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'Putt' was the second of eleven children born to:
Alexander Glenn/Garrison Perdew, b. 1829 in Marietta, Washington county, OH. and d. Apr. 16, 1894 in Grapeland, San Bernardino county, CA. &
Sarah Mae Hoskinson, b. Mar. 6, 1836 in Marietta, Washington county, OH. and d. Mar. 8, 1914 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino county, CA.
Husband of 1) Sarah Elizabeth Day and 2) Georgianna (Anna) Day. Father of 15 children.
Rufus Putnam Perdew, known as 'Putt', was a very colorful figure and the subject of numerous funny stories...
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'Putt' was the second of eleven children born to:
Alexander Glenn/Garrison Perdew, b. 1829 in Marietta, Washington county, OH. and d. Apr. 16, 1894 in Grapeland, San Bernardino county, CA. &
Sarah Mae Hoskinson, b. Mar. 6, 1836 in Marietta, Washington county, OH. and d. Mar. 8, 1914 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino county, CA.
Husband of 1) Sarah Elizabeth Day and 2) Georgianna (Anna) Day. Father of 15 children.
Rufus Putnam Perdew, known as 'Putt', was a very colorful figure and the subject of numerous funny stories around the San Bernardino and Etiwanda areas. He was named for Revolutionary War General Rufus Putnam, an ancestor on his mother's side of the family.
'Putt' came to San Bernardino County, California as a boy of 6. The family traveled by ox-team, coming by the Santa Fe Route.
The following is from the 2020 memoirs of Jim E. Lamb, grandson of Rufus Putnam 'Putt' Perdew, and all of Jim's recollections are shared with his permission:
"My grandfather, Putt, was born in 1854 and with the Perdew families, came to California in 1860 or 1861, by wagon train. The first story about Putt was when he was five years old, and took place on that wagon train to California. One day, Putt (the eldest son) was put in the back of the rear wagon and told to watch for Indians or others approaching.
(I imagine it was just to keep him occupied and out of trouble!) The story goes; Putt put the gun aside, went to sleep and fell out the back of the wagon. Evidently, he tired of trying to keep up and sat down along the trail. After the train had traveled several miles, he finally was missed, and his dad rode back along the trail until he spotted him, still sitting there. When approached, he jumped up and said, "It's about time you came looking for me!"
In the 1860 census, 5 yr. old son, Rufus P.(Putnam) Perdew, b. 1854 in (Sioux City, Woodbury Co.,) IA., was living in Precinct 1, Collin Co., TX. with his
31 yr. old father, Alexander G. Perdew, a writing teacher, b. abt. 1829 in OH.
24 yr. old mother, Sarah (Hoskinson) Perdew, b. in OH.
8 yr. old sister, Mary E. (Helen), b. in OH.
1 yr. old brother, George F. (Franklin) Perdew, b. (Dec. 15, 1858) in IA.
In the 1870 U.S. census, 16 yr. old Rufus (Putnam) Perdew, b. in IA., was living in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. with his
40 yr. old father, Alexander Perdew, b. abt. 1830 in OH.
33 yr. old mother, Sarah Perdew, b. in OH.
18 yr. old sister, Mary (Helen) Perdew, b. in OH.
11 yr. old brother, (George) Franklin Perdew, b. in IA.
9 yr. old sister, (Texanna) Anna Kibby Perdew, b. in CA.
7 yr. old brother, (Joseph) Edward Perdew, b. in CA.
3 yr. old brother, (Ashbury) Ferdinand Perdew, b. in CA.
11 mth. old sister, Charlotte ('Lottie' Estella) Perdew, b. in CA.
On Jan. 21, 1880, Putt married Sarah Elizabeth Day, daughter of George Isaac & Mary Matilda/Martha Cassinda (Wright) Day.
Sarah was born 1869 in San Bernardino Co., CA., according to the Wooldridge 'Genealogy of One Branch of the Hoskinson Family' book, with input from Mamie Lamb, Mrs. Harmon Day and Mrs. Harry Hoskinson as well as according to Pioneer Cemetery records.
