Ella Martha Perley (maiden name: Stone) was born on December 10, 1845, in Berkshire, Vermont, to James R. Stone and Laura Howe. His father was a ladder master and harness maker who owned $1,000 of real estate and $1,500 of personal property in 1860. She attended school in Berkshire, and she married Moses Perley on October 11, 1875. They had at least three children: Laura, who was born and died in 1877; Catherine, born around 1884; and James, born around 1886. Her husband worked as a merchant. The couple settled in Enosburg, Vermont, and Ella remained there for the rest of her life. She died on January 9, 1917.