Earnest Edwin Perdew was the 2nd of 10 children born to:
Joseph Edwin Perdew, b. Oct. 2, 1863 in Grapeland, San Bernardino county, CA. and d. Feb. 27, 1951 in Alta Loma, San Bernardino county, CA. &
Nettie Jeanette Henderson, b. Mar. 1, 1872 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino county, CA. and d. Mar. 11, 1961 in Ontario, San Bernardino county, CA.

Joseph E. and Nettie J. Perdew's children were:
1) * Clarence Howard 'Howd' Perdew, b. Feb. 1, 1891 in Grapeland,
San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Sep. 5, 1959 in San Bernardino County, CA.
2) * Earnest Edward 'Pete' Perdew, b. Oct. 8, 1892 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jun. 10, 1981 in Upland, San Bernardino County, CA. Earnest marr. Claire Dorothy (Clara Dora) Von Sien.
3) * Forest Seabury 'Ford' Perdew, b. Jan. 31, 1894 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Feb. 23, 1972 in CA. Ford marr. Icie Mae Marler (twice), Sophia Chlopkowiak and Ernestina Bernice Carpena Perdew.
4) * Florence Mabel Perdew, b. Mar. 23, 1895 in San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Dec. 4, 1979 in San Bernardino County, CA. She marr. first, Jim Gammon and second, Bob Andres.
5) * Robert Rolland Perdew, b. Mar. 11, 1897 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jan. 1, 1982 in San Bernardino County, CA. Robert married Mabel Inez Marler (twice), Dora Maxwell and Edith Sophia Hatfield.
6) * John Lynn 'Link' Perdew, b. Apr. 25, 1902 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Apr. 12, 1996 in Chino, San Bernardino County, CA. He never married.
7. * Roy Allen 'Tom' Perdew, b. Jun. 19, 1904 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino Co., CA. (according to San Bernardino County Birth records) and d. Jan. 15, 1948 in Alta Loma, San Bernardino Co., CA. Tom never married.
8) * Chester A. (or James) 'Chet/Chess' Perdew, b. Aug. 28, 1907 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jul. 12, 1935 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Chess marr. Mildred Letta Gotcher in 1926 and they separated in 1927.
9. * Kenneth Ray Perdew, b. Dec. 18, 1909 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Feb. 9, 1997 in Upland, San Bernardino County, CA. Ken marr. Iona Hazel Martin.
10. * Ethel Vera 'Vee' Perdew, b. Jul. 16, 1912 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jan. 20, 2005 in Redlands, San Bernardino County, CA. She marr. Edwin Chester "Ed" Relph.

*Note: Earnest's father, Joseph E., was the 6th of 11 children born to Alexander Glenn Perdew (who died April 16, 1894) and Sarah Mae Hoskinson (1836-1914).

Excerpt from Light Over The Mountain:
Earnest was born in Etiwanda in 1892 and (his brother) John in San Bernardino 10 years later. The brothers both remember many good things about the wonderful, simple life they led as boys.
An especially fond memory is that of getting up at 5 o'clock in the morning in order to catch the two burros which they rode to school. Quite often, however, after chasing the animals all over the pasture, the burros slipped under the fence and the boys would have to walk.
Another favorite recollection is of the many times the boys took dishpans full of water up to the natural bench above their home. There, they poured the water down the hill and proceeded to slide down the slippery surface.
Hunting was not only a favorite pastime but also kept meat on the table. Nettie frequently took the boys in her horse and buggy to where they would shoot rabbits by the dozen. She usually took along her shotgun to kill rattlesnakes which might cross her path.
Fishing was another way in which food could be kept upon the table. Day and East Canyons were especially good spots. In fact, Earnest remembers one time when his uncle fished one of the canyons. It was not until their sacks became too heavy to carry that they decided to stop and count the fish. Earnest had 99 and his uncle 100. One more was caught for Earnest and the two went home.
The boys enjoyed the school experience and remember not only their grandfather as teacher but also a German man by the name of Filkins. He was a truly close friend of his students, spending time with them on out-of-school activities such as camping trips.
Fourth of July was an especially happy time as it always has been. There was ice cream and lemonade for everyone with many activities such as barley sack races. One year, the highlight of the celebration was a horse race - between two horses.
The Perdew brothers also recall times which were not so happy. They have experienced many north winds. After one of the winds, a 20 acre stand of eucalyptus was left with only two trees still upright.
Fires raged on the mountains from time to time and although few floods seem to have ravaged the area, Earnest and John do have a vivid memory of the 1938 catastrophe.
There had been a warm rain all day of March 2. About 2:30 in the afternoon, water started breaking up leaves and trees which had been piled up in the canyons. Some friends of the brothers supposedly saved themselves by climbing up a sycamore tree and staying perched on the trunk all night long. For the most part, however, life was good in days gone by. There was always food on the table, places to camp and fish (and hunt deer), and a feeling of really belonging to something - Grapeland.