Because Put was 25 and Sarah Elizabeth was only 11 years old, and because her father had died, it was necessary to obtain her mother's consent.
Continuation from Jim Lamb's 2020 memoirs:
"Putt married first, Sarah Elizabeth Day in 1880. He was 25 years old and she was 14 (11) years old! Her mother, Martha Cassinda Day, signed for their permission to marry, and I have a copy of that legal document.
In November of 1887, Sarah died during childbirth of her third child, as did the baby.
On April 1, 1889, Putt married Georgianna Day, Sarah's sister, and my grandmother.
Georgianna or "Anna", was 15 years old and he was 34 years old! Anna and Putt had 12 children, my mother being the sixth born. Anna and Putt were married for 43 years when she died in January, 1932, at the age of 58."
Putt was an avid hunter, and raised bees and livestock in the Etiwanda area. Putt and his brother, As(h)bury Ferdinand 'Fade' Perdew, ran a produce and meat market for a time, located at the corner of 3rd and Utah (today's D Street) in San Bernardino. They specialized in mountain sheep and venison, which was provided by Put.
(Continuation from Jim Lamb's 2020 memoirs):
"Putt was an avid hunter. He and brother, Ashbury, owned and operated a meat and produce store in San Bernardino, at the corner of what is now 3rd and 'D' streets. Putt was also a farmer and beekeeper, and he furnished the wild game for their meat market, which consisted mostly of venison and antelope meat. He had located a spring below the foothills, in Grapeland, now known as northern Fontana, where he hunted the antelope. He would drive in a stake near the spring, and tie a red-colored rag on the stake. When the breeze blew and waved the flag, the antelope, being very inquisitive, could be lured out of the foothills down to the spring, in broad daylight, where Putt laid in wait. This way, he didn't have to wait until the evening hours, which was the antelope's normal watering time."
Strangely, in the Jul. 14. 1880 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Putnam Perdew, a Farmer, b. abt. 1855 in IA., was living in Martins, San Bernardino, CA. (next door to his parents & 6 siblings) with his
'18 yr. old' wife, 'Tercia' (Sarah Elizabeth), keeping house, b. in CA.
Rufus Putnam's parents were both b. in OH. 'Tercia's' parents were 'b. in U.S.'
Put and Sarah Elizabeth (Day) Perdew had three children;
1) Grace Lillian Perdew, b. Nov. 12, 1882 in Grapeland, S.B. Co., CA. and died April 1939 in Richmond, Contra Costa Co., CA.
2) Belle Perdew, b. Dec. 28, 1884/1885 in Grapeland, San Bernardino Co., CA. and d. Feb. 11, 1964 in Los Angeles Co., CA. Belle marr. Johannes Anthony Van Koevering.
3) an infant who died at birth, Nov. 07, 1887, along with Sarah Elizabeth, having previously contracted the measles.
The Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 3, Thu., Aug. 16, 1883
San Bernardino Items
From the Index, we select the following items: Putnam Perdew of Lytle Creek, brought into town last evening three large deer, which he had killed yesterday morning in the mountains. He shot five of them, but two were only slightly wounded and escaped.
1889 - The San Bernardino City and County Directory listed Rufus P. Perdew as a farmer.
On April 1, 1889, Putt married Sarah Elizabeth's 16 yr. old sister, Georgianna ('Anna')Day (b. May 16, 1873 in Etiwanda, California and died Jan. 11/14, 1932 in Upland, S.B. Co., CA.).
'Anna' and 'Putt' Perdew had 12 children;
1. Daisy May Perdew, b. Feb. 3, 1890 in San Bernardino, S.B. Co., CA. and d. Jul. 16, 1938 in Chino, S. B. Co., CA. Daisy marr. Christian William Niederman.
2) Birdie Leone Perdew, b. Nov. 2, 1892 in Etiwanda, S. B. Co., CA. and d. 1978 in Upland, S. B. Co., CA. Birdie married Adam Bryden.
3) Josie Perdew, b. Nov. 11, 1894 and d. Nov. 13, 1905 at the age of 11.
