Elise Perras Museum

Elise Perras was born in Canada in 1853 to a Canadian mother and a French father. She came to North Dakota in 1880 and had her first child, Nell, in 1883. Another child, Olga, was born in 1890. The 1910 Federal Census lists her as widowed. Perras was living in Hazleton, North Dakota with her family when she was appointed its postmaster in 1903. While serving as postmistress, Perras was also the proprietress and owner of a millinery shop, which was also the location of the first post office and where Perras lived with her family. Elise Perras passed away in 1918. Her daughter Nell passed away the following year.

The Elise Perras Museum includes post office memorabilia, antique furnishings, and historical clothing, including several hats. Admission is free and by appointment only.

Sources:

I. 1910 United States Federal Census. Williamsport, Emmons, North Dakota. 27 April 1910. Retrieved from: ancestry.com

II. "Elise Perras Museum." North Dakota Tourism. 2017. http://www.ndtourism.com/hazelton/attractions/elise-perras-museum

III. "Elise L Perras." Find A Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Perras&GSfn=Elise&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1918&GSdyrel=in&GSst=30&GScnty=1765&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=108071779&df=all&

IV. Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971. NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls. Records of the Post Office Department, Record Group Number 28. Washington, D.C.: National Archives. Retrieved from: ancestry.com