In the 1910 U.S. census, 17 yr. old Earnest E. Perdew, a farmer, b. in CA., was living on North Etiwanda Ave. in Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA. with his
46 yr. old father, Joseph E. Perdew, a farmer on the home farm, b. in CA.
37 yr. old mother, Nettie J. Perdew, b. in CA.
19 yr. old brother, Howard C. (Clarence) Perdew, a teamster working out, b. in CA.
16 yr. old brother, Forrest S. (Seabury) Perdew, as laborer in a vineyard, b. in CA.
15 yr. old sister, Mable F. Perdew, a student, b. in CA.
14 yr. old brother, Robert R. (Rolland) Perdew, a student, b. in CA.
8 yr. old brother, John L. (Lynk) Perdew, b. in CA.
6 yr. old brother, Roy A. (Allen) Perdew, b. in CA.
3 yr. old brother, Chester A. Perdew, b. in CA.
4 mth. old brother, Kenneth Perdew, b. in CA.
This was a first marriage for Joseph and Nettie. They had been married for 20 yrs. Nettie was the mother of 9 children, all still alive by this census.
Joseph's father was b. in OH. and his mother in TX.
Nettie's father was b. in Scotland and her mother in Australia.
Living next door was Walt Henderson (Nettie's brother) and his family.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 7, Fri., Jun. 2, 1911
Locals
Howard and Ernest (Earnest) Perdew, Earl Henderson and B. Herberts have left for Imperial to assist in the cantaloupe packing.

The San Bernardino County Sun, P. 7
San Bernardino, CA. - Fri., Jun. 7, 1912
To Imperial
Howard and Ernest Perdew and John Vaillancourt have gone to swell the ranks of workmen in the Imperial valley cantaloupe fields. Others of our Etiwanda boys are laying plans to follow soon.

Times-Advocate (Escondido, CA.), P. 1, Col. 4
Sat., Sep. 20, 1913
Excerpt from: BIG VINEYARD HARVEST WILL START MONDAY
FORCE OF SIXTY-FIVE BOX MAKERS AND PICKERS COME FROM ETIWANDA FOR WORK
The advance guard of box makers arrived Friday evening to prepare for the harvest of Muscatel grapes in the big vineyard of J. Johnston Jr.. In this advance guard were N. D. Heacock, Grover Henderson, Earl Henderson and Ernest Perdew, all of Etiwanda, who started to make boxes at once, to keep ahead of the pickers, if possible.

The San Bernardino County Sun, P. 10
San Bernardino, CA. - Fri., Jul. 3, 1914
Howard and Ernest Perdew arrived home from the Imperial Valley the last of the week after spending the cantaloupe season there.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 8, Fri., Aug. 14, 1914
Howard and Ernest (Earnest) Perdew left for Escondido this morning, where they will make boxes to handle George F. Johnston's grape shipments from that point.

Earnest's WWI Draft Registration card, dated May 26, 1917, states that 24 yr. old Earnest E. Perdew, b. Oct. 8, 1892 in Etiwanda, CA., was single and working as a box maker for the C.P. Weeriest Co. in Brawley, CA. He was claiming exemption from the draft because he had a rupture. He was described as tall and slender, with blue eyes and light hair.

According to his WWI Service Card, Earnest Edwin Perdew, a resident of Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA. and box maker by trade, was born Oct. 8, 1892 in Etiwanda, San Bernardino, CA. His parents were Joseph E. Perdew and Nettie Henderson Perdew. He married Claire Dorothy von Sien on June 15, 1918. Claire was a resident of Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA. Earnest registered for duty on Jun. 4, 1917. The local board where he was registered was San Bernardino, Division #91. He entered the Infantry branch of service and was assigned to Camp Lewis near Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington.

Earnest E. Perdew's participation in WWI began when he arrived at Camp Lewis in the summer of 1917, when a huge military encampment was being built and the 91st Division was being organized.
*Note: The 91st Infantry Division was a National Army Division. Based at Camp Lewis, Washington, it was composed of men from the western United States. The 91st Infantry Division was famously nicknamed as the "Wild West Division" with a "Fir Tree" as its Division insignia to symbolize its traditional home of the Far West. This nickname referred to the many cowboys, ranch hands and the overall western attitude within the division.

Boxing was not only allowed in military camps, it was encouraged and taught as the best exercise to help the soldier in learning to use the bayonet. (See caption below the attached picture.)
The Tacoma Times (Tacoma, WA.), - P. 6, Dec. 7, 1917
Excerpt from BOXING HELPS TEACH SOLDIER TO ACT AND THINK AT SAME TIME
The greatest thing that boxing can teach any man and the most valuable thing it can teach a soldier is co-ordination. By co-ordination, I mean the power to follow the thought with the action quickly. It means making your body do what the brain wants it to do and quickly.
The brain does the biggest part of the work for the skillful boxer and everybody knows that for years, the United States army has prided itself on the fact that its soldiers were able to use their heads.
Now the war department has sent fighters to all camps to teach the men how to mix action and thought. Suppose a boxer waited a second, even a half second, between the time he thought about punching his opponent and the time he tried to do it. How many times do you think he'd "land"? Same thing with a bayonet fighter or a sharp shooter - he's got to get his hands and his gray matter working together.