4) Rufus Putnam Jr. ('Doc') Perdew, b. Jun. 11, 1897 in Grapeland, S.B. Co., CA. (according to San Bernardino Birth records) and d. Jul. 4, 1948 in Ontario, S.B. Co., CA. 'Doc' married Ernestina Carpena.
5) Florence Perdew, b. Jul. 10, 1900 in San Bernardino, S.B. Co., CA. and d. abt. 1970 in Upland, S.B. Co., CA. Florence marr. Carl Stewart Graves.
6) Mary ('Mame') Perdew, b. Sep. 2, 1902 in Etiwanda, S. B. Co., CA. and d. May 2, 1975 in San Antonio Hospital, Upland, S.B. Co., CA. 'Mame' marr. Louis Clinton Lamb.
7) Etta Mae (changed from Henrietta Wanda) Perdew, b. Sep. 19, 1904 in San Bernardino, S. B. Co., CA. and d. Dec. 17, 1975, in Upland, S.B. Co., CA. 'Etta' marr. Peryman Hubbard Evans.
8) George Ralph Perdew, b. Jan. 11, 1907 in San Bernardino,S.B. Co., CA. and d. abt. 1971, in San Jacinto, Riverside Co., CA. Ralph marr. 1) Dorothy Kaufman, 2) Marcia __ and 3) Grace Zingler.
9) Victor Perdew, b. Jan. 5, 1909 in Etiwanda, S. B. Co., CA. (according to San Bernardino Birth records) and d. Sep. 8, 1962, Lake Arrowhead, S.B. Co., CA. Victor marr. 1) Odessa McLaughlin and 2) Mrs. Joyce L. (Russell) Sather.
10) Hazel Elizabeth Perdew, b. Mar. 28, 1911 in Etiwanda, S.B. Co., CA. and d. May 8, 1977, San Bernardino, S. B. Co., CA. Hazel marr. Theodore Roosevelt Lamb.
11) Douglas Steven(s) Perdew, b. Jan. 5, 1914 in Upland, S.B. Co., CA. (according to San Bernardino Birth records, where he is listed as the 11th child) and d. Mar. 2, 1958 in Medford, Jackson Co., OR. Douglas marr. Sara Harrietta Mapstead.
12) Benjamin Greenberry Ferdinand Rubidoux Benton Perdew, b. Jan. 6, 1916 in Upland, San Bernardino, CA. (according to San Bernardino County Birth records) and d. Oct. 25, 1977 in Joplin, Jasper, MO. Benjamin marr. 10 Maudie Balding/Baldwin and 2) Mrs. Vada (Lewis) Campbell.
The Daily Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 3, Col. 2
Wed., Sep. 18, 1889
Item from: SHORT MENTION
Putt Perdew, who came into the city yesterday, reports that the great fire on the western plains did far more damage than was at first supposed. The dwelling house of Mr. Aleck Perdew and all his outhouses were licked up by the insatiable flames, despite the utmost efforts of the family and neighbors to stay the advance of the fire. From nine to fifteen dwelling houses are reported burned, among them the Perdew and Sansevain houses. Other valuable property has also been destroyed. The estimate of loss in houses, fences, hay, farming utensils, etc., varies from $10,000 to $20,000.
(Jim Lamb continues): "Old Putt was a drinker, and most of the time, he could handle his booze. However, one story when he had overindulged, took place at the Sycamore Inn, (the early one, that burnt down, not the present-day restaurant). The original Inn supposedly was built in 1848, and very near its present location on Route 66, Foothill Blvd., in Upland, California. Apparently, the Inn was where some of the pioneer families would come together on a Saturday night to enjoy some food, dancing and socializing. While the adults danced downstairs, the older children would watch the younger children upstairs. The dances would go on most of the night, then, most in the morning would hitch up their wagons and head for home or church on Sunday. On one of these occasions, Putt had more to drink than he should have, and got mad because his sister would not dance with him. He went out to the wagon, got his rifle and began shooting up the place! Miraculously, he only hit one person and that was his sister, in the arm. Through all the commotion, he realized he may have killed someone, and took off. He went and hid out in the swamp, now a part of Costa Mesa. After a few years, he found out that he had wounded his sister, and all charges were dropped, so he went back home to his family."
