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PERKINS FAMILY BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES BY STATE

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Perkins Research Ohio Biographical Sketches


 


JOHN PERKINS, and family were the first settlers in this township. They moved from Brunersburgh in the spring of 1883, and settled near where the village of Pulaski is now located. Mr. Perkins was born in the State of Virginia about the year 1770; came to Ross County, Ohio, and married a Miss DAWSON. The fruits of said marriage were there sons and four daughters. Isaac Perkins and Malinda (Perkins) Plummer, son and daughter, are now living in the county. Isaac Perkins came to Williams County in 1818, and, with his father, settled at Brunersburgh, and has been a resident of the county sixty-five years. Mrs. John Perkins died in Ross County, and he married ABIGAIL JONES, daughter of David Jones, and sister of Jabez Jones, now of Bryan, OH, to whom were born seven children, three sons and four daughters. Dr. Jabez Perkins, of Michigan; Elijah Perkins, living near Pulaski, and in this township; Mrs. Nancy (Perkins) Rawson and Mrs. Susana (Perkins) Masters, of Pioneer, and Abby (Perkins) Hester of said township, are still living. Mr. Perkins built the first mills at Brunersburg, and in 1833 sold his property to a Mr. Bruner, who subsequently laid out the village of Brunersburgh. He built the first mill in this county; he laid out the village of La Fayette (now called Pulaski), and sold the undivided one-half to John Patterson, of Columbus, Ohio. When the county seat was removed from Defiance, it was generally supposed that it would be located at La Fayette.

Source: County of Williams, Ohio: Historical and Biographical, with an Outline ... edited by Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard


JOHN PERKINS, a resident of Athens, Athens county, Ohio, was born on the 27th of December, 1791, in Leicester, Vermont, and was the fifth of the ten children of Dr. Eliphaz and Lydia (Fitch) Perkins. Dr. Perkins was born on the 21st of August, 1753, in Norwich, Connecticut; his wife, Lydia, was born, June 14th, 1760, in Canterbury, Connecticut, at which place they were married on the 17th of September, 1780. Dr. Perkins was educated and it is believed graduated at one of the Eastern colleges. Soon after leaving college he entered into mercantile business; but being unfortunate, and sustaining a heavy loss at sea, he abandoned the business, and commenced the study of medicine, and as soon as duly qualified entered upon the duties of the medical profession, and continued to discharge them with faithfulness and skill until advanced age. He removed with his family to Ohio in 1799, locating temporarily in Marietta, where he remained a few months, and where his wife died, leaving on his hands nine children, two of which, twins, were infants, born in Reading, Pennsylvania, while the family were on their journey. Their first child had died in infancy. In 1800 he visited Athens, at that time called Middletown, purchased a cabin home, and soon after removed his family to it. At one time after he settled there, there was only one other family on the plot where the town of Athens now stands; there had been two or three others, but they had left, and their cabins were empty. At an early date a post office was established in the place, and soon after Dr. Perkins was appointed Postmaster, which office he held eighteen or twenty years. Some two years after the death of his first wife, he married CATHERINE GREENE, a native of Rhode Island, and near kin of General Greene, of the army of the Revolution, an excellent woman, who died in 1821. Not long after this he married his third wife, the respected widow of Mr. Bezaleel Culver, of the vicinity of Athens, a good woman, and worthy member of the Presbyterian Church in Athens. She outlived her husband several years, and died on the 27th of August, 1837. Dr. Perkins was an early and fast friend of the Ohio University, and for a time its Treasurer. He took deep interest in the common schools in the county around. He was a man  of sterling integrity, ardent piety, and an efficient member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he was a Republican. John Perkins, from early childhood, had the benefit of moral and religious training. He had just entered on his ninth year, when his mother died, but her pious instructions and admonitions were written upon the young heart, never to be obliterated. When his father settled in Athens, school advantages were very limited, but on the opening of the Ohio University there was a change for the better. At its commencement, however, there were but three to answer to the first morning roll-call. John Perkins was one of that number. He continued in the institution several years, principally engaged in English studies, giving some little attention to the Latin, and intending to take a regular collegiate course, but his health became impaired, and he found it necessary to give up his books, which he did with great reluctance. Some time after this, in 1814, he entered the store of Messrs. Skinner & Chambers, in Point Harmer, as a clerk, and served there something over two years; and in 1816 he returned to Athens as a partner of Mr. William Skinner, above named, and began a mercantile business there, under the firm of John Perkins & Co., which continued some eight years, when it was dissolved, Mr. Perkins taking the stock on hand and continuing the business in his own name; and from this time until 1873 he was engaged exclusively in mercantile business, sometimes with partners, though generally alone, but in 1848 he made a change in the character of his trade into that of drugs and medicines. In the year 1821 he married MARY ANN HAY, of Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. She was born on the 16th of July, 1798. She had a good education, and was a woman of intelligence and refinement. Sometime after their marriage she became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and so continued until her death, which occurred on the 20th day of August, 1841. She left two daughters; Mary Hay Perkins, born 23rd of October, 1822; and who died, after a long and painful disease, on the 8th of May, 1849; she was an ardent Christian and member of the Presbyterian Church. The second daughter, Catherine Fitch Perkins, was born 26th of March, 1825; she was married on the 18th of September, 1845, to Mr. Joseph M. Dana, of Athens, Ohio , a highly respected and prominent citizen, and died in the joyful hope of a blessed eternity, on the 28th of January, 1848. She left one son, John Perkins Dana, who grew up under favorable circumstances, acquired a good education, graduated at the Ohio University, and is now a practical business man of unblemished character and upright principles. John Perkins married his second wife, NANCY HAMPTON, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of August, 1845. She was a native of London, England, and came to America in infancy with her parents, in about the year 1810, who settled in, or in the vicinity of, Philadelphia, where she grew up, and continued to reside until her marriage with Mr. Perkins. She was pious, and had many good traits of character, became a member of the Episcopal Church in early life, and so continued until her death, which occurred on the 20th of July, 1873. Mr. Perkins is habitually temperate , using neither tobacco nor strong drink of any description, is an early riser, and now, in the eighty-fifty year of his age, is remarkably active and healthy, for all which he sincerely thanks the Giver of all good.

Source: The biographical encyclopœdia of Ohio of the nineteenth century.


WILLIAM LEE PERKINS, lawyer, born in Ashford, Windham county, Connecticut, Jan. 22nd, 1799, and who, in April, 1879, was living in Painesville, Lake county, Ohio, was the son of William Perkins, a lawyer of distinction in Connecticut, who held at times the office of State's attorney and State senator. The family was of English origin, his great-grandfather, John Perkins, having emigrated from London and settled in Sutton, Massachusetts. His grandfather, Isaac Perkins, a respectable farmer, removed from Massachusetts to Connecticut. By his mother's side he was descended from Thomas Lee, who sailed from England with his family in 1641 and died on shipboard. The family settled in Saybrook, Connecticut. The eldest son, Thomas Lee, married Sarah Kirtland; their eldest child, John Lee, married Elizabeth Smith, of Lyme, CT; and the oldest child of this marriage, who was also named John Lee, married three times, his third wife, Abigail Tully, of Saybrook, CT, becoming the mother of Andrew Lee. He married Eunice Hall of Wallingford, their second daughter, Mary Lee, marrying William Perkins of Ashford, CT, Feb. 12th, 1795, William Lee Perkins being the third in their family of eleven children. His early education was obtained in the district schools. He was unable, on account of ill health, to enter Yale College, where his father and brothers were educated. In 1821 he commenced the study of law, finishing in the office of Hon. Henry L. Ellsworth, subsequently United States commissioner of patents. He was admitted to the bar at Harford, Connecticut, May, 1824, and at once removed to Windsor, CT, where he practiced four years. In 1828 he removed to Ohio, settling at Painesville. His credentials from the leading lawyers and public men of Connecticut immediately secured a good practice, and he divided with Reuben Hitchcock the leadership of the Painesville bar, being generally engaged in opposition to him in all the prominent suits. He was elected by the whigs in 1840 to represent the county in the legislature. In 1843 he was elected to the senate, holding the position four years. During his successive terms, holding the position four years. During his successive terms in the legislature he was chairman of the judiciary committee and common school committee. Among the important measures which he originated and carried through to a place on the statute book was the act relating to insurance for the benefit of the orphans and widows, which enabled the insurance of a husband's life for the benefit of his wife and children. The measure was opposed strongly and two sessions were consumed before the attempts to enact it into law were successful. Another bill in the same direction, being for the protection of the wife's interest, was that protecting the property of the wife against execution levied to satisfy the debts of the husband. This also was opposed but was carried through to the statute-book. In the legislature and out of it he was the voluntary champion of woman's rights and the zealous worker for the remedying of woman's wrongs, although not by any means an advocate of "woman's rights", in the later and more "advanced" acceptation of the term. The woman of Ohio were placed under great obligations to him by his energetic and steadfast efforts in their behalf, and those obligations were very generally acknowledged by them. In 1844, he was nominated by the whigs as one of the Presidential electors, and in 1848 was a member of the whig convention that nominated Zachary Taylor for Presidency. He was for many years prosecuting attorney of Geauga county, and also of Lake county after it was formed out of a portion of Geauga. He was for three years mayor of Painesville, was an active and earnest member of the local school board, and his services were in frequent demand as adviser, advocate, and arbitrator in matters of local importance and controversies arising from them. In 1868, an attack of paralysis impaired his capacity for hard work and he contracted his legal practice, but without entirely abandoning it until 1874, when his last argument was made before the supreme court of Ohio, after a full half century of successful and honorable legal practice. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, always active in its affairs, and contributing liberally to its support. He took special interest in the Sunday school, with which he was for many years intimately and laboriously connected. He was regarded as a peace-maker and general adviser for the settlement of local disputes and troubles of all kinds, a good lawyer, quiet and unassuming, whose long and honorable career in public, professional, and private life secured him general respect and esteem. He was twice married, first in 1827 to Miss JULIA GILLETTE, of Connecticut, by whom he had one son, William Perkins, in the employ of Pratt & Co., of Buffalo; and again in 1837 to MARGARETTA S. WAITE, a widow, by whom he had six children of whom four died. The survivors were, Mary L. Perkins, married to Charles H. Morley, of Fort Scott, Kansas, and George Perkins, assistant editor of the Chicago Times.

Source: A biographical cyclopedia and portrait gallery of distinguished men : with an historical sketch, of the state of Ohio (1880)


JOSEPH W. PERKINS. The career of Joseph W. Perkins is that of a man who has depended largely upon his own personal efforts to attain success. Mr. Perkins is entitled to a place among the successful, self-made men of the community, and his success has been attained not because of fortunate environments or lucky chance, but because of an indomitable will and tireless energy. Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails in some measure of success, even though the environments and conditions of early life may seem to be unpropitious. Joseph W. Perkins was born in Union county, York township, Ohio, near West Mansfield, January 28th, 1853. He is a son of George W. and Marjorie (Wiley) Perkins, who were natives of Ohio and early settlers in Union county. The family consisted of eight children, namely; Sarah A. Perkins, deceased, who was the wife of Rollin Daniels; William Perkins of Allen county, Indiana; Joseph W. Perkins, the subject of this sketch; Whitley Perkins, of Michigan; Amanda Perkins, wife of William Garroll, of Allen county, Indiana; Rachel J. Perkins, Matilda Perkins and Garilda Perkins, the latter three being deceased. The father was always a farmer and was among those who contributed a share of the hard labor required in the early development of lands in Union county. He continued to live and labor here until about 1862, when he removed to Allen county, Indiana, where he died in 1898, about seventy-one years of age. His widow survived him for a few years and passed away at the age of seventy years. They were members of the Christian church. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Perkins and his wife Phoebe (Cook) Perkins, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of York township, Union County, Ohio. After living several years on a farm in this township they removed to Allen county, Indiana, about 1862. Both died there well along in years. Their children were: William Perkins; Margaret Ann Perkins; Elizabeth Perkins; Michael Perkins; George Perkins and Melissa Perkins. The maternal grandfather was David Wiley and his wife was Elizabeth (Stanley) Wiley, early settlers of Richland county, Ohio. They lived in this county to a good old age, following the occupation of farmers. The children of this family were; Joseph Wiley; Richard Wiley; Marjorie Wiley; Mary Elizabeth Wiley; Drusilla Wiley and Cynthia Wiley. Joseph W. Perkins began his career on a farm in Union county and was nine years old when he went with his parents to their new home in Indiana. When he was thirteen years old he began making his own way in the world and has directed his personal energies to that end ever since. On account of this his opportunity for obtaining an education was limited, circumstances making it necessary to employ much of his time in such work as he could find to do. However, by attendance at the district schools whenever possible and by reading and applying his mind to practical affairs outside of elementary text books, he acquired an education sufficient for the requirements of the business in which he embarked, after he came to the years of manhood, was to get married, rent a farm and establish a home. Later he bought a general store at Raymond, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business for two years. His inclination and taste, however, were more in the line of agricultural pursuits and he disposed of his mercantile business and went back to the farm after this two year experience. He continued farming until 1909 and made a fair success of the business. In the meantime his wife inherited fifty acres of land and he purchased an additional seventy-six acres. They now have one hundred and twenty-six acres of fine land in Union township. In 1909 he left the farm and moved to Marysville, Ohio and opened up a furniture and undertaking establishment. Three years later he disposed of the furniture line and devoted his attention entirely to the undertaking business, in which he is still engaged. On February 3rd, 1875, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with LORENDA E. BURNHAM, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Hamilton) Burnham. The family record of this union is as follows; Catherine Florence Perkins married Harry Perfect and lives on a farm near Peoria, Ohio; Mabel Jeannette Perkins married Edward C. L. Barlow and lives in Marion, Ohio; Walter B. Perkins married Caroline Doulan and is engaged in farming on his father's farm in Union county, Ohio. He is a Republican and was at one time township treasurer in Logan county, Oho, where he had a general store and conducted a hotel in Middleburg, Ohio. Mrs. Perkins was born in Champaign county, Ohio, Feb. 3rd, 1853. Her parents were natives of Ohio and lived mostly in Champaign county. Her father died in 1888, aged sixty-two years, her mother died Feb. 12th, 1901, aged eighty-seven years. Their children were Lorenda E. Burnham; Maria D. Burnham; Elba V. Burnham; Elnathan H. Burnham; and Leroy Elmer Burnham. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Perkins was Elba Burnham and his wife was Lorenda (Burnham) Burnham. In this family were the following named children; Laura Burham; Daniel Burnham; Charles Burnham; Martha Burnham and David Burnham, who lived to be grown. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Perkins was James Hamilton, who was married to Maria Blue, both natives of Ohio. Their children were: Elizabeth Hamilton; James Hamilton; Alexander Hamilton; Silas Hamilton and Samuel Hamilton.