Boxing was not only part of the bayonet training program but was also offered as entertainment for the troops. On occasion, individual group members were offered the opportunity to get into the ring with a professional fighter. Those volunteering to enter the ring usually did so after they were assured that the professional would take it easy on them. However, when Earnest was persuaded to participate, the professional failed to keep his promise and landed a blow which resulted in a broken nose. His nose healed properly and he was able to resume his duties. Years later, after his military service, Ernest retained an interest in the sport, and taught his sons the rudiments of boxing.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 7, Fri., Mar. 15, 1918
Ernest (Earnest) Perdew, who was one of the first boys from district one, in this county, called in the Liberty army, is doing well in his work. His regiment has been sent back east, but he was retained at American Lake to assist in drilling troops. Ernest (Earnest) is third best shot in his company. He is drawing sergeant's pay while waiting for his appointment. He has gained 31 pounds since going into camp and is feeling well and happy. Howard Perdew, who enlisted in the aviation corps the first of December, and is stationed at San Antonio, Texas, is also making good, and is also drawing sergeant's pay and assisting in the drilling of the troops. A third brother, Ford Perdew, just passed his physical this week, and will no doubt add fresh laurels to the family history. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Perdew are to be congratulated on the splendid record their sons are making.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 7, Tues., Apr. 2, 1918
A beautiful service flag has just been completed and hung in Red Cross work room. The work was done by Mrs. George Utman and Mrs. O.H. Price while a very artistic honor roll, the work of Miss Athie Johnston, hangs beside it. The flag contains 20 stars, representing those who have enlisted in the service from Etiwanda and the following names appear on the honor roll: Frank David, Edward F. Fisher, George Rolland Hippard Jr., Robert Cleon Hart, Herbert Lee Price, George W. Hickcox, Ernest (Earnest) E. Perdew, Victor Johnson, Walter Samuel Price, Samuel A. Dillard, George Edward Duffield, Mark B. Hickcox, Herman H. Henderson, Philip C. Johnston, Clarence Howard Perdew, Harold B. Ross, Earl Henderson, Harry Burbank, Jack Haddock and William C. Pearson.

The San Bernardino Daily Sun, P. 7, Fri., Apr. 19, 1918
Corporal Ernest (Earnest) Perdew arrived home Monday from American Lake for a 10 days' furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Perdew. He is looking fine and feeling fine also. This is his first trip home.

On May 17, 1918, newspapers carried the announcement by the Commanding General that the 91st Division would move within two months. Perhaps spurred by this news, Earnest E. Perdew, of San Bernardino Co., CA. and Claire Dorothy Von Sien, of San Bernardino Co., CA., were married on Jun. 15, 1918 in Tacoma, Pierce, WA. by R.H. McHinnis, a clergyman. Witnesses were: Thos. N. Morris and L.L. Drugle. Their residence was listed as Tacoma.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 7, Wed., Jun. 26, 1918
ERNEST PERDEW HAS TAKEN BRIDE
The SUN'S Staff Correspondence
ETIWANDA, June 25 - Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Perdew received a telegram from their son, Sergeant Ernest (Earnest) Perdew, of Camp Lewis, announcing his marriage to Miss Clara Von Sein (Von Sien), of Alta Loma. Mr. Perdew is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Perdew and was born and raised in Etiwanda. Mrs. Perdew is a graduate nurse of the San Antonio hospital, at Upland, and has many friends here, and they have the best wishes of the entire community. Mrs. Perdew will remain at American Lake as long as Ernest is stationed there.

Earnest and Claire honeymooned at the rustic and romantic Paradise Inn in Mt. Ranier National Park, WA., surrounded by mountain meadows lush with wildflowers and miles of hiking trails, breathtaking views of glaciers and waterfalls. The inn had opened less than a year previously, on July 1, 1917, and has since housed such famous guests as Shirley Temple and Pres. Harry S. Truman.

Sgt. Earnest E. Perdew, ID #2267260, of Etiwanda, CA., was listed on the ship Olympia's passenger list, sailing on Jul. 12, 1918, from the port of New York, NY., as part of First Platoon, Co. H., 364th Infantry, 91st Division. The person listed be notified in case of emergency was his father, Joseph E. Perdew.
*Note: Also listed on the ship's manifest was John G. Guess Jr. of El Monte, CA., Second Platoon, Co. H., 364th Infantry, 91st Division, who perished in France and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Near Eclisfontaine, France, on Sept. 28, 1918, assisted by another sergeant (my grandfather, Sgt. Earnest E. Perdew) and leading a combat group across an open valley under constant hostile fire, Sergeant Guess completed the capture of four machine-gun nests and three prisoners. he was seriously wounded in the encounter and died afterwards at Base Hospital No. 61 in Beaune, Departement de la Côte-d'Or, France of septicemia (septic shock, blood poisoning by bacteria), on Nov. 7, 1918.

The San Bernardino County Sun, (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 9
Tue., Aug. 6, 1918
Is Now Overseas
Sergeant Ernest (Earnest) Perdew is one of the latest of the boys to be reported safely overseas. Mrs. Perdew, who went to Camp Lewis for the wedding ceremony and has been with her husband there since, is remaining in the north, having taken up hospital work in Tacoma.