The Daily Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 3, Mar. 14, 1890
SHORT MENTION
"Put" Perdew was yesterday, sentenced to 20 days, by Judge Parker, for battery.
The Weekly Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 8, Col. 4 & 5
Sat., Sep. 19, 1891
TRIED TO KILL
Harry Hawker's Pistol Gets Him Into Trouble
Harry Hawker languishes in the county jail pending an examination for an assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit murder. The charge is preferred by Put Perdew, a young man well known in this city. The facts as picked up by the reporter are as follows:
It seems that a bad feeling has existed for a long time between Perdew and Hawker. A few nights since, they were at a ball at Cucamonga, when Hawker commenced to make considerable noise and threats. He carried a pistol. Perdew noticed this and he went to the constable and told him he had better take the pistol from Hawker or there would be trouble. Constable Rogers replied that there would be no trouble. A little later, Hawker commenced swinging the revolver in the air and threatening to kill Perdew, who started to leave the building, when Hawker presented the pistol at him. Constable Rogers told him to put up the pistol. Hawker replied, "I will not. I am going to let daylight through him." Rogers jumped on to Hawker and wrested the pistol from him. Perdew came down and had a warrant sworn out against Hawker.
Fuller particulars will be given at the preliminary examination.
The Daily Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 3, Sun., Sep. 20, 1891
Henry Hawker was dismissed on motion of district attorney, for an assault upon Put Perdew. The testimony did not show any assault.
The Daily Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 4, Sun., Feb. 5, 1893
ETIWANDA
The bee men are busily engaged in fixing stands for new colonies. Messrs. Chas. Stevens, Put Perdew and Ed Seymour respectively are rapidly developing this industry. There are at least 1,500 stands of bees in this settlement and they are handled in a scientific manner.
The Daily Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 3, Col. 2
Sat., May 20, 1893
ETIWANDA ITEMS
Put Perdew and Smith of Rochester had a law suit over some bee machinery. Perdew was beaten.
Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 6, Col. 6
Sun. morning, Aug. 13, 1893
SAN BERNARDINO
Item from: BREVITIES
P. Perdew and Al Livermore became involved in a fight this morning. Recorder Peck fined Perdew $5, the evidence showing that he was the man that began the row.
San Diego Union (San Diego, CA.) , Sun., Sep. 29, 1895
"Lawlessness at Etiwanda
San Bernardino, Cal., Sept. 28 – A reign of terror exists at Etiwanda on account of the violence of several drunken Mexicans committed in the last few days. One of them attacked a little girl, and was knocked down by Rufus P. Perdew. Perdew then went into the back room of his store and was drawing kerosene oil from a barrel when a Mexican slipped up behind him and threw a lighted match into the can of oil, but fortunately, there was no explosion."
Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 7, Wed., Apr. 7, 1897
ETIWANDA, Apr. 7 – (Regular Correspondence)
Lut (Put) Perdew, the boss beekeeper of this section of the country, came down from his high perch in the mountains to see Etiwanda and vicinity on Sunday. He says the bees are doing a land office business.
The Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 6, Col. 6
Mon., Apr. 26, 1897
Item from: ETIWANDA
Put Perdew went to Los Angeles on Thursday to take in the Fiesta and lay in a supply of honey cases and transact other important business.
In the 1900 U.S. census, 45 yr. old Rufus P. Perdew Sr., a farmer, b. Aug. 1854 in IA., was living in Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA. with his
27 yr. old wife, Georgianna Perdew, b. May 1873 in CA.
10 yr. old daughter, Daisy Perdew, b. Feb. 1890 in CA.
7 yr. old daughter, Bird(ie) Perdew, b. Nov. 1892 in CA.
5 yr. old daughter, Josie Perdew, b. Nov. 1894 in CA.