Source: History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions (1915)


Dr. GEORGE R. PERKINS, was born at Roxbury, Connecticut, January 6th, 1813. He studied medicine in Utica and Genesco, New York, was graduated from the Fairfield Medical School, Herkimer County, New York, and moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1835, where he soon built up a good practice. He married in Toledo, Ohio; ELIZABETH JENKS AERES, January 2nd, 1843, who lived but two years thereafter. Dr. Perkins died in Genesco, New York, July 15th, 1846. Those who knew him as a Physician unite in saving that he had no superior as a faithful and wise practitioner. 

Source: History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio .. (1888)


F.W. PERKINS, (Franklin W.), York township, Union county, Ohio, contains several farmers who were born in this same township, and among them, F. W. Perkins occupies a prominent place. His farm, known as the "Eureka Sheep Farm", consists of one hundred three and one-half acres, located two miles east of West Mansfield, Ohio and from this farm he has shipped American Merino Sheep to various parts of the United States and as far away as south Africa. He ranks among the leading sheep raisers of Ohio and has exhibited his sheep at many state and county fairs. F. W. Perkins, the son of William and Caroline M. (Rea) Perkins, was born on the farm where he is now living, June 28th, 1855. His father was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and his mother in Logan county and both came here before their marriage. His father came to Union county with his father, John Perkins, and located on the farm south of where F. W. Perkins is now living. Later John Perkins moved to Indiana, where he died. William Perkins grew to manhood in this county and he and his wife reared a family of three children: F.W. Perkins of York township, French W. Perkins, deceased; and Jennie A. Perkins, who died at the age of seven. William Perkins was a prominent man in this county for many years. He enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged from the service December 15th, 1864. F. W. Perkins was reared on his father's farm in York township and educated in the district schools in his home neighborhood. He married at the age of twenty-five and at once settled down to the life of a farmer and with a success which has stamped him as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of this county. In fact, he has made a reputation as a sheep raiser which extends far beyond the limit of his own county and even of his own state. As a breeder of American Merino sheep he has won a national reputation as is now the vice-president of the Vermont, New York and Ohio Merino Sheep Association, an honor which came to him because of his success as a breeder of this particular kind of sheep. He has exhibited his sheep at many state and county fairs and has won numerous prizes. He has made no less than six shipments of his prize sheep to South Africa for breeding purposes. Mr. Perkins has been twice married. He was first married to ELLA VOTAW, November 1st, 1880, and she died March 29th, 1883. To this union one daughter was born, Bertha E. Perkins, in 1881. Bertha Perkins died July 29th, 1901, leaving one son, Carroll W., who was born July 14th, of the same year. The second wife of Mr. Perkins was FLORA J. RILEY, his second marriage occurring December 26th, 1891. She was born in Ashland county, Ohio, November 22nd, 1861, and was educated in the schools of her home county. There were no children to this second marriage. Mr. Perkins and his wife are active members of the Church of Christ at West Mansfield and Mr. Perkins is a deacon and trustee of his church. Mrs. Perkins is a member of the Ladies Aid Society and also vice-president of the Farm Woman's Club of her township. Mr. Perkins is a member of the Protective Association of Union county, Ohio. Politically, he is a Republican and has served as a member of the school board of this township for the past twenty-one years. Mr. Perkins and his wife are well known throughout the county and have many warm friends who admire them for their many good qualities.

Source: History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions (1915)


WILLIAM PERKINS, farmer, P. 0. West Mansfield, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Octobers, 1825, and is a son of John and Phoebe *(Cook) Perkins. With his parents when about Fourteen years of age, he came to Union County, and settled on the farm now owned by Wesley Southard, in the southwestern portion of York Township, where his parents remained until the fall of 1864, at which time they went to Allen County, Ind., where they remained until their decease. Of a family of eight children three are now living—our subject, George W. Perkins and Melissa J. Perkins. On October 7, 1854, our subject married CAROLINE M. REA, who was born January 7, 1833, in Logan County; she is a daughter of David and Ruth Rea, early settlers of Logan County. The fruits of this union were three children, of whom two are now living, viz.: Franklin W. Perkins and French W. Perkins. Shortly after the date of his marriage, Mr. Perkins began keeping house in a log cabin near where he now resides. In 1874, having built a house of more modern architecture, which was better suited to the tastes and wants of the family, he moved therein. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio National Guards, and continued in the service until the following September. He has been successful as a farmer, owing mainly to his industry and skillful management, having everything done in the most orderly and advantageous manner. He is a member of the Disciples Church, and the owner of 161 acres of tillable land. He resides near where his father settled.

*(Cook) = Added by transcriber

Source: The History of Union County, Ohio : containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, churches, schools, etc.; general and local statistics; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest Territory; history of Ohio; miscellaneous matters, etc., etc.


SETH PERKINS, of Kinsman, was born in Hartland, Hartford county, Connecticut, Feb. 29th, 1780; removed to Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, at the age of twelve, and at twenty to Canandaigua, Ontario Co., New York, where he resided until April, 1804, when he emigrated to Ohio, with is earthly possessions on his back in a knapsack. He worked by the month through the season, and in October was married to LUCY THOMPSON, daughter of Thomas Thompson, who came to Hartford, Trumbull county, Ohio, the same year from Farmington, Hartford county, Connecticut. In the winter he made a clearing and built a cabin on the center line of Fowler, near the Vienna line, where he removed with his wife, then eighteen years old, in the spring of 1805, there being at that time only four families in the township, the nearest one mile distant through an unbroken forest. They endured all the hard-ships incident to so new a country, and made for themselves a home of comfort, humble through it was. At the time of Hull's surrender in 1812, he went with almost the entire male population of the county, to defend the northwestern frontier at Sandusky and Huron, from whence he returned about the 1st of Jan., 1813, with impaired health. He still resided on his farm in Fowler, which he had improved to a fine homestead, planted an orchard, which now by its perfectly straight rows shows his taste and care, and the fences being neat and substantial were an evidence of industry and thrift. In the autumn of 1818 he sold his farm to Abijah Silliman, and in April, 1819, removed to Kinsman, OH where he resided until Feb, 1846, when, by a fall, which resulted in concussion of the spine, he died three days thereafter. His family at the time of his settlement in Kingsman, OH consisted of himself and wife, six daughters, and one son, and afterward another son and daughter.

Source: History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties, Ohio (1882)


JOSEPH PERKINS, who is engaged in farming in Perrysburg township, Wood Co., Ohio, was born in 1844, and was bound out for service, until twenty-one years of age, to Cornelius Lamb, of North Carolina. When a youth of eighteen he ran away, and entered the Union army, as a servant to the officers, being thus engaged from July, 1862, until February, 1865. In the latter month he entered the regular service, in which he continued until Feb., 1866, valiantly defending the Union. On May 25th, 1868, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with Miss MARY DENT, a daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Grubbs) Dent, natives of Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY. She was the eldest of thirteen children, and was born August 22nd, 1850, in Good Hope, Fayette Co., Ohio. Her parents at the time were engaged in aiding the "Underground railway" at that place, and were in this service until their daughter was seven years of age. Their "station" was located on the farm of John Parrott, one mile west of Good Hope, Ohio. In 1857 they went to London, Ohio, whence they went to Canada, and after a short time removed to Detroit, Michigan. In 1858 they took up their abode in Lucas County, Ohio, where the father died May 10th, 1891. He met his death by violence at the hands of some one who had sold him liquor until he was drunk, and then threw him out of a second-story window, the fall breaking his neck.
After his marriage, Mr. Perkins came to Wood County, Ohio, and purchased forty acres of land, whereon he has since made his home. He is a respected and well-to-do citizen, enterprising and industrious, and his success has come as the reward of his own labors. His family numbered twelve children, seven of whom are living, namely; Joseph Milton Perkins, born May 16th, 1874; George Melvin Perkins, born March 3rd, 1880; Florence Evalena May Perkins, born June 28th, 1882; Hettie Alemida Perkins, born July 13th, 1884; Frank Ellsworth K. Perkins, born January 18th, 1887; Harry Walter A. Wood (Perkins?), born July 9th, 1891; and Frederick Arthur Perkins, born June 29th, 1893. The father of Joseph Perkins was born in Virginia, where he was a slave for fifty years, and went under the name of Joseph Williams, being in the service of a Mr. Williams. In 1879 he came to Ohio, to the home of his son, Joseph Perkins, in Wood County, Ohio, and died January 1st, 1894, in Sylvania, Lucas Co., Ohio.

Source: Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development ... biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. (Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co., 1897) Volume 2.


DAVID T. PERKINS, who has been prominently identified with the development of Ostrander, was born Oct. 25th, 1840, in Dover Township, Union Co., Ohio, on Little Mill Creek, and is a son of Schuyler and Rebecca (Rittenhouse) Perkins. Schuyler Perkins was born in Albemarle Co., Virginia, a son of Samuel Perkins, and he remained in his native state until after marriage and the birth of one child, when he moved to Ross County, Ohio. He remained there two years, when having found land to suit him better in Dover township, Union Co., Ohio, he brought his family to this section, where he secured 137 acres for $1.37 an acre. In order to make his payments he was obliged to sell his "dandy-wagon" to chop down trees and to exercise every known principle of strict economy. He gradually cleared his land and put in a first crop, but the work was wearisome and often discouraging as he had neither farm implements nor machinery. He built on his land the log cabin in which his son David T. Perkins was born and continued to live in it until he erected a substantial frame house. At the time of his death he was the owner of several hundred acres of excellent land which he had acquired through farming and stock raising. He married a daughter of Henry and Martha (Turner) Rittenhouse, and they had 12 children born to them, of whom the following reached maturity: William H. Perkins, residing in Dover township; Samuel Price Perkins, who died aged eighteen years; Martha Jane Perkins, who is the widow of Perry J. Sherman, residing in Dover Township; James H. Perkins, residing in Hutchinson, Kansas; David T. Perkins, Frances Elizabeth Perkins, deceased, who was the wife of William Abrams, of Iowa; Daniel Morgan Perkins, residing in Oklahoma; and Adoniram Judson Perkins, residing at Ostrander, Ohio. Schuyler Perkins was a faithful member of the Baptist Church and in early days frequently rode six miles on horseback in order to attend religious exercises. David T. Perkins obtained his education in a log school house near his home, three months in the winter being all that was afforded him, as from boyhood he was kept busy on the home farm, on which he continued to live until he was 21 years old. He then visited Indiana and remained one winter in Fulton County, during which time he was first married, after which he returned to Dover Township and engaged in farming for a few years. After his wife's death, he went back to Indiana and lived for two years with his father-in-law, and then returned once more to Dover Township, where he purchased a farm of 100 acres, which he operated until 1907. He now owns 165 acres of land which he used for grazing in summer, also owns 54 acres in and adjoining Ostrander, Ohio. Mr. Perkins was one of the organizers of the Ostrander Banking Company. In 1891 he bought 66 acres of land from Dr. John Fields, which he platted and made into town lots. He erected his own fine two-story brick residence on the southwest corner of North and Fourth Streets. All of the attractive and substantial houses which stand on Fourth Street and on the south side of North Street, west of Mr. Perkins residence, are built on the land which he has improved since 1891. Probably more than any other individual, Mr. Perkins has developed and improved Ostrander, Ohio. Mr. Perkins was married (first) in Fulton Co., Indiana, March 31st, 1863, to LYDIA A. HUDKINS, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Hudkins, residence of Kewanna, Indiana They had three children: Marion P. Perkins, born March 3rd, 1864, residing at Muscatine, Iowa; Sarah Rebecca Perkins, who died in infancy; and Olive Candace Perkins, who was born Sept. 6th, 1866, and died age 26 years. Mrs. Perkins died April 12th, 1871. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Perkins was married (second) Sept. 18th, 1873, to MELISSA G. RITTENHOUSE, who was born March 23rd, 1851, and died February 18th, 1905. She was a daughter of Thomas Rittenhouse and a granddaughter of Samuel Rittenhouse and a grandniece of Henry Rittenhouse, who was a Revolutionary soldier. To his second marriage Mr. Perkins had born the following children: Floron D. Perkins, born July 4th, 1874, who is a member of the faculty of a Baptist College at Williamsburg, Kentucky; Norman B. Perkins, born June 17th, 1877, residing at Williamsburg; Cora Belle Perkins, born June 13th, 1878, who married Frank Shover, of Ostrander; James E. Perkins, born July 18th, 1880, residing at Westburn, Tennessee; Maude M. Perkins, born April 18th, 1883, who married Prof. Harvard Valance, residing at Columbus, and Ervin C. Perkins, born May 2nd, 1893, residing at Williamsburg, Kentucky. In political preference, Mr. Perkins is a Democrat but he is not active in politics. On several occasions he has accepted office, but has never sought it and has served as trustee of both Dover and of Scioto Townships. He is member of Palestine Lodge, F & A. M. at Marysville, Union County, Ohio. He is a member of Springdale Baptist Church.