From a family newspaper clipping: (Probably The Ledger, Tacoma, WA., Oct. 1918)
91ST MEN SWIFT AS ANY TOMCATS
Got Ahead of Supports and Had to Fall Back, Writes Lieutenant Evans
In the fierce fighting which the 91st Division was engaged the men advanced so rapidly they got ahead of their supporting units and could have been surrounded by Germans, writes Lieut. DeWitt M. Evans of the headquarters unit in a letter to the Moose lodge of Tacoma. In other letters from Lieut. Evans published in The Ledger he gave other details of the terrific battle. Writing to the Moose under date of October 12, he says:
"It is impossible to write individual letters to my numerous friends and I thought a general letter might answer the purpose so they will not think I have forgotten them.
"I know they are all anxious to know how our division stood fire, and while no doubt they have read and heard much, they might like to hear some first hand. I can start off right away by saying that our boys went over the top like fighting tomcats and nothing could stop them. They went through the wires, woods, barrages, machine-gun fire and snipers like wildfire and nothing could stop them. In fact, the first day after going 10 kilometers (6 1/2 miles) they had to come back a mile and a half to be even with the adjoining divisions which could not keep up.
"On one occasion they were two miles in the German line with no Americans on right or left; only nerve and bull luck kept the Boche from taking advantage of their position. On two occasions they came back considerable to allow their flanks to be protected. The cost can be proud of their boys. They are now known as a 'fighting division.' We of course suffered heavily, but everywhere licked the Boche and always went over our objective. I don't know how many Moose were killed or wounded in their country's cause, but all that did went bravely and facing the foe.
Tells How It Was Done
"I will attempt to describe briefly how we went over. The sector was one where the Germans and French had locked horns for more than three years, neither being able to go ahead. Both were well dug in, miles and miles of wire and trenches, numerous hills, ravines, woods, etc. heavily protected by guns of all calibers, machine guns, etc., seemingly impossible to penetrate. Guns of all kinds were quietly brought up in our rear so that it seemed that every tree had a cannon behind it. The French occupied the front line trenches and we were behind only a day or two and the country practically all new to us. On the night our bunch went into the trenches, the French withdrew. About 11 p.m. the big guns tore loose. The ground rocked and trembled for hours and one could not be understood except by sign. At 5:30 a.m., in the early dawn and mist, the boys 'went over', and believe me, they went, How in the devil they got through I don't know. It is a difficult job to find one's way in the daylight with no opposition in this strange country. But the boys knew the general direction and followed the Boche. They had their machine guns placed about 75 feet apart in the woods, but they surrounded them, sniped them and routed them out like old veterans. Hundreds and hundreds of machine guns were captured or destroyed and Boches killed or captured went into the thousands. The first day we went six miles (more than scheduled) and had to wait for our adjoining divisions. This was wonderful considering that it was deemed impossible to get through these wonderful defenses. Then the boys advanced some each day under terrific shell fire, to the corps objective. There they dug in and maintained their position until the divisions were relieved by fresh troops.
"For 10 days we were under shell fire with a stream of shells going each way, but we never had to back up on account of the Boche. Personally I was very lucky. I have had many killed or wounded all about me, but I never got a scratch.
Artillery Spotted Headquarters
"On one particular occasion their artillery spotted our headquarters and for a while I thought the Moose was out a $100. They churned up all the ground around with high explosives (I was in the open on my stomach) but somehow or other skipped my little spot. To top off the party, the Boche planes commenced to drop projectiles from which a crater was no protection, and while many men were killed or wounded, they left me out.
"During all this time we slept in Boche trenches, the ruins of villages and sometimes dugouts. We certainly went through everything you read about. Just now we are in a rest village to recuperate but expect soon to go after them again. By the way, I saw Jack O'Brien about three days ago, looking fit and fat and proud that he was a soldier. I have not seen him since the last battle but no doubt he is O. K.
"Boost and back up your brave brothers and soldiers for they are doing noble work and are some 'vets'."

(From a San Bernardino County newspaper clipping, sometime between Nov. 11 - 25, 1918)
__ FROM OVERSEAS ARRIVES AT LAST
Hundreds of letters long delayed from France arrived in California in time to gladden many anxious hearts at Thanksgiving time, and early Friday morning, mail carriers were besieged with eager inquiries. Numerous letters and cards arrived here that had been so anxiously awaited for over two months. Some of the letters were dated Oct. 18, 24th and 27th, at Bordeaux and the fighting line. Mark Hickcox, an Etiwanda young man well known here, writes that he and Ernest Perdue (Earnest Perdew) went "over the top" together without a scratch, although others were falling all around them. Sergt. Ernest Perdue (Earnest Perdew), just before sailing for France, was united in marriage to Miss Clare Von Sien at Tacoma, and their many friends here rejoice to hear of the young soldier's safety. One letter from Mr. Hickcox was dated Bordeaux Nov. 10th, stating that he was on a furlough and located at a big hotel back of the lines. E. S. Bishop also received the glad tidings that his nephew, Sergt. Ralph Crossman, dated Oct. 27th, was alive, well, and in good fighting trim in the front lines in Flanders; later word, dated Nov. 11th, the day of the armistice, states that he is marching thru Belgium, and that all accounts of the ruin and destruction in that besieged country have not been in the least exaggerated, as everything practically has been destroyed by the Germans. So may the boys all come safely home again, and what wonderful yea terrible tales they will have to unfold!

