Perea, Pedro, 1852-1906

<p>Pedro Perea, a member of a prestigious New Mexican political family, followed in the footsteps of his cousin Francisco, who served as a Territorial Delegate in the 38th Congress (1863–1865), and in those of his brother-in-law, Mariano Otero, who served in the 46th Congress (1879–1881). Like many other 19th-century Delegates from New Mexico, Pedro Perea served a single term in Congress before returning to a prosperous business career in the territory. An obituary characterized him as “an uncompromising Republican, broad minded, careful and earnest in his desire to see New Mexico take her place in the front ranks of the sisterhood of States.”</p>

<p>Perea was born in Bernalillo, Sandoval County, New Mexico—just north of Albuquerque—on April 22, 1852, to José Leandro and Dolores Chavis Perea. Perea’s father was a prominent merchant and a local politician; his mother managed the family home. Perea grew up in a wealthy household with eight siblings and three servants. He attended St. Michael’s College in Santa Fe; Georgetown College in Washington, D.C.; and St. Louis University, where he earned a degree in 1871. Perea returned to New Mexico and he formed a merchandising business with his brother that specialized in farming and ranching. Before formally entering politics, Perea used his status and influence to secure funding to expand the Santa Fe road. Perea married Emelia Montoya, and the couple had one son, Abel.</p>

<p>Perea’s formal political experience began when he was elected to New Mexico’s 27th Legislative Assembly (1886–1888) to represent Bernalillo County as a member of the territorial council. He served four two-year terms, three of them consecutive (1886–1892, 1894–1896), and focused on the territory’s financial and appropriations issues. In 1890 Perea continued to pursue business opportunities while serving as a territorial councilman, eventually becoming president of the Bank of Santa Fe from 1890 to 1894. Perea’s political career was closely aligned with the Santa Fe Ring, a Republican faction that dominated politics in New Mexico for much of the post–Civil War era. Perea’s political patron was Thomas B. Catron, a powerful lawyer and landowner who had been an associate of Perea’s father’s in the 1870s and served as a Territorial Delegate in the 54th Congress (1895–1897). In 1896 Perea served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in St. Louis, where William McKinley was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate. One year later, Perea, with Catron’s support, was considered for a federal appointment as New Mexico’s governor along with 20 other candidates. The administration passed over Perea for Miguel Otero, Jr., the son of Territorial Delegate Miguel Otero, Sr., and a prominent party operative in his own right. Members of the Ring objected not only to the administration’s choice of Miguel Otero for governor, but also to the actions of the sitting Delegate, Harvey Fergusson, who proposed statehood for New Mexico in the 55th Congress (1897–1899). Consequently the Ring rallied behind Perea’s bid for Delegate to oust Fergusson, which served as a check on Otero’s position, and helped maintain the Ring’s political influence in Washington and throughout the territory. Perea, enthusiastically nominated by local Republicans, was endorsed as a “hard working, efficient … and influential delegate, who will deserve and enjoy the good will and favorable opinion of his fellow members and the people of New Mexico.” Another endorsement said the “interests of New Mexico require that a protectionist be at the national capital to look after the … territory, and Mr. Perea is that man. Perea ran on his business acumen and legislative experience, and as an advocate for New Mexico’s farmers, miners, and ranchers.</p>

PEREA, Pedro, (cousin of Francisco Perea, cousin of José Francisco Chaves), a Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico; born in Bernalillo, Sandoval County, N.Mex., April 22, 1852; attended St. Michael's College, Santa Fe, N.Mex., Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and was graduated from the St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo., in 1871; principally engaged in agricultural pursuits and sheep raising; president of the First National Bank of Santa Fe 1890-1894; member of the council of the New Mexico Legislature in 1889, 1891, and 1895; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1896; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1899-March 3, 1901); was not a candidate for renomination in 1901; engaged in banking and also interested in stock raising; appointed Territorial insurance commissioner in 1906 and served until his death in Bernalillo, N.Mex., January 11, 1906; interment in Bernalillo Cemetery.

<p>Pedro Perea (April 22, 1852 – January 11, 1906) was a sheep rancher, politician and banker in the Territory of New Mexico. He served as a delegate to Congress from the Territory of New Mexico (1899 to 1901), after serving three terms on the council of the New Mexico Legislature. He was a younger cousin of Francisco Perea, who also served in Congress from New Mexico.</p>

<p>Pedro Perea was born in Bernalillo, New Mexico to a Hispano Catholic family whose ancestors had been in the area since the colonial era. He went to Santa Fe to attend St. Michael's College, Santa Fe, then equivalent to a boys' seminary. He next studied at Georgetown College, Washington, D.C., soon after it was founded. He graduated from St. Louis College, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1871.</p>

<p>After returning to New Mexico, Perea owned and operated a ranch where he raised agricultural crops and large sheep herd.</p>