Source: 20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens (1908)


W.O. PERKINS, carpenter, Hamersville, Ohio, born in Clermont Co., Ohio, May 28th, 1830. He is a son of Aaron and Mary (Ricey) Perkins, the former a native of Kentucky, of German ancestry, and the latter of Ohio, of German-Irish parentage. Mr. Perkins received his education in Clermont County, and has been a carpenter by occupation through life. One year, he was the proprietor of a hotel in Hamersville, and for nine years was Postmaster of the village. Mr. Perkins was united in marriage, in 1864, to PAULINA FLICK. They have an adopted daughter, Cora. Mr. Perkins and wife are members of the M. E. Church. His grandfather, Matthew Perkins, settled in this county in 1805, when this county was almost a wilderness.

Source: The History of Brown County Ohio - Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co. - 1883


CHARLES F. PERKINS, one of the prominent young business men of Pleasant Hill, OH, cashier of the Pleasant Hill Banking Company, of which he is one of the heaviest stockholders, was born July 5th, 1882, in Owen Co., Kentucky, and is a son of George and Martha Ellen (Payne) Perkins. The parents of Mr. Perkins were natives of Kentucky, and his mother still survives and resides at Covington. His father died April 20th, 1891. He was a member of the Baptist Church. To George Perkins and wife three children were born: Walter Perkins, who died when aged eighteen months; Charles F. Perkins; and Elzie Perkins, who married Gertrude Smith, daughter of George Smith of McHenry, Kentucky, and has one child, Iola Perkins. Charles F. Perkins was educated in Owen County and the State University at Lexington, KY, after completing his college course he became bookkeeper for a banking institution at Wheatley, KY, where he remained for two years. From there he went into a bank at Ghent, Kentucky, and was assistant cashier for two years, and then came to Pleasant Hill, in March, 1907. Mr. Perkins came here a stranger, and opened up his bank when almost unknown, but he died not long remain so, for his square dealing and careful conservative methods soon appealed to both capitalists and the people at large, and a hearty support soon placed this financial institution among the leading ones of Miami County, Ohio. He invested in property, showing his intention to make this town of pleasant name and environment his permanent home, and how owns his own handsome residence, together with three town lots. He has shown a hearty interest in public affairs, and during the recent local opinion campaign against liquor gave three weeks of his valuable time to presenting this issue to the people. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Perkins was married November 27th, 1907, to Miss EFFIE ROBERTS, a daughter of W. A. Roberts, of Ghent, Kentucky. They are members of the Baptist Church. He is a member of Pleasant Hill Lodge, F & A. M., of Pleasant Hill.

Source: Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio (1909)


JOSEPH PERKINS, capitalist, was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, July 5th, 1819, and living June, 1880, at Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of Simon Perkins, a portrait and sketch of whom appear elsewhere in this work. He was educated at Marietta College, Ohio, where he graduated at the age of twenty years. On leaving college he entered his father's office, and after his father's death was concerned in the settlement of the estate until 1852, when he removed to Cleveland, and at once identified himself with the business projects and enterprises of the city. At the organization of the Bank of Commerce, he was elected president, and retained the position until the reorganization of that institution as the Second National Bank, when he was again elected president, and held the office until he resigned in 1872. He was actively interested in the affairs of Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad, which he owns its existence mainly to his brother Jacob Perkins; became a director, and on the death of Governor Tod, was chosen president, a position which he retained until the road was transferred by sale to the Atlantic and Great Western Railway Company. He was also for many years closely identified with the management of the Society for Savings, of Cleveland, and as chairman of the building committee of the National Bank building, was the first to propose and secure the erection of the first fire-proof buildings in Cleveland. He served as trustee of the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, for twenty years, taking a prominent part in the management of its affairs. As a member of the board of State charities he contributed greatly to its efficiency by the thoroughness with which the work of investigating the condition of the prisons and charitable institutions of the Sate was performed. He devised and urged the adoption of the new and improved methods of construction, which were gradually introduced. The Woman's Retreat was deeply indebted to his energy and liberality for its existence and success. Among the enterprises of a public character with which he was identified, the Lake View Cemetery was not the least important. This cemetery, one of the finest in the State, bears testimony in its beauty and variety to his taste and judgment, which were displayed in the plans for laying out the grounds. He has for forty years been connected with the Presbyterian church, in which he has been an active and influential worker, taking a deep interest in Sabbath--school work, and for many years was a superintendent. In all religious, benevolent and moral enterprises he takes a strong and generally very active interest. He has very positive convictions on the subject of temperance, and manifested his sympathies during the crusade of 1874 by acting as chairman of the committee under whose council the crusade against the liquor traffic was undertaken and conducted. During the war of Secession he contributed liberally to the support of the national cause. On Oct. 19th, 1844, he married Miss MARTHA E. STEEL, of Marietta, Ohio.

Source: A biographical cyclopedia and portrait gallery of distinguished men : with an historical sketch, of the state of Ohio (1880)

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JOSEPH PERKINS was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, July 5th, 1819, and died at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., August 26th, 1885. He was a son of General Simon Perkins, one of the earliest and most active pioneers of Ohio, who was extensively engaged in land transactions, and from whom he inherited a large estate. At the age of twenty, Joseph Perkins graduated from Marietta College. He then returned to Warren, Ohio, and after settling his father's estate, removed to Cleveland, Ohio in 1852, where the remainder of his life was spent. He was largely interested in banking, and as a business man showed great financial and executive abilities. The "Historical and Biographical Cyelopedia of Ohio," from which we extract this sketch, says of him: "His personal honesty was such that he won the unquestioned trust of everyone with whom he came in contact, and in the course of a long life that covered many large transactions, involved great sums of money, and touched on many personal interests, no one ever suspected him of a dishonest act or assigned to him a base motive. His character shone through all his deeds as the pure crystal.". It is not as a business man that Mr. Perkins is best known, but through his great philanthropy and boundless generosity, his active interest and labor in public and private charities, which were not confined within the limits of his own city or State lines, but extended to many institutions in the South as well as the North. Mr. Perkins most prominent public work was through his connection with the Ohio board of State Charities. It is but to repeat the language of all cognizant with the facts to say that his was the master-hand that shaped the work of that Board from the beginning. He was appointed by Governor Cox, in 1867, on the formation of the Board, and, by successive reappointments, continued a member until his death. On the occasion of the first meeting, he became impressed with the deplorable condition of many of the county jails. He gave the matter not only time and thought, but at his own expense traveled all over the Eastern States, inspecting a large number of penal and reformatory institutions, and giving the matter a close and intelligent study. He was an investigator and a philosopher as well, and, on seeing a defect, could not only discover its cause, but work intelligently towards a remedy. He modeled a plan which was accepted by the Board and made its own, and that has become known and copied the county over as the "jail system" of the Board of State Charities of Ohio. What he aimed to achieve was a model jail, in which prisoners could be held secure and not herded together. This much accomplished, Mr. Perkins next turned his attention to the infirmary system of the State, and made visits to many places, and learned much that showed the need of some direct and practical reform. This he suggested in a plan somewhat similar to the one mentioned above, modified to the needs of the class for which it was intended. One thing Mr. Perkins learned in these investigations, and that he strongly insisted upon in all his official relations and personal discussions with executive officials, and that was the less restraint placed upon the insane and the more air and outdoor work given them, the better for their physical health and chances of recovery. His infirmary plan has become a model for the county, and the best buildings erected anywhere have been in accordance with its specifications. Always a believer in the theory that crime or want should be prevented where possible, he was ever a strong and earnest friend to any measure suggested in aid of the children. His next step was the making of a plan for a Children's Home, to which he gave the greatest care and attention, and which expert testimony and practical experience have united in showing to be as nearly perfect as anything of the kind can be. In all these labors, and in the many other things he was enabled to do through is connection with this Board, Mr. Perkins kept himself in the background, and gave to the Board and not himself the credit of his thought and labor, while the expenses of his various missions never became a charge upon the State fund, but were met by him personally. His official associates appreciated his value to the causes they all held so dear, and in a fitting memorial to his honor declared that "Traces of his land and valuable service are seen in the annual reports of the Board, and the plans and estimates for jails and infirmaries therein published, and which we regard as the best in the world, are mainly his work, and were gotten up entirely at his expense."

Source: Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state (1907)- Volume 1


