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Perrault Family Cemetery
Grant County, New Mexico
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Cemetery Page
Compiled by Janet Wasson, Reporter At
Large, April 2003©
The Perrault Family Cemetery is located about 1 mile
south of San Juan/Sherman in Grant County on the ranch
homesteaded by George O. Perrault.
George O. Perrault was born in Quebec, Canada and came
to the US sometime prior to enlisting in the 1st
California Cavalry in Los Angeles on January 18,1864. He
arrived in the New Mexico Territory with his regiment on
May 4th of that year. Perrault and his regiment were
stationed in La Mesilla, sent from California to fight
Indians, and to find and deal with any remaining
Confederate soldiers that were remained in the
Territory.
Because the Civil War had ended, the unit was disbanded
in 1866. It was common practice to disburse a military
units in places where the government wished to encourage
settlement. Perrault first settled Pinos Altos, where he
organized a group of settlers to "colonize" the Mimbres
Valley. George and 18 others began Mimbres Colony in
December of 1869 on the San Lorenzo Flats.
In May of 1870 Perrault established his ranch about five
miles south of Mimbres Colony. In March of 1871 he moved
his family to the ranch where he had built a large, two
story adobe home. The home, complete with walled
courtyard, was a gathering place for many years for
parties and festivals, the high walls of the
courtyard providing protection for the guests.
Confrontations with Apaches and settlers continued
throughout the late 1880's, therefore, Perrault posted
ranch hands to keep guard against Indian attacks. One
family story passed down, tells of a time in 1888 when
an Indian came through the kitchen window when Adelaida
Perrault was cleaning beans. She yelled for George, who
then came from another room, and assured her that this
Indian was friendly, which he proved, by helping to
clean the rest of the beans!
George's first wife was Guadalupe Garcia, who died in
childbirth in 1877. His second wife was Adelaida Alert,
whom he married in Hillsboro in 1879. Adelaida was the
daughter of Joseph Alert, another well-to-do business
man in Hillsboro. George owned a store in Hillsboro at
that time Throughout his time in Grant and Sierra
Counties, George was among the most respected men. He
was the first postmaster of Sherman in 1894, and he was
the road supervisor in 1885, and he served on the school
commission, and on the election board, and he had one of
the finest fruit orchards in the West. His
obituary memorializes him as "one of New Mexico's best
citizens, having the respect, confidence and esteem of
every resident who knew him."
Photos
Last name First Mid Date of Birth Date of Death Notes
Dickson Alice Lorraine Dec-9-1932 Aug-7-2000
Dickson Emma P Jul-28-1906 Oct-3-1915
Perrault Adela A Jun-25-1863 Jan-17-1911 Wife of G.O.-b. Sonora, Mexico
Perrault Alfred Oliver Aug-3-1882 Feb-13-1926
Perrault Alfred Oliver Oct-27-1911 Jun-21-1986
Perrault Benjamin G Mar-5-1925 Oct-24-1996 Sgt.US Marine Corps WWII
Perrault Edward Albert Sept-7-1884 Feb-20-1926
Perrault Elmer Allen May-23-1939 Mar-25-2003
Perrault Eva Alice Jan-15-1920 Aug-15-1924
Perrault George Oliver /1838 /1898 Sgt Co M 1st California Cavalry
Perrault Henry H /1914 /1943
Perrault Henry William Jan-24-1904 Jun-4-1912
Perrault Joseph Nov-19-1919 Nov-19-1919
Perrault Margaret Feb-12-1902 July-20-1994
unmarked unknown ns ns two unmarked
©2005
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