3 yr. old son, Rufus P. Perdew Jr., b. Jun. 1896 in CA.,
18 yr. old brother-in-law (Georgianna's half brother), Randolph Shrod, a day laborer, b. Jan. 1882 in CA.
Rufus Sr. and Georgianna had been marr. for 11 yrs. Georgianna was the mother of four children, all still alive by this census.
Rufus Sr.'s father was b. in OH. and his mother in IA.
Georgianna's father was b. in England and her mother in TX.
Randolph Shrod's father was b. in England and his mother in TX.
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 12, Col. 2
Mon., Jun. 8, 1903
Item from: SUNDAY SIFTINGS
R. P. Perdew of Etiwanda has been appointed by the City Trustees to the position of patrolman of Lyle Creek, at a salary of $30 a month.
San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 7, Col. 4
Sat., Jun. 13, 1903
Excerpt from: LYTLE CREEK NEWS NOTES
R. P. Perdew Arrives as deputy Health Officer and will Also Act as Constable, so it is Reported. - Talk of Saloon.
LYTLE CREEK - R. P. Perdew arrived in camp today for the season. Mr. Perdew brings with him in addition to his wife and six children, a commission from the City Board of Trustees empowering him to act as special patrolman and deputy Health Officer for this section. Mr. Perdew will also act as Constable, as it is reported. If so, the latter job may give him not a little work as some parties are talking of opening a saloon in the canyon.
The San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 1, Col. 4
Wed., Jun. 26, 1907
Excerpt from: LYTLE CREEK SECTION IS RICH IN ORE
Local Men Tunnel for Water in the South Fork Section and Come Upon Ledges Abounding in "Pay Dirt"
EXPERTS SAY THE FIND IS PRICELESS
Gold, copper, and floods of pure, crystal water have been struck in the Dickey-Shepard tunnel in the south fork of Lytle creek.
For months, development work has been quietly progressing, none of those interested having made any public mention of their venture, and only by the merest accident yesterday did details leak out, or the news of the big strikes become public.
Far up in the south fork of the creek, Dr. C. D. Dickey, of this city, and Dr. Shepard, of Etiwanda, until recently a San Diego capitalist, have been pouring out money in running tunnels in the side of the mountains to develop water. That was what they were after, and next was the search for mineral treasure, and from the start success seems to have crowned their efforts.
The tunnel work has been under the direction of R. Putnam Perdew of Etiwanda, an experienced mining man, who also owns an interest in the venture. He has driven the water tunnel to a depth of over 150 feet, having been forced to desist on account of the immense volume of water that has been developed. The abandonment of the work, though temporary, has led to the false impression that the first tunnel missed a ledge which had been aimed for.
Strike It Rich
The miners were then put to work searching through the rocks of the mountain for the mineral treasure. Evidences of copper, gold and silver were found as surface indications,
In the 1910 U.S. census, 58 yr. old Rufus P. Perdew, a farmer on the home farm, b. abt. 1852 in IA., was living on Etiwanda Ave. in Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA. with his
38 yr. old wife, Georgia Anna Perdew, b. in CA.
17 yr. old daughter, Birdie (Leone) Perdew, b. in CA.
12 yr. old son, Putman Perdew Jr., b. in CA.
9 yr. old daughter, Florence Perdew, b. in CA.
7 yr. old daughter, Mamie Perdew, b. in CA.
6 yr. old daughter, (Etta Mae) Etiwanda Perdew, b. in CA.
3 yr. old son, (George) Ralph Perdew, b. in CA.
1 1/2 yr. old son, Victor Perdew, b. in CA.
Rufus's parents were both b. in IA.
Georgia Anna's father was b. in England & her mother in TX.
This was a second marriage for Rufus Sr. and a first marriage for Georgia Anna. They had been married for 20 years. Georgia Annie was the mother of 9 children, only 8 still alive by this census.
San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 9, Col. 1
Thu., Jul. 13, 1911
Live Stock
FOR SALE - Twenty-five head first-class Jersey dairy cows. Address, R. P. Perdew, Etiwanda.