(GENERAL) SIMON PERKINS, soldier and pioneer, was born in Lisbon, Connecticut, September 17th, 1771. He was a descendant of one of the oldest Puritan families of New England, having descended from John Perkins, who came over with Roger Williams in the good ship Lion, in 1631. His mother, Olive Douglas, was a descendant of William Douglas, one of the colony from Boston which founded New London, Connecticut. His father was a captain in the army of the Revolution, and died in camp in 1778. Two of his maternal uncles were also officers in the army of 1776. At a very early age, owning to the death of his father, the estate, consisting of a mill and farm, came under his charge. It was part of the land purchased by his ancestors where they first settled in Connecticut, in 1695. In 1795 he removed to the then "Far West", and located at Owego, New York, where he remained about three years, and was occupied with large land agencies and other matters incident to the opening and settlement of a new country. In 1795, the State of Connecticut sold to the Connecticut Land Company, the Western Reserve, (except "the Fire Lands,") and in 1797, proprietors of that company residing in Windham and New London counties, united the stock which they held in the original company, and formed the Erie Land Company, and through their trustees proposed that he should go to new Connecticut and explorer the country, and report a plan for the sale and settlement of their lands. He accepted the proposition, closed his business at Owego, and in the spring of 1798, accompanied by James Pumpelly, afterward of Owego, proceeded through western New York (then an unbroken wilderness), by the way of Cayuga and Ontario Lakes, to Buffalo, where he obtained a sail-boat and coasted up Lake Erie. He entered Ohio on the 4th July, and established his camp about eight or ten miles south of the mouth of Grand river. He explored the lands of the company, examined into the character and prospects of the country, and returned to Connecticut in October. The trustees, before the next spring, made an agreement by which he was to assume the entire control or agency of the lands of the Erie Land Company, and for several years he spent his summers on the Reserve and his winters in Connecticut. His attention to business, and his integrity and discriminating judgment, were widely known and duly appreciated, and to him was committed the management and sale of more lands by non-resident proprietors than to any other person in the State; while in 1815 the State land tax paid by him, as agent and owner, amounted to one-seventh of the entire amount collected in the State. He was ever the patron of the pioneer, and his forbearance and leniency secured homes for many families who bless his memory. Warren, Ohio was the county seat of Trumbull, which embraced the whole Reserve, and when he and his wife made it their home, July 24th, 1804, contained sixteen log dwellings. In 1801, the first mail route northwest of the Ohio river was established from Pittsburgh to Warren, Ohio, via Beaver, Georgetown, Canfield and Youngstown. He was made postmaster general invaluable aid in establishing county post offices and in choosing reliable postmasters. In December, 1807, Mr. Granger, as postmaster-general, wrote him as follows: "SIR: You cannot be ignorant of the unpleasant aspect of public affairs between this Nation and Great Britain, nor of the vigorous preparations making for war in Upper Canada. In this state of things, it has become necessary to establish a line of express through your country to Detroit.. To avail ourselves of the energy of your talents at this crisis, I have to solicit your (and even more, to express my opinion that it is your duty) to depart immediately for Detroit.. I know of no other person whose exertions would, at this time, be as satisfactory to the government; and however inconvenient the discharge of this duty may be to yourself, it is what you owe to your country, and to the south shore of Lake Erie in particular". The services were rendered without delay, and a report made of his return to Warren, Ohio. The county west of the Cuyahoga river, and south, was Indian territory, except twelve miles square at Fort Miami and two miles square on Sandusky river, ceded by treaty of Greenville, 1795. He conversed with several influential Indians, and suggested to them and Governor Hall, at Detroit, the treaty which was made at Brownsville, November, 1808, by which the Indians ceded land for a road, and land to build a road, from the Western Reserve to the Miami of the Lake, and thus, by his far-reaching sagacity, secured this grant of territory, which cannot be too highly estimated as a private or public benefit. He was elected brigadier-general of the first brigade, fourth division, Ohio militia, and commissioned May 31st, 1808. Major-general Elijah Wadsworth commanded the division. On the 22nd Aug., 1812, General Perkins issued his brigade order (without knowing of the proceedings of Major-general Wadsworth) to the respective colonels under his command. The orders were as follows: SIR: Information this moment received by the express mail carrier that the town of Detroit is taken by the British troops and Indians from Canada. Also, that the whole army of General Hull on our northwestern frontier have been taken prisoners. That the Indians, etc., have progressed as far as the Miami, and are continuing their march this way. To repel the enemy, you are hereby ordered to detach one-half of the effective men in your regiment, with a suitable proportion of officers, and that they be well equipped for the field... This duty is to be done with all possible dispatch." General Perkins was assigned to command the troops detailed from the Reserve to protect the northwest frontier; and, on taking leave of the detachment, Major-general Wadsworth said; "To the care of Brigadier-General Simon Perkins I commit you. He will be your commander and your friend. In this integrity, skill and courage we all have the utmost confidence, and I hope that he will return you to me crowned with honors obtained by your bravery." West of the Cuyahoga river, he commanded a separate detachment, with the responsibility incident to a frontier exposed to a watchful and merciless foe. His force was very small and not well furnished, and when the muskets provided by the United States were at length received, they could not be used for want of flints. General Wadsworth joined him at Camp Avery, on the Huron river, and fully approved of all his actions and proceedings. His accounts were always kept with great system and accuracy, so that after a period of forty-eight years, when duplicates of official papers were presented to the accounting officers of the government for settlement, payments were repeatedly proved by claimants receipts. If the same measures had been pursued by all in command, millions would have been saved to the treasury. General Wadsworth retired from service Nov. 29th, 1812, and on the 1st December, General Perkins, in an order to his command said: "In obtaining the object for which you have taken up arms, it is expected that every officer and soldier will encounter the fatigues of the campaign with that patience that becometh free citizens who are protecting their own rights. It is confidently expected that every man will consider his exertions necessary for the common benefit of the country, and cheerfully render them. If you wish this campaign to terminate your fears of an invading enemy, industry and contentment must be substituted for idleness and murmuring." That campaign is a matter of history. When the term of service for the militia had expired, and General Harrison had been reinforced by troops in sufficient numbers to maintain his position, General Perkins retired from the service, and in the last official communication to him, dated Fort Meigs, Feb. 26th, 1813, General Harrison said: "In this my last official communication to you, I cannot avoid expressing my high sense if the zeal and ability with which you have performed your duty since you have been under my orders, and I beg you to believe that upon all occasions, and in every situation, I shall be, with great truth, your friend, William H. Harrison." He was strongly solicited by General Harrison and others of his army associated, to accept the commission of colonel in the regular army, tendered him by President Madison, but duty to his family, his increasing private business, and his extensive trust for others, constrained him to decline the office, although he cherished a fondness for military life. He organized, and was president of the Western Reserve Bank from its organization, Nov. 24th, 1813, until failing health induced him to resign, April 5th, 1836. During the twenty-three years of his president, he had the unanimous support of the directors and stockholders of the bank, and the careful and conservative policy for which it was distinguished, carried the bank safely thorough the various and severe financial storms which bore down all the other banks of the State that entered the field before or with it. "As good as a Western Reserve bank bill", became a common saying of the times. He was one of the men to whom was committed that extensive system of canals which was adopted and entered upon by the State of Ohio, mainly under the influence of the success of similar works in New York. State credit had been little tried since the disastrous days of the Revolution, and western State credit not at all. The state credit of Ohio was entrusted to the "canal fund commissioners," almost without restraint. With authority to create and sell in a foreign or domestic market the bonds of the State, and to supply funds by temporary loans also, as they deemed most expedient, they were under no bonds, and had no pecuniary compensation except actual expenses. During a period of about seven years, they issued and sold State bonds to the amount of $4,500,000, and at an average premium of nearly six per cent. Their first sale, in 1825, was at tow and one-half per cent, discount, but, with almost constantly increasing premiums, the last sale under his administration, in 1832, was made for a premium of twenty-four per cent. He was appointed a member of the board of canal fund commissioners, Feb. 7th, 1826, by the legislature, and reappointed, from time to time, irrespective of party, until the legislature passed the act to loan the credit of the State to railroads, turnpikes and other corporations. He viewed these acts as injudicious, and tending to increase the public debt far beyond corresponding benefits; and on the 13th of February, 1838, he tendered to the governor his resignation as canal fund commissioner. The vast increase of the State debt (over $2,000,000 during the year 1838), and the disastrous results of the policy of the law, fully justified his fears and objections regarding it. He was a constant attendant upon public worship on the Sabbath, and at all times and on all occasions, he inculcated sound morality and the great principles of the Christian religion, and with his sister, Mrs. Kinsman, endowed a professorship in Western Reserve College, at Hudson. There were remarkable men among the early settlers of the Western Reserve, and eminent among them Simon Perkins was known for the high and varied qualifications essential to command the confidence and esteem of men, to insure prosperity, to elevate society and promote order and love of country. On the 18th March, 1804, he married Miss Nancy Bishop, of Lisbon, Connecticut. Of this family, four sons; Simon Perkins, Joseph Perkins, Jacob Perkins and H. B. Perkins, survive him. Simon Perkins, his namesake and eldest son, was one of the most enterprising and prominent citizens of Summit county, Ohio. He was born in Trumbull county in 1805, where he was educated. In 1835 he removed to Akron, Ohio where his sterling qualities and abilities were soon employed in leading the affairs of the county. He projected the Cleveland, Zanesville and Cincinnati Railroad, and invested his fortune in it, but after manfully struggling against repeated disaster, the crash of 1837 compelled him to succumb, sinking his entire fortune. He was also a large wool-dealer, and a partner in that business with John Brown of abolition fame. By may he was called the noble Roman of Summit county, on account of his great influence and superior bearing. He married a niece of Governor Tod, and had eleven children, one of whom, Colonel George T. Perkins, president of the Akron bank, being an officer who served his country with credit in the war of the Secession.

Source: A biographical cyclopedia and portrait gallery of distinguished men : with an historical sketch, of the state of Ohio (1880)

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(GENERAL) SIMON PERKINS -- There are figures in the early annals of States which stand out against the background of history, marking eras of progress with which their names are irrevocably identified, and of these is the subject of this sketch. Simon Perkins, conspicuous alike for his talents, worth and energy, was born at Lisbon, Connecticut, September 17th, 1771. His father was a captain in the Colonial army of the American Revolution and died in camp, a hero and a martyr in the cause of independence, which sweet legacy he, and others like him, contributed for the American people for all future generations. In 1795 Simon Perkins emigrated to Oswego, New York, where he engaged extensively in land operations, in which he continued for about three years. He then, in the spring of 1798, went to Ohio in pursuance of the proposition of certain parties who has become proprietors of a large portion of the Western Reserve, by whom Mr. Perkins was employed to explore their lands and report a plan for the sale and settlement of them. Accordingly the summer of that year and several successive summers were spent by him in investigating the lands and in serving as agent for the proprietors. March 18th, 1804, he married NANCY ANNA BISHOP, and settled down at Warren, OH, on the Western Reserve, where he resided until his death. By his wife he had nine children; Simon Perkins Jr.; Anna Maria Perkins; Alvin D. Perkins; Alfred Perkins; Martha Perkins; Charles Perkins; Joseph Perkins; Jacob Perkins and Henry B. Perkins, all deceased but the last named. The land agencies entrusted to him for several years were so extensive that in 1815 he paid a State land tax into the public treasury amounting to one-seventh of the entire revenue of the State. He was for nearly thirty years the recipient of the unbounded confidence and esteem of his government and the people. In 1807, at the request of the general government, Mr. Perkins established mail lines through the Indian country to Detroit, Michigan. In the autumn of 1808 his efforts lead to the treaty of Brownsville, by which the Indians ceded lands for a road from the Western Reserve to the Maumee, or Miami of the Lakes. In May, 1808, Mr. Perkins was commissioned a Brigadier-General of militia in the division commanded by Major-General Wadsworth, and on learning the infamous surrender of Hull's army at Detroit, General Perkins ordered his colonels to prepare for active duty. To him fell the necessity of protecting a large portion of the Northwestern frontier. He was exceedingly active, having his scouts out far and near all the while. Later, General Harrison was sufficiently reinforced to dispense with General Perkins command, and the latter accordingly left the service February 28th, 1813, receiving the highest encomiums of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Northwest. At the suggestion of General Harrison and others, President Madison sent General Perkins a commission of Colonel in the regular army, but owing to his family and to a greatly increasing business, the latter declined the commission. From 1826 to 1838 General Perkins was an active member of the Board of Canal Fund Commissioners, and, as head of the commission, to him was entrusted the arrangement and execution of the extensive canal system of Ohio. The commissioners were under no bond and received no pecuniary reward, notwithstanding which they gave energy and impetus to the enterprise, and within the space of seven years sold State bonds for the public improvements to the amount of $4,500,000. In 1801 Mr. Perkins was authorized to establish a post office at Warren, OH, and he was appointed Postmaster, which position he held for twenty-six years. The office was first opened in a log-house. With other leading men he established a bank at Warren, in 1813, which was the first bank opened on the Western Reserve. He was chosen the president, holding office until 1836, when, on account of failing health, he resigned. During the twenty-three years of his presidency he had implicit confidence and entire support of the stockholders and directors of the bank, and the careful and conservative policy for which it was distinguished carried the bank safely through the various and severe storms which bore down all the other banks of the State that entered the field before or with it. "As good as a Western Reserve Bank Bill" was a familiar saying in those days. The remarkable record made by this bank during the many financial panics which it passed through was largely owing to the high, un-answering integrity and financial ability of its president; and one secret of the bank's success and stability was that it never loaned money to its directors. After the war broke out, and the Government provided for the organization of National Banks, it was the parent from which was born the First National Bank of Warren, of which Henry Bishop Perkins, General Perkins' youngest son, became president. Its bank stock was never divided, and forms now part of the stock of its successor, the First National. The remarkable history of this old Western Reserve bank is, it is believed, without a parallel in this country. General Simon Perkins was a conspicuous character for years among the many remarkable men who settled the Western Reserve, and he is yet held in affectionate remembrance as a good citizen, a moral and upright man, and a faithful friend. His influence in social and moral life is felt in the region of the Western Reserve to this distant day. He died November 19th, 1844, at Warren, Ohio, which had been his home for so many useful and happy years, his loss being mourned as a public calamity. His widow survived him several years, expiring at Warren, Ohio, in April, 1862, in the midst of her family and friends. She was a woman of rare charms of mind and character, and was peculiarly fitted for life-long and congenial companionship with a man of General Perkins' acknowledged worth.