The following is a Jan. 26, 1919 letter written by Earnest to his brother, Sgt. Clarence H. (Howard) Perdew, Squadron G, Rockwell Field, San Diego, CA.
Preval, France, Jan. 26, 1919
Dear Brother,
I will drop you a line or two today just to let you know that I am still in existence. Haven't heard from you in several days but I guess you are pretty busy so will make allowances for that. Probably I have more time to write than you do. The evenings are pretty long these days and I could write a whole lot if it wasn't so cold. We have to get in bed early to keep warm.
It is snowing here today. So you can imagine how cold it is without a fire to sit down beside. I got up this morning at nine o'clock. We always have our Sunday morning breakfast at nine and dinner at three, just two meals. I was sure surprised to see the snow when I looked out. It was so clear yesterday. It has been cold for several days. The ice on the lake north of the chateau here never melts through the day.
We have been preparing for a review in front of General Pershing for the last week. It was to be pulled off last Thursday, but they post-poned it for some reason. Guess it will be some time this week now. Whenever we do have it I will get my D. S. C. (Distinguished Service Cross). Am getting anxious to get it. Have never seen one.
Have you ever heard from Phil Johnston. I had a couple of letters from Harold, but I have never seen either one of them. They might be home by this time for all I know.
I saw a piece in the paper where some of the flying units had gone home. Have you heard anything about Herb or Walt Price. I think that they are likely to be in the army of occupation. This division was a replacement outfit. So I haven't any idea of what division they are in now. They probably haven't seen any action.
Do you ever see the "Stars and Stripes" over there? If you have a chance to get hold of the paper you want to read it. There is always some interesting stuff in it. I have been trying to get a couple of copies of January seventeenth and twenty-fourth to send to you. But we only get a few papers and everybody grabs one if they can to send home. I have a clipping out of the Jan. 17th issue giving some dope on each division. I will send it to you. In the one of the 21st you will find the 91st division. I had it too but somebody slipped up on it.
Well I will close now. Hoping to hear from you again soon.
As ever,
Earn

The San Bernardino Daily Sun, P. 9, Tue., Apr. 8, 1919
Excerpt from Sergeant Ernest (Earnest) Perdew Is in New York After Long Service Overseas
Sergt. Ernest (Earnest) Perdew of the 91st division has notified his wife and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Perdew, by telegraph of his arrival in New York City and he is expected home soon.

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 3, Col. 2-5
Sun., Apr. 13, 1919 (photo accompanies article)
Here are the "first thirteen," the first contingent of the selective draft to leave San Bernardino. They departed on September 5, 1917. Standing left to right, they are: Ralph W. Pease, Porter V. Hang, George W. Hickox, Harry Lukins (died in France), Ernest Perdew, Elias A. Chokas (killed in action) - (and 7 others).

The Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), April 1919
SERGEANT PERDEW DECORATED FOR DISTINGUISHED WAR SERVICE
Etiwanda's Soldier Boys Will Be in Evidence at Big Parade Today
ETIWANDA, April 10 - Sergt. Ernest (Earnest) Perdew of the 364th, who is in New York on his way home from the battlefields of France, has been awarded a D. S. C. (distinguished service cross) for bravery in action. Sergeant Perdew, with a squad of eight men took three machine gun nests, killed two (three) of the enemy and captured eight. He was the only San Bernardino county boy of this regiment who received a decoration.

Los Angeles Evening Post-Record (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 2, Col. 2
Sat., Apr. 26, 1919
Excerpt from: GREAT WELCOME FOR ARGONNE HEROES
Carpet of Roses Strewn For Last Unit of 364th
Ernest Perdew is a sergeant in Co. H. He could not have been a better fighter if he was a general. He had the Distinguished Service Cross. Perdew cleaned up German machine gun nests in the Argonne and brought in many prisoners after having made many "Good Germans". He is the son of J. E. Perdew of Etiwanda, near San Bernardino.

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 2, Col. 2
Sun., Apr. 27, 1919
ARGONNE TROOPS WELCOMED AT COLTON:
Earnest Perdew Wears Cross For Bravery in Fight on Machine Nests:
Eight Hundred and fifty men of the 364th division, heroes of the battle of the Argonne, passed through Colton (California) shortly after noon yesterday, bound for Los Angeles, where they paraded and then to Camp Kearny for demobilization. Colton Red Cross women met the trains.
Included in the detachment were a number of San Bernardino county men, conspicuous among whom was Earnest E. Perdew of Etiwanda, member of the 'first 13' contingent which left here in September of 1917 as the first draft contingent.
Perdew wore the distinguished service cross, awarded him for bravery in the battle of the Argonne. He was a sergeant in charge of a detail of men sent ahead to clear out three machine gun nests, from which Germans were pouring a deadly fire. It was a task from which officers did not expect many of the squad to return, but Perdew led them back to safety and with them came as prisoners the Huns who survived the attack of the Americans. For his deed of bravery, Perdew was awarded the cross. He is the son of J(oseph) E(dward) Perdew of Etiwanda (San Bernardino county, CA.).
Relatives and friends of San Bernardino county men met the returning soldiers at Colton yesterday.
*Note: Earnest's division in France was the 91st division, led by Capt. Deming Bronson. Earnest later named his son after this Capt. (It was misspelled as 'Denning' on the birth certificate and never corrected.)

