Madison S. Perry
Encyclopedia
Madison Starke Perry was the fourth Governor of Florida.
in 1845 and helped found the village of Rochelle, Florida
in Alachua County
. He became a leader among the plantation owners in Alachua County
and was elected to represent the county in the Florida House of Representatives in 1849. The following year he was elected to the Florida Senate
.
and encouraged the building of railways in the state. During the years before the Civil War
, Governor Perry foresaw the possibility that Florida
might secede from the Union
, and in 1858 he urged the reestablishment of the state’s militia. Florida
did secede three years later, on January 11, 1861. Perry then called for the evacuation of all federal troops from Florida, intending to replace them with the militia.
of the 7th Florida Infantry Regiment until illness forced his resignation on April 30, 1863. He retired to his plantation in Rochelle, where he died in March 1865, shortly before the end of the American Civil War
. Survived by his wife and two children, he was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Rochelle.
The city of Perry, Florida
is named in his honor. The city of Starke, Florida
may have been named in his honor.
Early life
Madison Starke Perry was born in Lancaster County, South Carolina, the youngest child of Benjamin Perry and his wife Mary Starke. He came to FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1845 and helped found the village of Rochelle, Florida
Rochelle, Florida
Rochelle is an unincorporated community in Alachua County, Florida, United States.-Geography:Rochelle is located at ....
in Alachua County
Alachua County, Florida
Alachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida. Alachua County is the home of the University of Florida and is also known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans...
. He became a leader among the plantation owners in Alachua County
Alachua County, Florida
Alachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida. Alachua County is the home of the University of Florida and is also known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans...
and was elected to represent the county in the Florida House of Representatives in 1849. The following year he was elected to the Florida Senate
Florida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
.
Perry as governor
Perry ran for and was elected governor in 1856, assuming office on October 5, 1857. As Florida's fourth governor, Perry helped bring about the settlement of a long-standing boundary dispute with GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and encouraged the building of railways in the state. During the years before the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Governor Perry foresaw the possibility that Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
might secede from the Union
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and in 1858 he urged the reestablishment of the state’s militia. Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
did secede three years later, on January 11, 1861. Perry then called for the evacuation of all federal troops from Florida, intending to replace them with the militia.
Last years
After his term as governor ended on October 7, 1861, Perry served as colonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the 7th Florida Infantry Regiment until illness forced his resignation on April 30, 1863. He retired to his plantation in Rochelle, where he died in March 1865, shortly before the end of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Survived by his wife and two children, he was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Rochelle.
The city of Perry, Florida
Perry, Florida
Perry is a city in Taylor County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,017 at the 2010 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,017....
is named in his honor. The city of Starke, Florida
Starke, Florida
Starke is a city in Bradford County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,593 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,769 ....
may have been named in his honor.