Source: Biographical history of northeastern Ohio, embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumball and Mahoning. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with a biography of each, together with portraits and biographies of Joshua R. Giddings, Benjamin F. Wade, and a large number of the early settlers and representative families of to-day (1893)

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(GENERAL) SIMON PERKINS was born in Norwich, Conn, Sept. 17th, 1771. His father was an officer in the Revolutionary army, and in camp. The son removed to Oswego, N.Y., in 1795, where for three years he was occupied with large land agencies. In the spring of 1798 he went to the Western Reserve, to explorer and report a plan for the sale and settlement of the lands of "The Erie Land Company". He entered Ohio July 4th, and established "Perkins Camp" on Grand River. Returning to Connecticut in October, he was given entire control of the lands of the company. For several years his summers were spent on the Reserve and the winters in Connecticut. March 18th, 1804, he married Nancy Ann Bishop, of Lisbon, Conn, and with his wife settled the following July at Warren, Ohio. His integrity and superior business judgment and capacity were highly appreciated by land proprietors. So extensive were the agencies entrusted to him, that in 1815 the State land tax paid by him was one-seventy of the entire State reserve. He was the first postmaster on the Western Reserve. In 1807, at the request of Postmaster General Granger, he established a line of expresses through Indian country to Detroit. His efforts led to the granting, in a treaty held at Brownstown in 1808, the right of way to the United States for a rod from the Western Reserve to the Rapids of the Maumee, the Indians ceding lands a mile in which all the way on each side of the road.In May, 1808, he was commissioned a brigadier-general of militia. In the war of 1812, on learning of Hull's surrender, without waiting to hear from his superior officers, he issued orders to his colonels to prepare their regiments for active duty. To him was assigned the duty of protecting the Northwestern frontier. He held his position in the field until Gen. Harrison had been reinforced by regular troops and the militia were withdrawn. Gen. Harrison highly complimented his zeal and activity, and tendered him a colonelship in the regular army, which he declined. From 1826 to 1838, Gen. Perkins was an active member of the "Board of Canal Fund Commissioners," serving without bond or pecuniary reward, issuing and selling State bonds to the amount of $4,500,000. November 24th, 1813, he organized, and was president for twenty-three years of the Western Reserve Bank, conducting its affairs, during trying financial periods, with such wise judgment and management that "As good as a Western Reserve Bank bill" became a common saying. He died at Warren, Ohio, Nov. 19th, 1844. Lossing's "Field Book of the War of 1812" said of him; "Among the remarkable men who settled on the Western Reserve, Gen. Simon Perkins ever held one of the most conspicuous places, and his influence in social and moral life is felt in that region to this day". Of his six sons and two daughters, only two are now living - Simon Perkins, of Akron, Ohio and Henry B. Perkins of Warren, Ohio. The former removed to Akron, in 1835, and took an active part in the affairs of the county. He projected the Cleveland, Zanesville and Cincinnati Railroad; was a partner of John Brown, the Abolitionist, in the wool business, he married a sister of Gov. Tod. Jacob Perkins, next to the youngest son of Gen. Simon Perkins, was a man of unusual ability and industry. He was active in the promotion of education, was president and principal factor in the construction of the Cleveland and Mahoning Railway, to which he devoted so much of his energies and strength that his health gave way, and he died at the early age of thirty-eight. A short time before his death, he said to a friend, "If I die you may inscribe on my tombstone, "Died of the Mahoning Valley Railroad." Henry B. Perkins, the youngest son of Gen. Simon Perkins, occupies the old "Perkins Homestead" at Warren, Ohio. He is a very public spirited man; has done much to promote the cause of education, is a man whose solid weight of character and moral influence has made a strong impression upon his fellow men.
In 1878, he served on a commission to re-establish the boundary line between Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1879, and again in 1881, he was elected to the Ohio Senate, and has occupied other important public offices, but in every instance the offices has sought the citizen. As sketch of Joseph Perkins, another son of Gen. Simon Perkins, is given in Cuyahoga County.

Source: Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state (1907)- Volume 2

Also....

Mrs. Nancy Perkins, widow of (General) Simon Perkins, who died at Warren, OH, April 24th, 1862, aged eighty-two years and three months, from the Western Reserve Chronicle:

Mrs. Perkins was born in Lisbon, Conn, Jan.24th, 1780, and was a daughter of Capt. Ezra Bishop. Of a large family of children, she was the last survivor, and the only one who married and left descendants. On the 18th of March, 1804, she was married to Simon Perkins of Warren, OH, in the then Northwestern Territory, and soon after left for her new home in the almost broken wilderness of the far west. After twenty-two days of travel the journey was accomplished. Starting in a carriage, they were compelled, at Chambersburgh, Penn, by the bad state of the roads, to exchange that mode of travel for the saddle. Warren, OH was then a village of sixteen log houses, with perhaps two frame mechanic shops. Looking to the constant changes and improvements of the day, she was often led to contrast them with her early expectations, frequantly remarking that she had only looked forward (and that with doubt) to a period when the mails, then carried only on foot or on horseback, should be conveyed by coaches, little dreaming that she would live to see them come by rail and steam. She often spoke with devout admiration of the wonderful changes she had lived to witness, and was accustomed to conclude by saying "If man can make these wonderful improvements, what must his Maker be?" She was remarkable for tracing everything up to its great first cause. She was one who saw Sermons in stones, books in running brooks, and God in everything. Mrs. Perkins took great delight in cultivating fruits, and a few choice flowers, and what, in her view, lent to the flower it its greatest charm, was that it was a symbol of the wisdom, power and goodness of the Creator. Mrs. Perkins was no sentimentalist, she was a Christian, and her religion was something real, something practical. It went down into the very depths of the soul, guiding and controlling the whole life. For fifty-two years she was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Warren, OH, and at the time of her death had been longer a member then any other one then living. She took a deep interest in the welfare of the Church. To her is the Church indebted for its Parsonage, and many other munificent deeds. But more valuable than all, where her prayers and her pious influence. She was indeed a Mother in Israel. She loved the Sanctuary, and even down to her last illiness, was she punctually present on the Sabbath, whether in sunshine or in storm. Wherever you might meet her, whether at home or in the social circle, you were irresistibly impressed that you were in the presence of a woman of uncommon intelligence and deep toned piety, and you could pass through the deep waters of affliction. Of her nine children, six, together with her husband, had gone before her. Her a afflictions had chastened her spirit, causing her to loosen her hold on earth, and take strone hold on heaven. But the intelligent, the pious, the useful died. The Master says "Come up higher, where I have more important work for you to perform". The departure of Mrs. Perkins will be deeply felt by her family, by the Church, by the community: yes and beyond. Her prayers and her alms compassed the world. Her charities reached the needy at home and abroad. God gave her a heart to go good, and the means to do it, and faithfully did she execute her stewardship. Having finished her course, the benediction of her Master is, "Well done , good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord".

Source: The Daily Cleveland Herald, (Cleveland, OH) Saturday, May 17, 1862; Issue 116; Collection B


JOSEPH PERKINS, Capitalist, was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, July 5th, 1819, and is the son of Simon Perkins. He was educated at Marietta College, where he graduated at the age of twenty years. On leaving college he entered his father's office, and after the death of his father aided in the settlement of the estate until 1852, when he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and at once identified himself with the business projects and enterprises of the city. When the Bank of Commerce was organized he was elected President, and retained that office until the bank was reorganized as the Second National bank, when he was again chosen President, and held the office until he resigned, in 1872. He was actively interested in the affairs of the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad, which he owes its existence mainly to his brother Jacob Perkins. He became director of the road, and on the death of Governor Tod, was chose President, a position which he retained until the road was transferred by sale to the Atlantic & Great Western Railway Company. He was also for many years closely identified with the management of the Society for Savings, of Cleveland, Ohio, and as chairman of the building committee of that institution, and also of the building committee of the National Bank building,  was the first to propose and secure the erection of the first fire-proof buildings in Cleveland. He served as trustee of the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio, for twenty years, taking a prominent part in the management of its affairs. As a member of the Board of State Charities he contributed greatly to its efficiency by the thoroughness with which the work of investigating the condition of the prisons and charitable institutions of the State were performed. He devised and urged the adoption of new and improved methods of construction, which were gradually introduced. The Woman's Retreat was largely indebted to his energy and liberality for its existence and success. Among the enterprises of a public character with which he was identified the Lake View Cemetery was not the least important. This cemetery, probably the finest in the State, bears testimony, in its beauty and variety, to his taste and judgment, which were displayed in the plans for laying out the grounds. He was nearly forty years connected with the Presbyterian Church, in which he remained an active and influential worker, and he took a deep interest in the Sabbath-school work and was for many years a superintendent. In all religious, benevolent and moral enterprises, he took a strong and generally very active interest. He had very positive convictions of the subject of temperance, and manifested his sympathies during the crusade of 1874 by acting as chairman of the committee under whose counsel the crusade against the liquor traffic was undertaken and conducted. During the late war of the rebellion he contributed liberally to the support of the Union. He was married, October 19th, 1844, to MARTHA E. STEELE, of Marietta, Ohio. Four of the six children by this union are now living (March, 1875).

Source: The biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. 1876


JACOB PERKINS, Capitalist, was born in Warren, Trumball county, Ohio, September 1st, 1822, and was the second son of Simon Perkins. He was of studious disposition from boyhood, and after a thorough preparation in Burton Academy, Ohio, and at Middletown, Connecticut, he entered Yale College, in 1837. He was noted among his classmates for his literary and oratorical abilities, delivering the philosophic oration at his junior exhibition, and being chosen second editor of the Yale Literary Magazine, a position he filled to the satisfaction and pride of his classmates. His strength was not sufficient to enable him to continue his studies and other additional literary labor, and before the close of his junior year he was obliged to relinquish his studies, and go home without graduating with his own class. The next hear, his health greatly improved, he returned and graduated with the class of 1842. From college, he returned to his home and remained in his father's office until his father's death, and then, with his brothers, was engaged some time in settling the large estate. He was frequently called to address the peoples on public occassions, and always most eloquently. Early he became interested in politics, and made many effective speeches, advocating the principles of the anti-slavery ___,which at that time was not in popular favor. In 1848 he made a very bold speech, declaring that every human being had a right to own himself, it attracted much attention, because of its clearness and unanswerable arguments. In 1851 he was chosen by the people of his district to represent them in the Constitutional Convention, which framed the State Constitution which was adopted that year. His political principle placed him with the minority in that body, but his influence and position were equaled by very few of those in the majority. He never held but one other political position, that of Senatorial Presidential Elector for Ohio, in 1856, on the Freemont ticket. being an earnest friend to all educational enterprises, it was his suggestion and persistence which induced the authorities of Western Reserve College to adopt the conditions of a permanent fund rather than to solicit unconditional contributions; and he and his brothers made the first contribution to that fund. This permanent fund saved the college in subsequent years, when the institution became crippled and embarrassed by dissensions. Another noble and generous act was in uniting with two others in purchasing the grounds for Woodland Cemetery, in Warren, Ohio and, after beautifying them, transferring the property to the existing corporation. In 1853 work was commenced for building the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad. The company, of which he was President, he having been very influential in procuring the charter, had but a small stock subscription, and the tightening of the money market worked to prevent much increase. The bonds were disposed of with great difficulty, and when the financial crisis came the road was still unfinished, and the bonds could not be sold. Railroads which were to connect with the Mahoning, to prolong the route to the sea, were abandoned, and the prospects were thus more gloomy. One of two things had to be done; either abandon the enterprise and lose all that had been done, or complete it, at the risk of the private fortunes of the mangers, from Cleveland to the coal fields. They chose the latter, by Mr. Perkins agreeing, in case of disaster, to pay the first one hundred thousand dollars of loss, and to share equally with the others in any further loss. In 1854 he went to England to raise money, but was unsuccessful. In 1856 the road was completed to Youngstown, and the development of the coal and iron business commenced. In June, 1857, his wife, to whom he was most devotedly attached, died of consumption; and his close attention to her sick-bed broke down his constitution. The next winter he spent in the Southern States, and the summer of 1858 he returned again to the South; but his disease was beyond cure, and on the 12th of January, 1859, he died in Havana, Cuba. His remains were embalmed and brought home, and interred in his beautiful Woodland Cemetery, in Warren, Ohio. Richly endowed with natural gifts, and sacrificed, in the interest of humanity and freedom, all hope of a political career he was so well fitted to adorn. He cheerfully laid on the altar for the public benefit, ease, wealth, health, and his fond love of study. One of his last ermakrs was that on his tomb stone might justly be engraved; "Died of the Mahoning Railroad". He was married, October 24th, 1850, to ELIZABETH O. TOD, daughter of Dr. J. I. Tod, of Milton, Trumbull county, Ohio. His wife and two of his children died before his own death. His son, Jacob B. Perkins, is still living.

Source: The biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. 1876


COL. SIMON PERKINS, of Akron, OH, son of the late Gen. Simon Perkins, of Warren, Ohio, was born at the latter place Feb. 6th, 1805, where he remained until 1834, when he came to Akron and settled upon a tract of wild land containing some 5,000 or 6,000 acres, which he purchased in 1827. For a number of years prior to his removal to Akron, he assisted his father in the management of various land agencies, and in earlier years had experienced in clearing up the wild lands of his native town. His education was at the common schools of Warren, Ohio. In Sept., 1832, he married Miss GRACE I. TOD, daughter of Judge Tod, of Youngstown, by whom he had eleven children; eight of them are still living. Col. Simon Perkins came of good Puritan and Revolutionary ancestry, being the descendant of John Perkins who came to America with Roger Williams in 1661. His grandfather was Captain in the war of the Revolution, and his father commanded the forces raised in Northern Ohio for the defense of the frontier in the war of 1812. His mother was a Douglass, descendant of William Douglass, one of a Boston colony which founded New London, Conn. After settling in Akron, Col. Perkins devoted himself to the improvement of his property, selling farms to settlers as they were wanted; raising improved breeds of stock and sheep, employing for a series of years, as Superintendent of these farming and stock operations, John Brown, afterward famous in the anti-slavery annals of the country. An eventful period, financially, in the life of Col. Perkins was that in which the Cleveland, Zanesville & Cincinnati Railroad was constructed to Millersburg. He was President of the road from the first organization of the company until it passed into other hands, and in the construction of the same, embarked his private fortune as well as all his energy and weight of character, and ultimately sank in the enterprise his own accumulations and what he had inherited from the estate of his father. In the later years of Col. Perkins life, he has found congenial employment in superintending the improvements of the grounds of the Akron Cemetery Association, and whatever of beauty and attraction those grounds now possess beyond their natural wildness and suitableness are due mainly to the Colonel’s good judgment and love of the picturesque. Col. Perkins was never an office-seeker, always feeling probably that the man was more than any office, and that office should seek the man to fill it. Grace Park will always witness to his magnificent liberality. It was a gift to Akron before Akron hand thought of being a city, and bears the name of his wife. There is no flaw in Col. Perkins’s character. It is sterling throughout, and sound to the very core. His business integrity and the purity of his private life have always been above suspicion.