According to the honorable discharge papers Earn received from the United States Army, dated April 29, 1919 at Camp Kearney, Ca., Earnest enlisted or was inducted Sept. 5, 1917 at the age of 24 11/12 years of age at San Bernardino, Ca. He was single and a boxmaker in Brawley (165 mi. away in Imperial Co., Ca.) by trade. He had blue eyes, light hair, medium complexion, was 'tall' (5'9 1/2" in height), slender and he was of excellent character.
He was made a Corporal on Dec. 5, 1917 and Sergeant on June 21, 1918. Engagements/skirmishes included: St. Mihiel offensive, Sep. 12 - 16, 1918, Meuse-Argonne Offensive Sept. 26 - Oct. 4, 1918, Ypres-Lys offensive, Oct. 31 - Nov. 11, 1918. He received no wounds during his time in the service and was discharged in good physical condition.

The San Bernardino Daily Sun, P. 11, Wed., Apr. 30, 1919
Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Perdew went to Los Angeles Saturday to meet their son, Sergeant Ernest (Earnest) Perdew of the 364th regiment. Sergeant Perdew hopes to receive his discharge soon and return to his home here.

The San Bernardino County Sun, P. 12
San Bernardino, CA.
Fri., May 2, 1919
SOLDIER PERDEW RETURNS WITH PRIZED D.S.C DECORATION
ETIWANDA, May 1 - Sergeant Ernest (Earnest) Perdew of H company, 364th infantry, of the 91st division, arrived at home Wednesday, bringing with him his D. S. C. awarded for bravery in the battle of the Meuse-Argonne. Sgt. and Mrs. Perdew have taken up housekeeping at Cucamonga where they have a cozy little cottage furnished. Mrs. Perdew, who was formerly Miss Claire Von Eine (Von Sien) of Cucamonga, went to Camp Lewis just before Sergeant Perdew left to France and they were married after which she remained for some time nursing in a Portland hospital. Since her return to her home she has continued her profession until the day of her husband's return.

Earnest (who she nicknamed 'Pete') and Clara (who he nicknamed 'Brownie') Perdew were the parents of five children:
1) Dorothy Jean Perdew Van Fleet, b. Apr. 17, 1920 in Upland, San Bernardino, CA. and d. Jun. 1, 1999 in Upland, San Bernardino, CA.
2) Denning Miles 'Jack' Perdew, b. Dec. 13, 1921 in Upland, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jul. 17, 2017 at Arcadia Methodist hospital in Arcadia, Los Angeles County, CA.
*Note: 'Denning' was named after Congressional medal of honor recipient, Bronson Deming. The original handwriting listed him as 'Deming Miles Perdew' - but a mistake was made in transcription, he was recorded on his birth certificate as 'Denning Miles Perdew" and the mistake was never corrected. (See note about Deming Bronson at the bottom of this memorial.)
3) Robert Earnest Perdew, b. Jul. 15, 1924 in Upland, San Bernardino Co., CA. and d. Sep. 21, 2007 in Alta Loma, San Bernardino Co., CA.
4) Kathryn Beth Perdew, b. Dec. 13, 1927 in San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jun. 19, 2019 at home in Alta Loma, San Bernardino County, CA. Kathryn married Ermal 'Speed' Osborne.
5) Richard Von Sien Perdew, b. Oct. 12, 1932 in Upland, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Mar. 15, 2013 in Melbourne, Brevard County, FL.

In the Jan. 26, 1920 U.S. census, 28 yr. old Earnest E. Perdew, b in Ca. was working as a boxmaker at a packing house and living at 439 Archibald Av. in Cucamonga Twp. with his (6 mths. pregnant) 30 yr. old wife, Claire, b. in MN. (no occupation listed).
They were living next to
Claire's 44 yr. old sister, Lydia, b. in Mn.,
Lydia's 59 yr. old husband, Charlie Brown, b. in Ma. and
their yr. old daughter Ruth., age 2 yrs. 4 mths.
on Charlie Brown's 20-acre citrus ranch.
*Note - 2 yr. old Ruth would someday grow up to marry Jim Lewis and would introduce Earnest & Claire's oldest son, 'Jack' to the woman he would marry some day (Jim's sister, Ruth).

Earnest's son, Denning M. 'Jack' Perdew says that when his father came back from WWI in 1919, he worked with his brother, Howard, operating a small dairy approx. 1/4 mi. east of the SE corner of Eli St. (renamed Philadelphia) and Euclid Ave. in Ontario, CA. They disbanded the operation after a few years. Howard was living with his parents and several siblings in one house and his brother, Earnest, lived nearby with his wife, Clara and their two small children in another house.
Earnest went on to a skill that he had learned earlier, that of making light wooden boxes for packing grapes in Cucamonga and Guasti, Ca. At the same time, he moved his family into a house on brother-in-law, Charlie Brown's property in Cucamonga, where he worked part-time for Charlie whenever he needed additional help, performing ranch work such as irrigating, smudging, etc.

Chino Champion (Chino, CA.), P. 1, Fri., Jul. 23, 1926
Excerpt from: AMERICAN LEGION BIG FORCE IN COMMUNITY
Winning Way to High Place in Affairs of Valley
MEMBERSHIP DOUBLED
Delegates Will Carry Report of One Hundred Per Cent Increase to State Convention
In one of the biggest pushes ever attempted by the organization for the bolstering of its membership, Chino Post American legion last week not only went over the top in its drive to meet the state quota of 75 but doubled its membership of last year and now has a register of 84 names with state and national headquarters.
Those who put their names to the dotted lines were Jas. W. Lewis, Samuel Morgan, Howard Perdew, Ernest (Earnest) Perdew, etc.