Riverside Daily Press (Riverside, CA.) - Fri., Aug. 22, 1913
Get Four Deer in Lytle Creek
Here's the best deer story yet. And it is true, first hand from the hunters themselves, who bagged two deer in the middle fork of the Lytle Creek and two more in the Sansevain flats, says the Ontario report. The party was made up of Putnam Perdew, Jerry Spray, Arthur Myers, Luther Starbuck, Doc Perdew of Etiwanda, and Clifton Perdew of San Bernardino. They struck out for the Lytle Creek country at the opening of the season and up toward the top of the middle fork, killed two deer, the honors falling to 'Doc' and 'Put' Perdew. Far up in the canyon the hunters say they saw a band of mountain sheep numbering eight. The Sansevain flats were next visited and here, Clifton Perdew bagged a two-prong buck and his cousin, Doc, got a spike buck.
The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 8, Fri., Aug. 14, 1914
Fred Gilbert, Putnam Perdew, Putnam Perdew Jr., and several others are on a camping trip to Old Baldy to be ready for the opening of the deer season.
According to the 1920 U.S. census, 66 yr. old Putnam R. Perdew, an apiculturalist (beekeeper), working out, b. abt. 1854 in IA., was living at 1192 9th St. in Upland, San Bernardino, CA. with his
47 yr. old wife, Anna Perdew, a house-keeper, working out, b. in CA.
15 yr. old daughter, (Mary) Etta Perdew, b. in CA.
12 yr. old son, Ralph Perdew, b. in CA.
7 yr. 10 mth. old daughter, Hazel Perdew, b. in CA.
11 yr. old son, Victor Perdew, b. in CA.
5 yr. old son, Douglas Perdew, b. in CA.
4 yr. old son, Benjaman Perdew, b. in CA.
22 yr. old son, Putnam Perdew Jr., b. in CA.
Anna's father was b. in England and her mother in TX.
Rufus Putnam's parents were b. in IA.
Perhaps Put was off hunting, mining or tending to his bees in 1930 when the census taker came around, because in the Apr. 8, 1930 U.S. census, 56 yr. old Anna Perdew, head of household, working as a cook at a hotel, was living at 1254 King St. in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. with three of her children,
23 yr. old son, Ralph Perdew, a cook at a cafe, b. in CA.
17 yr. old son Douglas Perdew, b. in CA.
14 yr. old son, Benjamin Perdew, b. in CA.
Anna's father was b. in England and her mother in TX.
Anna was 17 at the time of her marriage to Put, according to the census.
Jim Lamb continues: "My brother, Bob, told a story about Putt: Once when they were hunting, Bob was 12 years old, when he and Dad (Lou), with Putt and a couple of other uncles went deer hunting up in the San Jacinto Mountains. Putt had gotten tired walking around and decided to return to camp. A while later, Bob also was tired and started back to camp. As he approached camp, he saw Putt sitting on a washtub while starting to roll a cigarette, and Putt didn't notice him coming. Bob looked about 30 feet to Putt's right and there was a deer standing, watching Putt, so Bob took aim and shot the deer. Bob killed the deer alright, but when he fired the shot, old Putt threw tobacco in his face and eyes!! He was mad at the boy at first, but when he saw what a nice buck he'd killed, he laughed with everyone else. That happened to be the largest deer taken on Thomas Mt. that deer season. This happened in 1933."
(Another story from Jim Lamb): "When Putt was in his 80's, and a widower, he was seeing a 50-year-old divorced woman, who at one time was his niece by marriage. She was also being courted by another old man in his 70's. One day, Putt was sitting on the porch of his daughter's home on 9th street in Upland. He was whittling on a piece of wood when a neighbor came by and told him to be careful, because the other suitor of the divorcée said he was going to 'cut old Putt'. Later in the day, that old man came up to Putt on the porch and said, "We need to talk this out, or you're going to regret it." Putt invited him on up, and then stuck the old man in the belly with his knife. The old guy staggered on back home, and later, the cops came and hauled Putt off to the Upland police station. Putt's son-in-law, Hubbard Evans, was an Upland policeman.