Source: History of Summit County: with an outline sketch of Ohio By Albert Adams Graham


HENRY PERKINS, Akron, son of Simon Perkins, was born in Akron, Ohio, on the old homestead, April 8th, 1842. He attended the public schools until he attained his 20th year, when he became clerk in the Quartermaster's Department, under his brother, Simon Perkins Jr., who ranked as Captain and Assistance Quartermaster for the Army of the Cumberland, and followed the fortunes of the army until the close of the war. On his return, he accepted a clerkship with the Cleveland Rolling Mill Co., having charge of the business department of the office ever since. Oct. 20th, 1868, he married Miss EMMA WHITE, of Cleveland, Ohio; one daughter is the result for the union. He is Superintendent of the Congregational Sabbath School, and Deacon in the church.

Source: History of Summit County: with an outline sketch of Ohio By Albert Adams Graham


CHARLES E. PERKINS, Akron, sixth son of Col. Simon Perkins; was born in Akron, Ohio, May 7th, 1850; attended public schools, and made further preparations at Hudson College; and, in about 1868, he entered the Troy Polytechnic Institute, where he pursued the engineer’s course for three years, taking both a civil and mining course. On his return to Akron, continuing six years, the first year acting as assistant, and the last five being in the West. In the spring of 1878, he opened an agricultural warehouse on Canal street, where he has since conducted business with good success. He handles all kinds of agricultural implements, carriages, wagons, scales and feed. In Jan., 1880 he married Miss MAY ADAMS, daughter of Frank Adams, of Akron, Ohio.

Source: History of Summit County: with an outline sketch of Ohio By Albert Adams Graham


COL. GEORGE T. PERKINS, banker, Akron, OH, son of Col. Simon Perkins, was born in Akron, Ohio, May 5th, 1836. His education was acquired in the schools of Akron and at Marietta College. In April, 1861, he enlisted as private soldier in the 19th O.V.I. , and at the organization of Company B was elected its Second Lieutenant, and participated in the West Virginia campaign. In Aug., 1862, he re-enlisted in the 105th O.V.I., and was promoted to the rank of Major. He was with the army of Gen. Sherman and Gen. Thomas in the Atlanta campaign. In 1864, he was made Colonel of the gallant 105th Regiment, and was its commander until the close of the war, being mustered out at Washington in June, 1865. On his return to Akron, he became Secretary of Taplin, Rice & Co., and held that position until July, 1870, when at the organization of the Bank of Akron, he became its President, continuing in that office until 1876, when at the demise of Mr. Alden Gage, Mr. Perkins became Cashier. He is also Secretary of B. F. Goodrich & Co., of the Akron Rubber Works.

Source: History of Summit County: with an outline sketch of Ohio By Albert Adams Graham


HENRY BISHOP PERKINS - No family in the Western Reserve section of Ohio has ever stood higher or contributed more to the material development and moral worth of the community than the family of General Simon Perkins, and his descendants. Inheriting that sturdy integrity which seemed inherent in the early pioneers of this country, General Simon Perkins transmitted to his children the same strong qualities for which he was noted. Henry Bishop Perkins, the youngest son of General Simon Perkins, was born at Warren, Ohio, March 19th, 1824. General Perkins died when Henry Bishop Perkins was but twenty years old, yet, at that early age, he had already manifested those splendid qualities of manhood, justice and unimpeachable integrity, which he carried through his long and useful life. Possessing a keen sense of responsibility, a fine dignity, and attractive physical presence, he immediately took the position in the community made vacant by the death of his distinguished father. Remaining at the old homestead in the town of his birth, he devoted his entire life toward higher ideals of good citizenship in the community. He bestowed generously of his time and money to the encouragement of those less fortunate than he and contributed a very large share toward making Warren the beautiful city it is today. Mr. Perkins, with that true democracy which had characterized his ancestors and descendants, was a student in the schools of Warren and later entered one of Ohio's first institutions of higher learning, Marietta College. After a tour of Europe where he gained valuable experience by travel and broadened his sympathies by contact with people of many lands he entered diligently upon the work of the management of the estate left to his care. Notwithstanding the many demands upon his time, in conducting his private business, Mr. Perkins never failed to assume and discharge every duty which falls on the Warren Board of Education and to his excellent judgment in a large degree the high standard of Warren schools and her beautiful schoolhouses are attributable. Nor did he confine his educational interest to his home city, but in connection with his brothers, endowed a professorship in the Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio.
Removed but a generation or two from the pioneers who had blazed the first trails in a new country. Mr. Perkins inherited also that of love of nature without which one rarely becomes a sympathetic and well-rounded man. The grounds surrounding his home on Mahoning Avenue were filled with rare trees, shrubs, plants and flowers, while his fine farms in Trumbull county were examples of the painstaking husbandman who appreciates that Nature is a good accountant and gives in the measure that she receives. Mr. Perkins realized that agriculture is the true basis of all prosperity and he farmed well, just as he did everything well. He was twice elected president of the Trumbull County Agricultural Society, was twice appointed a member of the State Board of Agricultural and was for many years a trustee of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. To the duties of each position he gave that same thorough attention which he devoted to his private business. Always a lover of the beautiful and artistic, Mr. Perkins laid out, ornamented and maintained Monumental Park, in Warren, which among other things, will always remain to hallow his memory in the city he loved so well.
With a multiplicity of private and public duties demanding his constant attention, Mr. Perkins was in the most ideal sense a home man, devoting every attention to his family and extending the radius of his sympathy and assistance to his neighbors and friends. In 1855, Mr. Perkins was married to Miss ELIZA G. BALDWIN, daughter of Norman C. Baldwin, a prominent and popular man, who was conspicuous in the early business life of Cleveland. Mrs. Perkins is a woman of keen intellect, generous impulses, remarkable dignity and has contributed her full share in maintaining the high standards of excellence and worth of the descendants of General Simon Perkins. Four children were born to them; Mary B. Perkins, now Mrs. H. A. Lawton, of Warren, Ohio; Olive D. Perkins, now Mrs. Samuel W. Smith, of Cincinnati; Jacob Perkins, who died in 1902, and Henry Bishop Perkins Jr., who died in 1900. Mr. Perkins believed in teaching people to help themselves, and in a practical way he tided many business men over crisis, helped young men through college and without ostentation gave assistance to helpless woman and children. Before the days of bonding companies, men of means were called upon to stand sponsor for men in public office. Mr. Perkins during his lifetime was probably on the bond of more men in public and private matters than any other man in his community. When thanked for these favors, he always quietly replied that he could perhaps better afford to take the risk than others, and did not therefore deserve any praise. He served as president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association, and gave a great deal of time and thought to the beautifying of the grounds. A generation ago the Warren Library was not the prosperous institution it is today. It was then without means, and it seemed that unless assistance came the library must close its doors, but it was enabled to continue its work by generous donations from Mr. Perkins. His practical experience and sound advise were always in demand, and when Trumbull county's stately new court house was being planned and erected in 1895, Mr. Perkins was appointed to advise with the commissioners in carrying out that important work. He never at any time sought public office, but accepted it rather as a duty which a good citizen owes to his community when called upon to serve. Thus in 1879 he was elected to the Ohio Senate, and re-elected in 1881, which position he held four years. In 1888 he was a Republican elector for Benjamin H. Harrison, then a candidate for president, which honor was particularly gratifying to Mr. Harrison, as Mr. Perkins' father, General Simon Perkins, had been a personal friend to President William Henry Harrison, the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison. Mr. Perkins was one of the commissioners chosen by Governor Bishop to establish the boundary line between Ohio and Pennsylvania in 1879. Perhaps one of the most notable incidents of Mr. Perkins' public career was in connection with the great Garfield-Grant-Conkling mass meeting, which he was largely instrumental in bringing to Warren in 1880. It was at this historic gathering that bitter and warring political interests were reconciled, which assured the election of James A. Garfield for president in the November following. Senator Conkling, Senator Cameron, General Grant and William McKinley were all entertained at the hospitable home of Mr. Perkins upon that occasion. Mr. Perkins early became one of the stockholders and directors of the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad, now one of the most important branches of the great Erie System. In 1852 Mr. Perkins was elected a director of the Western Reserve Bank, which was one of the oldest banking institutions in Northern Ohio. Upon the expiration of its charter in 1863, the First National Bank was organized, and Mr. Perkins was chosen president, which office he held until the time of his death, nearly forty consecutive years. Mr. Perkins conservative business judgment, his unquestioned integrity and his general popularity fitted him for this position of trust. Recognizing his high standing, experience and ability, in 1861 Secretary Chase, of the United States Treasury, selected Mr. Perkins to assist in making the first national loan necessitated by the Civil War. Added to his many other public duties, Mr. Perkins served for many years as trustee of the Cleveland Historical Society, and was appointed by Governor McKinley a trustee of the Cleveland State Hospital. With liberal and unselfish views, he lived his life from day to day, and when he died, March 2, 1902, there was left a vacancy in the community that has never been filled. Mr. Perkins was a supporter of the Presbyterian church, but in his philanthropy and liberality he did not confine himself to any one church or denomination. For more than three score years, Hon. Henry Bishop Perkins stood a pillar of strength in the old Western Reserve city of his birth, and his entire life was without stain. Kind, exemplary to a high degree, thoughtful, industrious, systematic in all he thought and did, generous and dignified, but ever finding time to aid the lowly and encourage the ambitions, his career forms the best possible example for those who have come after him. He was the old school of citizenship, embodying in his life a certain chivalry, yet with all a becoming simplicity, which formed a connecting link between the old and the new and rendered him one of the most beloved men Trumbull county ever produced.

Source: A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests (1909) by Upton, Harriet Taylor; Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago (Ill.),Pages 3,4,5


DAVID W. PERKINS, farmer, P.O. Jeffersonville, OH, was born in Washington County, Ohio, March 30th, 1838, and is a son of Samuel and Frances (Ward) Perkins. The former was born in 1805, and his wife in 1810. They were both natives of Ohio, and settled in Washington. He died in March, 1850, and his wife in 1863. David W. Perkins was united in marriage with ELIZABETH ERVIN, November 3, 1864; she was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, March 6th, 1839. He has been engaged in farming and raising stock through life. He acquired a common school education, and is a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity. He and his wife reside on a farm in Stokes Township, surrounded with all the comforts of life. They are both members of the Christian Church.

Source: The history of Madison County, Ohio (1883)


J. W. PERKINS, Virginia township, Coshocton Co., OH; born May 12th, 1833, in Coshocton Co., Ohio; son of Thomas and Mary (Wagner) Perkins, and grandson of John and Perella Perkins, and of Joseph and Rebecca (Beal) Wagoner. Mr. Perkins was brought up on a farm, went to school at Westerville seminary, and at the age of twenty years began school teaching, and has taught every year since, except two. He is also engaged in farming. He was married Oct. 12th, 1854, to Miss ELIZABETH TREG. Mr. Perkins has seven children living and two dead. Post office, New Moscow, Coshocton Co., OH.