In 1927, Earnest obtained a Cal Vet loan and purchased a ten acre lemon ranch on Archibald and Lemon Avenues in Alta Loma. At the same time, he undertook the care of his citrus property and that of other owners. The care of these properties required a great deal of hard work, which meant that he was busy every day and many times day and night, cultivating (tractoring), pruning, irrigating, smudging and other necessary chores. The only time he took off was a week in the fall, without fail, to go to the Red Mountain and Sand Canyon areas of the Sierras with his brother Bob to hunt for deer. Earnest and Bob were skilled trackers and hunters and never failed to bring home venison for the table. On downing a deer. It was necessary to pack the animals, weighing more than 100 lbs., down the mountain on their backs.
On one occasion, 'Jack' remembers that his father worked for an entire month, smudging, without getting to bed, taking only occasional brief naps in a chair. It was an extremely cold year, so cold that unheated groves had citrus trees that split open, and the smudge pots in the colder locations (usually at the lower elevations) were lit early in the evening because of the freezing temperatures. As the night progressed and the temperatures continued to drop, it was necessary to light additional increments of orchard heaters at higher elevations, a process which continued throughout the night. As soon as the sun came up and temperatures rose past freezing, the smudge pots were extinguished and the work of refilling the pots with oil began immediately, continuing throughout the day. Thus, it was a 24 hour continuous cycle of work for weeks at a time. It was a period when there was constant smoke which blackened the curtains and left marks on the inside of people's houses, but the community, being dependent upon the citrus industry, tolerated these unwelcome occurrences. This was a period when children were frequently absent from school and teachers overlooked the truancy of children who were hired and received good pay to assist in the refilling of the smudge pots. There were times that Earnest - and Jack, who was helping his father, were so exhausted that they fell asleep while walking (but fortunately awakened before hitting the ground).

In the Apr. 19, 1930 U.S. census, 38 yr. old Earnest E. Perdew, a citrus farmer, was living at 295 Archibald St. in Cucamonga Twp., San Bernardino Co., Ca., with his
40 yr. old wife, Clara (no occupation listed), b. in MN.
9 yr. old daughter, Dorothy Perdew, b. in CA.
8 yr. old son, Demming Perdew, b. in CA.
5 yr. old son, Robert Perdew, b. in CA.
2 yr. 10 mth. old daughter, Katherine Perdew, b. in CA.
Earnest was 26 yrs. old and Clara was 28 when they married.
Earnest's parents were both b. in CA.
Clara's parents were both b. in Germany.

Oct., 1932 - item from the local newspaper:
ALTA LOMA
Mrs. Ernest Perdew and new little son, Richard Von 'Sein' (Sien), returned to their home, 1673 Archibald avenue, Saturday afternoon from the San Antonio Community hospital. The husky youngster, who weighed 9 pounds and 10 ounces, was just ten days old, born October 12th, and received a big welcome from his four brothers and sisters.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 12, Sat., Nov. 10, 1934
RETURNS FROM CITRUS BARED
(Special Staff Correspondence)
ALTA LOMA, Nov. 9 – Grower members of the Alta Loma Heights Citrus association received a total net return of more than $250,000 as a result of shipment of 264 carloads of fruit during the fiscal year just closed, it was learned this evening following the annual meeting at the packing house in Amethyst avenue. Results of the season's business were disclosed in the annual report of Robert H. Henderson, secretary-manager.
Elected to the directorate of the association for the coming year were George L. Belcher, J.F. Grass Jr., Nelson Van Fleet, Harry A. Ledig, George S.B. Ferguson, W.J. Parsons, L. Dudley Phillips, M.S. Breese and E.E. Perdew.
The board organized with Mr. Belcher, president; Mr. Grass, first vice-president; Mr. Van Fleet, second vice-president; and Mr. Ledig representative on the board of the Ontario-Cucamonga exchange. Mr. Henderson was reappointed secretary-manager.

*There are also articles dated 1937 & '38, naming E. E. Perdew as part of the directorate of the Citrus Association.

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 12, Col. 1
Sat., Nov. 11, 1939
Alta Loma Heights Association Reports Citrus Returns of $260,000
Excerpt from: SHIPMENTS OF SEASON TOTAL 325 CARLOADS
Paul Adams, Manager, Tells of Year's Activities; Other Talks Presented
ALTA LOMA, Nov. 10 - Shipment of 325 carloads of oranges, grapefruit and lemons brought a gross return during the past year to the Alta Loma Heights Citrus association of $260,000, according to the annual report of Paul Adams, manager, at the annual meeting of members held yesterday. The freeze of November, 1938, reduced both the volume and return to growers, he said.
H. A. Ledig, association president, directed the annual meeting, at which all directors were reelected and organized with J. F. Grass Jr., as president. (Also mentioned are 2 vice-presidents and a secretary-manager.) Completing the directorate are E. E. Perdew (and 3 others).

In the Apr. 10, 1940 U.S. census, 48 yr. old Earnest Perdew, the operator of a citrus ranch, b. in CA., was living at 1673 Archibald on a 'farm' (citrus ranch) in Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA., valued at $3,000, with his
49 yr. old wife, Claire Perdew, b. in MN.
20 yr. old daughter, Dorothy Perdew, b. in CA.
18 yr. old son, Denning Perdew, b. in CA.
16 yr. old son, Robert Perdew, b. in CA.
12 yr. old daughter, Katherine, b. in CA.
7 yr. old son, Richard Perdew, b. in CA.
Earnest had completed two years of college and Claire and Dorothy had finished one year of college. Denning was a high school graduate, Bob had finished two years of high school, Katherine 5th grade and Richard, 2nd.
Earnest was working on his own account.
The family was living at the same place in 1935.

