University of Virginia Library

JOSEPH LELAND PERDUE

Joseph Leland Perdue, of Bent Mountain, Roanoke
County, was born in Franklin County, Virginia,
April 20th, 1860, being a son of Eli and Mary A.
(Mitchell) Perdue, who
were the parents of a
large family of sons
and daughters. Of the
family, six sons and
four daughters are living.
One daughter is
dead. When Joseph
Leland was eleven
years old his parents
removed to West Virginia,
but owing to ill
health a second move
was made to Bent
Mountain in 1873.

Joseph Leland Perdue
as a boy attended
the country schools and
besides received a good
business education. He
began life early as a farmer. In 1891 he embarked
in the mercantile business near Bent Mountain
post office. He was eminently successful as a merchant,
and building up a splendid trade, he soon
became independent. Two years ago he purchased
the old Tazewell Price homestead, one of the oldest
and most substantial residences in the whole country,
together with one hundred acres of fine land
containing one of the oldest and best apple orchards
on Bent Mountain, including many fine pippin trees.
On a sixty-two acre farm on which was located his
general merchandise store, Mr. Perdue planted an
orchard of eight hundred apple trees, which have
been in bearing several years. This is one of the
best orchards in the county for its size, and during
the past year the trees were breaking down with
luscious fruit. Due to failing health, Mr. Perdue
retired from active mercantile pursuits last year,
selling the store building, stock of goods, good will,
residence, apple orchard, and farm to L. C. Shockey.
Last year he sold a sixty-acre tract of land containing
a fine orchard of his own planting to D. J. Holt,
and a second tract of twenty acres with an excellent
orchard to George Teel. He has been very active
in the development of the apple business on Bent
Mountain.

In 1882 Mr. Perdue married Lucy E., daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. I. C. Laprad, of Franklin County.
Four children were born to this union, but all died
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Perdue reared an adopted
daughter, Miss Ida May Perdue, who, on September
21st, 1910, was married to John R. Zirkle, a progressive
young farmer and fruit grower of Roanoke
County. They reside at the Bent Mountain home
of Mr. and Mrs. Perdue.