the second in a family of seven children, six of whom survived to mature years. Lorin O. is a well-known druggist of Spring Lake; John B. is our subject; Phœbe, the widow of Henry Cleveland, conducts a business at Nunica; Jane, Mrs. Perry, resides in Narragansett Bay, N.J.; Mary, married, resides in Jefferson County, N.Y.; and Jason is a druggist of Kent County, Mich. The parents of our subject, Levi and Martha (Sole) Perham, were long-time residents of New York, in which State the mother was born, the father being a native of Vermont. The Perhams are among the leading families of the East, and for generations have been numbered with the successful merchants and professional men of New England and the Empire State. Mr. Perham received his education and early training in his native county, but at seventeen years of age, beginning life for himself, was employed in the Government survey in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. After devoting one season to this employment, he taught school three winters in Grundy County, Ill., and prospected in the summer through Minnesota and Kansas. At the expiration of this length of time, he found employment as a teacher in Spring Lake, and engaged in that avocation for three continuous years, then entering into the business in which he yet remains and which he has so profitably handled for so long a time. His partner was the Hon. Allen C. Adsit, of Kent County, and both of the firm being energetic and enterprising the business throve and was soon one of the best in this part of Ottawa County. After eight years Mr. Perham bought out his partner, and has since conducted merchandising alone, and now has the largest store and greatest variety of goods offered to the custom of the buyers of Spring Lake and its vicinity. In 1868 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Cassie Cross, daughter of Samuel Cross. Mr. and Mrs. Perham have a foster-daughter, but no children of their own. They are both valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have been professing Christians for many years, our subject especially being active in the support and extension of religious work and influence. For four years he has been President of the Ottawa County Sunday-School Association, and for twenty years has been Superintendent of two Sunday-schools in Spring Lake. In all local matters of religious interest and enterprise he has taken a prominent part, and is widely known and highly esteemed as a vital factor in the promotion of good and the elevation of humanity. When only seventeen years of age Mr. Perham joined the Good Templars and has during his entire life been a total abstainer. He was instrumental in raising money by subscription to erect the first Temperance Red Ribbon Hall in Michigan, where the Reynolds movement was inaugurated, and was its President for many years. Our subject is a pronounced Republican, and has occupied with distinction a high place in the local councils of the party. For several years he was a member of the Ottawa County Republican Committee, and in 1880 was elected to the State Legislature, and with ability and to the great satisfaction of his constituents held the office two terms. For two terms our subject also discharged the duties of Supervisor of Spring Lake, and was also Town Clerk two terms. For twenty-five years as an efficient member of the School Board Mr. Perham has materially aided in the advancement of educational facilities in the county, and has been a true and faithful friend to all progressive interests. At the time he was a member of the Legislature he was Chairman of the Committee on Education, during his last term, and served as a member of the committee his first term. While a member of the Liquor Committee he made a canvass of the Legislature on the liquor question. He was also on the Engrossment and Enrollment Committees. Our subject enjoyed the honor of being elected as Delegate to the Republican National Convention which met at Minneapolis in 1892, and served as Chairman in the convention of the Fifth District of Michigan, at which time he was selected for the responsible position. Aside from his other occupations, Mr. Perham has prosperously and extensively handled real estate, and self-reliantly winning his upward way commands the confidence of the entire community.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 16 May 2003
URL: Biographies