In April, 1942, Earnest's beloved wife, 'Brownie', the love of his life, died.
He never remarried.

The Sun-Telegram (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 19, Col. 4
Sun., Mar. 7, 1948
Item from: Etiwanda Notes
ETIWANDA, March 6 - Ernest Perdew, tax assessor for this district, will be at the home of Miss Flora Hoppe Monday evening March 15 at 7 o'clock to talk with veterans in regard to tax exemptions. All ex-service men and women in the community are invited to attend.

According to the 1949 San Bernardino City Directory (CA.), Earnest E. Perdew was living in Alta Loma and working as a Deputy County Assessor.

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 12, Col. 2
Sat., Apr. 29, 1950
Item from: ETIWANDA NEWS NOTES
ETIWANDA, April 28 - Ernest Perdew of the county assessor's office will be at the Etiwanda school Friday evening, May 5, at 7 o'clock to assist Veterans in filing for their exemption on property taxes.

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 11, Col. 4 and P. 13, Col. 3
Mon., Oct. 17, 1955
Excerpt from: County Traffic toll For Past 48 Hours is 3 Dead, 33 Hurt
Four persons were injured in a three-car collision at 2:50 p.m. Sunday in Cucamonga.
Taken to San Antonio Hospital by Brown Ambulance were Clyde M. Kenniston, 55, of Claremont, major injuries; his wife, Bessie, 55, major; Ernest E. Perdew, 63, of 6295 Archibald Ave., Cucamonga, major, and John M. Bell, 25, of Los Angeles, minor.
Drivers of the three cars which collided at Foothill Blvd. and Hillman Ave. were Perdew, Kenniston and Bell, CHP Officer T. C. Kling reported. He said Perdew was stopped for a left turn when his car was hit in the rear by Kenniston's vehicle and knocked into Bell's car coming from the opposite direction.

The Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 14, Col. 3 & 4
Mon., Feb. 15, 1960
Excerpt from: In-Service Training Started For Appraiser's Office Staff
County Assessor John H. Bevis has started an in-service training course for personnel in his office, using staff appraisers as instructors.
The course, in form of round table discussions, tackles problems which members of the assessor's staff face.
The classes are held on the employe's off-duty time and are not compulsory. "Interest shown by staff members has been high," Belvis said.
"Every effort is being made, through the in-service training course and various appraising courses given at local colleges, to maintain well qualified appraising personnel," he said.
"It is the responsibility of the assessor to provide an equal tax base for all taxing bodies of the county, and these assessments must be, under state law, based on a fair market value of the property," he added.
Instructors in the course are: E. E. Perdew, rural appraiser (and 11 other industrial, urban, commercial, mines, personal property and audit division appraisers.

On November 1, 1962, Earnest E. Perdew retired after 16 years of commendable and continued public service as Assessor for the County of San Bernardino, according to his Certificate of Earned Retirement.

Later in life, Earnest and his brother 'Link' used to spend the summers, camping and fishing at Tinnemeha Creek, near Bishop in Inyo Co. at the base of Poverty Hill, which Earn's visiting grandchildren loved to climb. Earn and Link caught so many fish, that they had to go around camp, giving most of it away to their neighbors. -Another unforgettable camp favorite was the tasty pot of navy beans that Earn made with hunks of ham hock, sweetened with a little brown sugar!

Earnest named his first-born son after Deming Bronson, who was with Earnest in Co. H of the 364th Division and won the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. On the morning of September 26, during the advance of the 364th Infantry, 1st Lt. Bronson was struck by an exploding enemy hand grenade, receiving deep cuts on his face and the back of his head. He nevertheless participated in the action which resulted in the capture of an enemy dugout from which a great number of prisoners were taken. This was effected with difficulty and under extremely hazardous conditions because it was necessary to advance without the advantage of cover and, from an exposed position, throw hand grenades and phosphorus bombs to compel the enemy to surrender. On the afternoon of the same day he was painfully wounded in the left arm by an enemy rifle bullet, and after receiving first aid treatment he was directed to the rear. Disregarding these instructions, 1st Lt. Bronson remained on duty with his company through the night although suffering from severe pain and shock. On the morning of 27 September, his regiment resumed its attack, the object being the village of Eclisfontaine. Company H, to which 1st Lt. Bronson was assigned, was left in support of the attacking line, Company E being in the line. He gallantly joined that company in spite of his wounds and engaged with it in the capture of the village. After the capture he remained with Company E and participated with it in the capture of an enemy machine gun, he himself killing the enemy gunner. Shortly after this encounter the company was compelled to retire due to the heavy enemy artillery barrage. During this retirement 1st Lt. Bronson, who was the last man to leave the advanced position, was again wounded in both arms by an enemy high-explosive shell. He was then assisted to cover by another officer who applied first aid. Although bleeding profusely and faint from the loss of blood, 1st Lt. Bronson remained with the survivors of the company throughout the night of the second day, refusing to go to the rear for treatment. His conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to the members of the entire command.