Source: History of Coshocton County, Ohio: its past and present, 1740-1881. Containing a comprehensive history of Ohio; a complete history of Coshocton County ... a history of its soldiers in the late war ... biographies and histories of pioneer families, etc.. (1881)


SAMUEL PERKINS, Virginia township, Coshocton Co., OH, born in Belmont Co., Ohio, January 16th, 1834. In May, 1857, he moved to Coshocton Co., Ohio; son of Fielder and Delia Perkins. He married Miss MARGARET BARKHURST, in 1860. Mr. Perkins has five children, viz: Maria E. Perkins, John H. Perkins, Agaline T. Perkins, Nelson L. Perkins, and Letha U. Perkins. Post office, New Moscow, OH

Source: History of Coshocton County, Ohio: its past and present, 1740-1881. Containing a comprehensive history of Ohio; a complete history of Coshocton County ... a history of its soldiers in the late war ... biographies and histories of pioneer families, etc.. (1881)


Rev. THOMAS PERKINS, of Wilberforce, a retired minister of the African Methodist Episcopal church and the owner of a large plantation in the state of Mississippi, is a striking living example of the amazing accomplishments of the Negro race since the days of emancipation. Born a slave, he was eighteen years of age when by that divinely-directed stroke of the immortal Lincoln's pen he became a freeman. Slavish servitude, however, had not crushed within him that strong native sense of industry that later was to bring him so large a measure of success, nor had his instinctive aspirations for something beyond such servitude been stifled thereby. Exercising a sense of proportion and a keenness of judgment that can not be commended to highly, he remained on the plantation on which he was born, a rich Mississippi cotton plantation of nearly one thousand acres; saved the greater part of such wages as came to him after he became "his own man", improved such opportunities as he could seize in the way of education and mental development, applied his native common sense to the task in hand and in time became the owner of the plantation on which he had labored as a slave. In the meantime, in the pursuit of the material things of life, he had not been neglecting the cultivation of the spiritual side of his nature, and after a powerful conversion turned his attention to the spread of the gospel message, in due time was ordained a minister of his church and became the presiding elder of his district. Upon his retirement from his plantation he came North, joined the Wilberforce settlement, erected there a comfortable residence and has since been living there, very properly possessed of a sense of accomplishment that might profitably to the race be set out in a much more ample tale than the limitations of this brief biographical sketch will permit. Thomas Perkins was born on a plantation in Leflore Co., Mississippi, Nov. 15th, 1845, son of Rufus and Isabella Perkins, who were slaves on adjoining plantations in that county and who continued to make their home there after emancipation. Rufus Perkins lived to be seventy years of age. His widow survived him until 1902, she being eighty years of age at the time of her death. She was the mother of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, of whom but two are now living, the Rev. Thomas Perkins having a half-brother, John Robinson, who is still living in Leflore county, Mississippi. When Lincoln's emancipation proclamation freed the slaves Thomas Perkins was a husky young slave boy on the plantation on which his mother was held. He had practically no opportunity to acquire a knowledge of letters, such lessons as he had received along those lines having been but occasional Sunday lessons delivered to the youngsters on the plantation by one of the kind-hearted woman in the "big house", but from the days of his early youth, he had felt a longing for that form of learning that comes out of books and after emancipation he and some of the other young folks of his race in the neighborhood formed a group, employed a teacher and set up an "independent" school in which he was able to advance somewhat farther than the knowledge of the mere rudiments of learning and his mind was thus opened to the possibilities of self-study which he later improved to the great advantage of himself as well as to the advantage of those with whom he came in close personal touch. Upon his release from bondage he received for his labor the sum of fifty cents a day, paid by the owner of the nine-hundred acre cotton plantation, but so simple were his needs that he was able to save the greater part of even his meager wage. He married when twenty-one years of age and after that his wife helped him save. It was his custom to have his employer reserve his wages until the end of the year, when he would receive the pay for his year of toil in a lump sum. Before his marriage he made an old tool chest his bank, there being no bank within sixty miles of the place, but after his marriage he found his wife's "bustle" a safe and ample receptacle for his accumulating wealth. After a while he branched out on his own account and sub-rented a portion of the plantation oh which he had been employed. His industry and excellent methods of farming produced their rewards and as he prospered he extended his operations, still successfully, until in 1892 he was enabled to buy the whole of the plantation of nine hundred acres on which he had so long labored, and six hundred acres of which he still owns, having sold three hundred acres of his place upon his removal to Wilberforce. In 1885 he was converted at a revival meeting being held in the African Methodist Episcopal church in the neighborhood of his home and felt a powerful call to turn his talents in the direction of the ministry of his church. He presently was admitted to the conference and for two years served as an itinerant preacher, this service proving so acceptable to the conference that he was ordained and not long afterward was made presiding elder of his district, in the meantime, however, continuing to carry on his farming operations. After a while his health began to fail and he was advised to come North. In 1897 he arranged his affairs in Mississippi so that he could leave his big farm in charge of a responsible tenant and moved to Wilberforce, the fame of which active center of race education had long been dear to him, and there has ever since made his home. In 1899 he erected there the twelve room house in which he and his family reside. He owns a tract of seven acres surrounding the house and there enjoys comforts and advantages that he hardly could have even dreamed of in the days of his boyhood when a slave down on a Mississippi cotton plantation. Though long retired from the active ministry he continues to take an interest in church work and is a member of the board of stewards of Holy Trinity church at Wilberforce. Politically he is a Republican. The Rev. Thomas Perkins has been twice married. In 1866 he was married to LULU FISHER, who was born in a county adjoining that in which he was born in Mississippi, and to that union were born eleven children, those living being, Alice Perkins, wife of L. Baker, superintendent of construction of United States government buildings; first colored man to have that place, now stationed in Detroit, Michigan; Lizzie Perkins, wife of Fred McGinnis, instructor in printing in Wilberforce University; Eliza Perkins, wife of Gilbert Allen, of Wilberforce, the two making their home with Mrs. Allen's father, and Bryan Perkins, who is married and lives at Centralia, Illinois, where he is engaged in the railroad shops. The mother of these children died in 1897, and on March 2nd, 1909, Reverend Perkins married ELLA IRVING, who was born in Kentucky.

Source: History of Greene County, Ohio: its people, industries and institutions; (1918)By: Michael A. Broadstone.


JACOB F. PERKINS. The Perkins family of which Jacob F. Perkins of Swan Creek is a representative is English, the parents and four children coming to the United States in 1853 and locating in Wayne County, Ohio. In Feb., 1870, Jacob F. Perkins was born in Wayne Co., OH. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Burr) Perkins. William Perkins removed from Wayne county, Ohio in 1870, locating in Swan Creek township. He bought eighty acres in the brush, and some of it heavily timbered, and he cleared twenty four acres, residing there until the time of his death in 1894, and the wife lived there until 1905, when her death occurred. While thirteen children were born to them, only five reached manhood and womanhood. Anna Perkins is the wife of Levi Swartz, of Hastings, Nebraska; Mary Perkins is the widow of Jacob Hodgebone, of Toledo, OH; Julia Perkins is the wife of Charles Wilford, of Toledo, OH; Joseph Perkins lives in Swanton, OH; and Jacob F. Perkins lives on the farm in Swan Creek. In March, 1899, he married OCIE E. PETERSON, of Swan Creek. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Williams) Peterson. Her father came from Long Island, while her mother had always lived in Swan Creek. one daughter, Grace Perkins, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins. Mr. Perkins has served as school director for many years. He has served two terms as township trustee, and he was instrumental in building eight miles of hard road in that time. He is a democrat in politics, and is a member of Brailey Grange and a stockholder in the Brailey Grange Hall Company. While he has put many industrious years on the farm that was his boyhood environment, Jacob F. Perkins has evidently acknowledged the call of public spirit and has freely enlisted his services in every community project for the general welfare. He is one of the thinking men found in agricultural circles today who are doing so much to increase the attractiveness of farm life and also improve the general economic conditions of those who till the soil.

Source: A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county – Frank H. Reighard


EDWIN B. PERKINS has lived in York Township, Fulton county, Ohio, for almost sixty-three years. He comes of pioneer residents of Clinton and York Townships, and has given his whole life to useful development and profitable industry in York Township, where he is esteemed as a substantial and industrious resident, and public-spirited and good hearted neighbor. Edwin B. Perkins was born in York township, Fulton county, on March 15th, 1857, the son of Evander and Susan (McAllister) Perkins. In the paternal line he comes from an old colonial New England family, and through his mother his genealogy connects with a New York state family. His father was born in Connecticut and his mother in New York state, where they were married, and from which state in 1845 they eventually came into Ohio, and to Clinton Township of Fulton county. Four years later Evander and Susan (McAllister) Perkins moved to York township, having purchased the farm known as the Steadman Farm, upon which for the next ten years they resided, and upon which their son Edwin B. Perkins was born. Evander Perkins died in 1867, but his widow lived a further thirty-three years, her demise not occurring until 1900. They were the parents of five children, namely; Eliza Perkins, who is the widow of William Welling, and now lives with her brother Edwin B. Perkins; Eunice Perkins who married Solomon Fisher, but is now deceased (*Transcribers note: Eunice (Perkins) Fisher b.4.28.1845 died 11.6.1919 - Charlotte, MI - Buried Maple Hill Cemetery); Lydia Perkins, also deceased; William A. Perkins, a successful farmer in York Township; and Edwin B. Perkins. Edwin B. Perkins was reared in the wholesome environment of the parental farm, and in due course attended the public school of his home district, giving, as he grew, increasing assistance to his father in the operation of the farm. He was ten years old when his father died, and thereafter his part in the operation of the farm became increasingly important. With his elder brother he remained near his widowed mother until he was thirty years old, when he married and set up a separate establishment, residing on the seventy-five acre farm that he in partnership with his brother owned. The farm was to the southward, in section 7 of York township, and it was his home until 1897, when he sold his interest in it to his brother, and soon afterwards bought a farm of 104 acres in section 31 of York township, a good farm, well improved. There he lived and worked for the next twenty-one years, until 1918, when he acquired sixty acres of the farm in section 7 he had formerly occupied and had sold to his brother. He resides here, but his days of strenuous labor are over, and his agricultural property he now rents to a reliable tenant. He has lived an energetic life, has farmed well and enterprisingly, and during his life has manifested commendable personal traits. Consequently he has good place among the leading residents of that section of Fulton county. Politically he is a republican, and during his life has shown close interest in local movements of public character; yet he has never sought public office, contenting himself by contributing by his industry to the progress of the county. He married on Jan. 1st, 1888, NETTIE FOUTY, daughter of Spencer and Anna (Criswell) Fouty, and granddaughter of William Fouty, a pioneer settler in Clinton township. William Fouty was born in Switzerland, but was an early settler in Ohio. In 1851 he came into Fulton county, having acquired a tract of eighty acres of virgin timer land in Clinton township. Spencer Fouty, father of Nettie, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and Anna Criswell was born in Wayne county, Ohio. James Criswell, father of Anna, was born in the United States, but was of Irish descent. Nattie Fouty, who married Edwin B. Perkins, is a native of York Township, Fulton county, and received her education in the local school, and during her long life in the community has been interested and active in the church and social affairs of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin B. Perkins are the parents of two children; Walter W. Perkins, who now manages the home farm; and Vern E. Perkins, who also has stayed with his parents. Walter W. Perkins married Georgie Biddle, daughter of Stillman and Mina (Highshoe) Biddle, of York Township, April 16th, 1919.

Source: A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county - By: Frank H. Reighard
 


HILLYER D. PERKINS - The old Perkins homestead, which is now in charge of Miss Ann Louise Perkins, second child of the late Hillyer D. Perkins, has been in possession of the family since it was purchased by her grandfather in 1818. It is therefore one of the most interesting historic landmarks of Kinsman township and Trumbull county. The picturesque and valuable estate consists of two hundred and twenty-nine acres of land, which is now rented to desirable and careful farmers. Hillyer D. Perkins was born in Kinsman township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, on the homestead mentioned, Sept. 22nd, 1821, and it was the scene of all the main events of his life, including his marriage to Miss LOUISA BENNETT, of Hartford, Ohio, who died shortly after. On Aug. 10th, 1845, he married Miss SUSAN S. LOWRY, of Tallmadge, Ohio, she being then within one day of her twenty-third year. She died on the old homestead Aug. 12th, 1907, the day after she celebrated her eighty-fifth birthday. The four children born of this second marriage were as follows; Henry L. Perkins, born May 25th, 1846; Anna Louisa Perkins, born October 11th, 1850; Frederick H. Perkins, born May 19th, 1853; who died at Orwell, Ohio, April 22nd, 1898, having been engaged in that place as a banker for one years, and for many years was associated with the Bank of Kinsman, Ohio; Jessie Perkins, born October 4th, 1864, now Mrs. W.L. Chidester, a resident of Chicago, IL. Mr. Perkins died on Christmas Day of the year 1882, having passed his life as a faithful, industrious, unassuming citizen and Christian.

SETH PERKINS, the grandfather, who founded the family in Ohio, was a native of Hartland county, Connecticut, born February 29th, 1780. At the age of twelve years he moved with other members of the family to Barkhamsted, Litchfield county, CT, and when twenty years old settled at Canandaigua, New York, where he resided until 1804. He was among the first of the colonists to enter the country northwest of the Ohio river, and came hither with all his earthly possessions in a knapsack. Nevertheless, in the following October, he married Miss LUCY THOMPSON, daughter of Thomas Thompson, who had migrated from his Connecticut home to Hartford, Trumbull county, Ohio. He had made a clearing and built a small log cabin near the line between what are now Fowler and Vienna townships, and in the spring of 1805 the young couple commenced housekeeping in this locality. At this time there were but four families in Fowler township, the nearest being about a mile distant, all around being dense forest, unbroken except by wild beasts and savages. The succeeding seven years, however, made considerable improvements in the surrounding country, and especially in the Perkins timber farm; but, carried away by the excitement and patriotism caused by the war of 1812, the head of the family joined his neighbors and started for what was then the northwestern border, the two chief objective points of the American forces being Sandusky and Huron. He returned June 1st, 1813, having gained a new experience and restored health. The homestead in Fowler township remained the home of the Perkins family until the autumn of 1818, much of the land being now cultivated, an orchard having been brought to full bearing, and other improvements being added indicative of the thrifty and thorough farmer. In April, 1819, having sold his farm in the previous autumn, Mr. Perkins removed with his family to Kinsman township, and there established the estate which, with constant changes and improvements, has descended to the present. While working on the old homestead, which has become familiar and beloved by the associations of twenty-seven years, he met with an accident which caused a serious concussion of the brain, followed by his death in February, 1846.

