Abraham Perrin No sketch of the neighborhood would be complete that omitted to mention the two brothers Perrin. They came among us in 1831 or 1832, from Monroe county, N.Y. During many years they worked in company, and their interests were so identified that a sketch of one would very largely describe the business of both. They bought the west 1/2 of southwest 1/4 section 2, and the east 1/2 of southeast 1/4 of section 3, and divided it into north and south halves, the first named taking the north half. In 1832 they commenced building a sawmill on the river Rouge, which was set running the next year. This proved valuable to the neighborhood and profitable to the proprietors. After a year or two turning lathes were added which brought chair and cabinet shops into existence, and a spirit of enterprise became active. Blacksmith shops, wagon shops and dwellings sprang into existence, and soon the place assumed the aspect of a village. This was at first called Trenton, subsequently Perrinsville. In 1842 a building was erected near the sawmill and wool carding and cloth dressing machinery put into it. In this latter business Daniel and Enos Straight became partners. Jonathan Dean of Eaton county, an expert, was employed to aid the new firm in acquiring a knowledge of the business. The first dwelling of Abraham Perrin was of logs and stood nearly opposite across the street from the present Methodist church. He subsequently built a large framed house, which has at times been used as a hotel. A serious domestic affliction befell this family the first spring after his settlement. His little daughter Polly was burned to death in the sugar bush by her clothes taking fire. Mr. Perrin prospered in business and for some years was considered the first man, financially, in the place; but in the events of years, the mill and other machinery became unprofitable and was allowed to go to decay. The little village put on an appearance of unthrift, and his financial condition sympathized with his surroundings, and he died in poor circumstances in 1871, aged 71 years. His life was on of respectability. He was a member of the Baptist church, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. His wife, whose maiden name of Phebe Barber, recently died in Detroit. They raised a family of two sons and five daughters, none of whom are living in the place.
Isaac F. Perrin besides his manufacturing interests, paid much attention to his farm on which he set out a large orchard of choice apples. He built a house in 1834, and in September of that year he married Miss Hannah Ann, daughter of Rev. Marcus Swift, and went immediately to housekeeping in his new house from which he never moved. His wife died in 1863, leaving two daughters, one having died six years before, aged 21 years; the other, Sarah A., is the wife of Dr. Thos. Morrison of Wayne, and a very estimable woman. Mr. Perrin subsequently married the widow of Zenas Glass. He died July 3, 1867, aged 62 years. He was a man of enterprise, and entered with spirit into any movement calculated to benefit his neighborhood. He was a leading man in the Methodist church, a good neighbor and an enduring friend.
Thomas Dickerson was a native of New Jersey. From there he went to Pennsylvania, thence to Palmyra, N.Y. He joined our pioneer circle in 1831. He bought of the government the northeast 1/4 of section 10, June 2, 1831, and immediately commenced building a house thereon. He brought his family before locating his land. While the house was building he found accommodations for his family in the east wing of Marcus Swift’s house. His first house was built for temporary use. It was placed about 40 rods west of the east line of the farm on the north bank of the brook. After two or three years he built a cheap framed house a few rods west of it. He was a blacksmith, and the first of that craft among us. He built a log shop near his house, burned a coal pit to procure charcoal, and from his shop could be heard the clink of his hammer, as he did sundry jobs for his neighbors for a series of years. In 1836 he built a large frame barn near his house which still stands, though houses and ship have long since gone to decay. When Mr. Dickerson came among us, he left in Pennsylvania, three of his oldest children. Those he brought with him were Phebe G., John and Davis, all grown to full stature, Rhoda Ann, a girl of 12 years, Mahlon and William . Phebe married Elronzo Thomas, son of Alanson Thomas of Dearborn, in 1832 or 3. He owned and occupied a farm on section 13. She reared a family of children, and died many years ago. The family have all passed out of my knowledge. John Dickerson died unmarried in 1840. Davis married Miss Amanda Dean, daughter of David S. Dean, then of Nankin, and removed to Kent county, and died within the present years. Rhoda Ann married David Hicks and has always resided on a farm on section 13. She has reared a family of children. In recent years an accident to her hip joint will compel her to walk, the rest of her days, on crutches. Mahlon married Miss Isabella Felton, reared a family of children and died in Montcalm county, in 1888. William L., the youngest son, learned the wagon maker’s trade and worked at it may years. By great industry and economy he succeeded in purchasing of the heirs, titles to the greater part of his father’s farm, and has since resided thereon. In 1853 he married Miss Olive Litchfield of Dexter, who has shared his fortune since that time. They have also reared a family of children. Joseph L. Dickerson, one of the children left in Pennsylvania, followed his father, arriving a year or two later, and commenced business as a blacksmith in Perrinsville; after a few years he went to Kent county, where he died in recent years. Thos. Dickerson, the subject of this sketch, was an active and leading member of the M. E. church, and a class leader from the time of his coming among us till the great secession of 1841. He did not see his way clear to go with the majority, but gave the hand of Christian fellowship to those who did go. He died in the summer of 1842, aged 58 years. The family has always sustained a reputation for honesty, industry and respectability.
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