When Hubbard came in off duty, he was approached and told, "You won't believe it, but we arrested an eighty-year-old man for knifing another old man, over a fifty-year-old divorcée." Hubbard asked where the old guy was, and the officer pointed him out, sitting in behind a glassed-in office. Hubbard said, "Oh, hell, that's my father-in-law!" No charges were filed since they both had knives, and considered it mutual combat.
(Jim Lamb); "On Putt's 85th birthday, he celebrated with his children and their families at Applewhite Campground in Lytle Creek. One of his stunts that day, after he handed his fedora to someone, was to stand on his head with his .30-30 rifle balanced across his feet. My brother, Bob, said he never saw the old man when he wasn't dressed up, unless he was out hunting, or working. He always wore a tie, with his suit and fedora."
Obituary: SUDDEN DEATH TAKES PIONEER
UPLAND, Sept. 8, 1939 -
Rufus Putnam Perdew, resident of San Bernardino county for the last 78 years, died suddenly yesterday afternoon at his home, 468 Second Avenue, at the age of 85 years.
Although Mr. Perdew had been in failing health for some time, he was up and seated at the luncheon table when death overtook him. While eating, the octagenarian suddenly remarked, 'Here I go" and fell forward on the table.
Mr. Perdew was a native of Iowa and after coming to California, resided for 53 years in Etiwanda, where he engaged in farming, before coming to Upland 25 years ago.
Surviving the pioneer are six daughters: Mrs. Adam Bryden, Mrs. Carl Graves and Mrs. P.H. Evans of Upland; Mrs. Theodore Lamb, Ontario; Mrs. Joe Van Kovering, Rialto; and Mrs. Louis Lamb, San Dimas; five sons, Rufus Putnam Perdew Jr., Upland; Ralph and Douglas Perdew, Etiwanda; Victor Perdew, Ontario; and Benjamin Perdew, Hemet; two sisters, Mrs. Charles Taylor, San Diego and Mrs. Gus Carlson, Fresno; two brothers, Edward Perdew, Alta Loma, and Frank Perdew, San Bernardino; 30 grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow, 2 p.m. at the Stone Mortuary, 329 East Ninth St., with the Rev. Rex Lawhead, pastor of the Upland Presbyterian church officiating. Interment will be in City Cemetery, San Bernardino.
(Jim Lamb): "Rufus Putnam 'Putt' died in 1939 while living with his daughter, Florence and her husband, Carl Graves. They lived on 9th St. in Upland, and it was on a Sunday. He had been sick with a cold, and was feeling a little better. Florence had cooked dinner, and asked if he was feeling up to eating at the table. He sat down at the table, while Florence was putting food on the table, when suddenly, he said, "Oh no, here I go," and fell over dead. (His son, Rufus Putnam Jr. - 'Doc' - died nine years later in the same way, on July 4, 1948, when he said, "Oh no," and fell forward, face first, in his plate.) Going in this manner can sure ruin everyone's dinner, and make it rough on those left behind, but what a way to go! I've thought about changing my name to Rufus Putnam, as I only hope I can go the same way, and I apologize beforehand, for ruining everyone's dinner!!"
Buried: Sep. 9, 1939 (One space north of Ann Perdew)
Mortuary: Stone's
Death Record: Book 6, P. 178
Cause of Death: Coronary Occlusion - which is a partial or total obstruction of a coronary artery, usually resulting in a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 13
Sunday, Sep. 10, 1939
Pioneers Plan All-Day Bazaar
San Bernardino Pioneer Society, meeting yesterday afternoon at the Pioneer log cabin, completed preparations for an all day bazaar and card party in the cabin Wednesday.
The event will open at 10 a.m., with a card party starting at 8 p.m. A cafeteria lunch will be served throughout the day and refreshments will be served during the evening. The public is invited to attend.
Yesterday's meeting of the society was adjourned early because of funeral services for Rufus Putnam Perdew, pioneer valley resident and brother of Frank Perdew of San Bernardino. Members of the society took charge of gravesite rites at the City cemetery. |
