The main character in today’s post was one of 13 children in his family, and then he and his wife had 11 children of their own. It sounds similar to the story of Mama Wunderlich that I republished yesterday. I find it interesting that today’s tale includes a couple named Mary and Joseph.

Joseph and Mary (Kraml) Perr had their 8th child born on March 25, 1887, making today that child’s 137th birthday. The boy was named Martin Theodor Perr. Martin was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. An image of his baptism record is shown here.

At some point prior to 1900, the Joseph Perr family had this photograph taken. I do not have a listing of all the people in the picture, but I figure Martin must have been one of the younger sons near the front.

Martin is found in the 1900 census at the age of 13. There were 11 children in this household at the time. Martin’s father was farming in the Shawnee Township.

Martin would get married before the next census, so we will now look at the woman who would become his bride. Her name was Wilhelmine Karoline Louise Borchelt, who was born on October 5, 1891. Louise was the daughter of August and Amalie (Oehlert) Borchelt. Louise was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills. Our research library does not have actual records from that congregation, but we do have a binder which lists information about such things as baptisms. Louise’s baptism information is shown here.

When the 1900 census was taken, the Borchelt family was living in the Randol Township in Cape Girardeau County. Louise was 8 years old, and her father was a farmer.

Martin Perr married Louise Borchelt on August 12, 1909 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills. A record of this wedding is found in the Egypt Mills binder. This record says they were married in 1908, but I suspect that is a mistake.

We can also view this couple’s marriage license which says they were married in 1909.

Our German Family Trees lists the 11 children born to Martin and Louise, all of which were baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. In the 1910 census, we find just Martin and Louise. Their first child was not born until 1911.

Martin had his World War I draft registration completed in 1917. It gave him a Neely’s Landing address and said he had 3 children.

When the 1920 census was taken, we find the Perr household with 4 children. In addition to the Martin Perr household, we see 2 other Perr households on the same page. Edward and Herman were two of Martin’s brothers.

In a later plat map produced in 1930, we find several Perr farms located in the same general area near New Wells. None of those farms is identified as Martin Perr. I think Martin may have been farming on the land listed as belonging to Fred. Perr, et.al. Fred was a brother who never married.

The 1930 census displays 4 Perr households, including that of Martin. There were 9 children in his household. The other Perr brothers also had children. There were certainly plenty of Perr’s living in this neighborhood. In addition, Fred Perr is listed on the previous page living with just his widowed mother.

The 1940 census shows 7 remaining children in the Martin Perr household.

Martin had his World War II draft card completed in 1942. It gave him an Altenburg address, but that could be because certain addresses around New Wells would receive their mail through the Altenburg post office. Or, perhaps he had already moved his family to Altenburg.

Martin did move his family to Perry County at some point in time after the 1940 census was taken and was living in or near Altenburg. His mother died in 1943, and her obituary shown below says Martin was from Altenburg.

The 1950 census shows the Perr’s living in the Brazeau Township of Perry County. There were 2 daughters and a married son, Hugo, whose wife was also living in this household. Martin, at the age of 63, was doing concrete work and odd jobs.

A 1960 Cape Girardeau city directory finds Martin and Louise listed as living there.

Louise Perr died in 1961 at the age of 69. Her death certificate is pictured below.

Martin Perr died in 1981 at the age of 94, too recently to view his death certificate. Both Martin and Louise Perr are buried in the Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Now that you have read this story, you should be aware that the vicinity around New Wells was once populated by a multitude of Perr-sonnel.