Source: A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests (1909) by Upton, Harriet Taylor; Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago (Ill.), Pages 214,215


SIMON PERKINS, farmer, P.O. Randolph, OH, was born in this county, November 17th, 1834, a son of David and Electa (*Tupper) Perkins, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Massachusetts. David Perkins came to Ohio about 1814; his wife some years later. They were married in Summit County, Ohio, where they remained a number of years, thence came to this county, and here remained until their death. The father, who was a stone-mason by trade, died March 12th, 1864; the mother in 1878. October 1st, 1854, our subject was married to MARY ANN ROGERS, born in Randolph Township, this county, June 6th, 1835, daughter of William and Minerva Rogers, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania respectively, but residents of this county, where they died, former in 1849, latter in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are the parents of three children: David S. Perkins, born January 8th, 1856, and now a practicing physician in Cleveland, Ohio; Electa B. Perkins, born January 5th, 1859, wife of C. B. Ladd; and Maude S. Perkins, born July 24th, 1868, residing with her parents. Our subject has engaged in farming and owns 127 acres in Randolph Township. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and G.A.R., and is a F. & A.M. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He has filled the office of Trustee several years. In the war of the Rebellion he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of an infantry company (Randolph Guards), May 11th, 1861, and December 14th, following, was commissioned Captain of same company, but so many of his company enlisted into the United States Regular Army that it was disbanded. Our subject was next elected Captain of Company G, Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, February 21st, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins and family reside in this township, where they have a pleasant and beautiful home.

Source: History of Portage County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, history of the Northwest Territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc

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Joel Coburn, -farmer, P. O. Suffield, was born August 28, 1825, in Brimfield Township, this county; son of David Coburn, of Mauson, Mass., and Nancy (Moulton) Coburn, of Brimfield Township. Of their eight children three are now living: Joel, Lucy Ann (Mrs. Meacham) and Martin V., all of this county. Our subject married, September 28,1848, DIANTHA PERKINS, daughter of David Perkins, who became a resident of Springfield Township when thirteen years of age, and Electa (Tupper) Perkins. Seven children were born to them, four of whom are still living: Silas Perkins, Simon Perkins, Ellen Perkins (Mrs. Rogers) and *Diantha Perkins ( Mrs. Coburn). Mr. and Mrs. Coburn are parents of the following children: Wilbur D. Coburn, married to Lunetta A. Sabins, and Curtis E. Coburn, who died February 27, 1879, aged twenty-five years. After a four years' residence in Brimfield Township our subject settled upon his farm of 161 acres in Suffield Township, where he has since resided. He has been a life-long Democrat; has served the township as Assessor and Trustee. Mrs. Coburn is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: History of Portage County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, history of the Northwest Territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc.

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Volney Rogers, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Randolph, was born in Randolph Township, Portage Co., Ohio, August 1, 1837, son of William and Minerva Rogers, former a native of Connecticut, latter of Pennsylvania, and who settled in this county, where they remained until their death in 1850 and 1857 respectively. Our subject was united in marriage, April 23, 1859,with MARY E. PERKINS, born in Suffield Township, this county, February 10, 1844, daughter of David and Electa Perkins, who died in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born five children, three now living: Dennis E., born May 16, 1868; Nellie I., born September 9, 1880, and Ruth V., born February 9, 1884. Those deceased are Benjamin V., born January 31, 1860, died June 8, 1867, and Blanche A, born April 19, 1875, died June 15, 1882. Our subject has been engaged in farming and dealing in stock, and owns 130 Acres of good land. He enlisted in 1861 in Company I, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out June 22, 1864. Mr. Rogers, who went to school to James A. Garfield, and boarded with him one term, was also a teacher, and taught fifteen terms.


Source: History of Portage County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, history of the Northwest Territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc.


PETER PERKINS, farmer, P.O., Cardington, Ohio, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, February 8th, 1819; his parents were natives of Virginia, and came to Belmont Co., Ohio about 1804, where they lived the balance of their days. Here Perkins lived until 1847, when he came to the present county of Morrow, and purchased the land upon which he still makes his home. It was then in the woods, but buy his energy and thrift he has turned it into pleasant fields, from which he reaps the benefit of his days of toil in bringing it under cultivation. He was married in 1842 to Miss EMILY RUSSELL, whose parents were also natives of Virginia, and came to Belmont Co., Ohio at about the same time of the Perkins family. From their marriage there were ten children, three of whom are now dead. Mr. Perkins has two sons in the late war. They went out in 1864. One of them, Isaac Perkins, died in a few months thereafter; and the other, Jephtha Perkins, served till the close of the war, and returned to his home. Mr. Perkins began business at the bottom of the ladder, and can appreciate a home built by his own hands, having comfortable surroundings.

Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, embracing its topography, geological, physical and climatic features; its agricultural, stock-growing, railroad interests, etc.; a history of Morrow County, giving an account of its aboriginal inhabitants, early settlement by the whites, pioneer incidents, its growth, its improvements, organization of the county, its judicial and political history, its business and industries, churchs, schools, etc.; biographical sketches; portraits of some of the early settlers and prominent men, etc., etc.


WILLIAM L. PERKINS, of the firm of William Perkins & Company, manufacturers of mantels, enameled grates, etc.., Nos. 94 & 96 Elm Street, Cincinnati, was born in the year 1839. His father, Rev. Lemuel B. Perkins, was born in the year 1809, and still lives upon the field of his life-long labors in the church, in Trumbull Co., Ohio. He was self educated, and an earnest worker in the United Brethren church. He was married to Miss PHILA A. SCOVELLE, of Philadelphia, by whom he had eight children, three of whom are still living. Mr. William Perkins, after receiving nearly a full classical course in college, entered the Forty-sixth Ohio regiment as second leader of the regimental brass band, where he remained sixteen months. In 1863 he went into a pork merchant business, as book-keeper, and after remaining there for three years, was offered a partnership in the house, and not asked to advance a dollar for the business. In 1877 he started his mantel and grate store, with spacious salesroom and works, on Elm street. Mr. Perkins keeps a fine line of goods, his elegant and costly Mexican onyx mantels, protection grates, etc., being well worth one's inspection. He was married in 1866 to Miss SARAH E. STOKES, of Pennsylvania. He has his residence in Madisonville.

Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio Vol. 2. By: Sarchet, Cyrus Parkinson Beatty.


GREEN CO., OHIO PERKINS DEATHS:

1. Robert G. Perkins, Sugar Creek, OH, 1826; died near Bellbrook, OH, April 1836; buried there December 24th, 1825, married ELIZABETH ROBINSON.
2. John Perkins, Caesar's Creek, OH, 1826; son-in-law of John Downey.
3. Thomas Perkins, Dr., Xenia, OH, 1896, soldier of 1812; born April 17th, 1787, died in 1841, aged fifty-six, buried in Woodland.
4. Baker Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1811, died in 1846, father of Thomas B. Perkins, John S. Perkins and Stith G. Perkins; buried on the farm south of Xenia, OH.
5. William W. Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1826; son of Thomas and Elizabeth; born July 5th, 1803, died Septermber 20th, 1830, aged twenty-seven, buried in Woodland.
6. Thomas B. Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1826, son of Baker Perkins.
7. Isaac S. Perkins, Dr.; Xenia, OH, 1826; died October 11, 1843, aged forty-seven, buried in Woodland.
8. Henry W. Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1828, died August 24, 1832, aged twenty-six, buried in Woodland.
9. Joseph Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1828.
10. Thomas S. Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1830, died May 10th, 1886, aged eighty-six, buried in Woodland.
11. Thomas M. Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1826, died in Nebraska City, Nebraska, April 23rd, 1860, aged fifty; married MARY JANE PARKISON.
12. John Perkins, Xenia, OH, 1821; died October 6th, 1871, aged sixty-eight, buried at Bowersville, OH.
13. Isaac Perkins, Beaver Creek, 1819.
14. Robert Perkins, Beaver Creek, 1811, died April 5th, 1836, aged sixty-four, buried in Mt.Zion Churchyard.
15. Valentine Perkins; Bath, OH ?, 1840.

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MISC. INFORMATION:

1. James Buckles, Sugar Creek, 1803, son of William Sr., October 13th, married SARAH PERKINS.
2. D. L. Devoe, Sugar Creek, 1830, November 15th, 1827, married ANN PERKINS.
3. John H. Harbison, Beaver Creek, 1819, September 16th, 1819, married ELIZABETH PERKINS.
4. Jesse Hughs, 1838; October 1st, 1839; married MARY PERKINS.

Source: History of Greene County, Ohio : embracing the organization of the county, its division into townships, sketches of local interest gleaned from the pioneers from 1803 to 1840, together with a roster of the Revolution and the War of 1812; By: Robinson, George F., 1838-1901


ISAAC PERKINS, was born on June 30th, 1762, and married PHENA LEONARD, who was born on March 14th, 1763. In November 1802, he started from North Carolina to Ohio with his family and arrived at Waynesville on January 8th, 1803, settling in Clinton County on March 4th, 1804.

*Page 307: Hezekiah Hiatt was born on March 23rd, 1786, in Guilford Co., N.C. He came to Union township, Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1808 and was married to ANN PERKINS, the daughter of Isaac Perkins, in July 1810.

Source: History of Clinton County, Ohio : its people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families. By: Albert J. Brown.
 


LEWIS E. PERKINS, a dependable merchant and public spirited citizen of Freeport, is a man who has won his present high standing through his own honorable methods. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 8th, 1860, a son of Stephen and Mary E. (Denny) Perkins, and grandson of Jacob and Sarah (Taylor) Perkins, the last two being natives of Belmont County, where Jacob Perkins was born in 1804. He was a farmer of Flushing Township, that county, but about 1876 moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he died in 1884. His wife passed away in 1872, before he left Belmont County. They had the following children: Nancy Perkins, David Perkins, Stephen Perkins, Lydia Perkins, Mary Perkins, Elizabeth Perkins, Jacob Perkins Jr., Eli Perkins, Hannah Perkins, Eliza Perkins and Lewis Perkins. All were members of the Society of Friends and very fine people, noted for their integrity and uprightness of life. STEPHEN PERKINS was also born in Belmont County Ohio, February 23rd, 1839, and his wife was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, January 11th, 1834. They were married August 24th, 1854. She was a daughter of John N. and Rosanna (Tillman) Denny. For many years Stephen Perkins was a farmer of Flushing township, Belmont County, Ohio, where he died November 14th, 1898, his wife surviving him until January 12th, 1910, when she too, passed away. The children born to them were as follows: John N. Perkins, Francis T. Perkins, Lewis E. Perkins, Rosanna Perkins (deceased), George E. Perkins, Mary E. Perkins and Armintha E. Perkins. Like the majority of the farmer's sons of his day and neighborhood, Lewis E. Perkins alternated attending the district schools with agricultural labor and learned to be a practical farmer, but did not take to his calling and when a young man became a clerk in a store in Belmont County owned by Isaac Holloway. In 1892 Mr. Perkins moved to Harrison County, OH and for ten years was a clerk for Goodman, Hibbs & Company at Piedmont, but left that firm, bought a store at Freeport, where he has remained in business, and his eldest son, Lawrence E. Perkins is now associated with him. This store is first class in every respect and a nice busines is carried on with the people of Freeport and the surrounding country. On November 6th, 1884, Mr. Perkins was married to Miss ALICE B. MURPHY, a daughter of James A. and Lucretia G. (Tracy) Murphy. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins became the parents of the following children: Lawrence E. Perkins, who was born October 5th, 1885, married Blanche Pugh, and they live in Freeport, where he is in business with his father. Forrest L. Perkins who was born August 28th, 1888, married Minnie Rowland, and their first child, Roland L. Perkins is deceased, but they have two others, Rodney L. Perkins who was born December 21st, 1917, and Dorothy I. Perkins, who was born September 1st, 1919. The family live at Wheeling, Ohio, where he has a civil service position. Fred J. Perkins who was born January 21st, 1897, is a graduate of the Freeport High School. He taught school for two years and then took the classical course at the University of Ohio from which he was graduated in 1919 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and is now a student at the Western Reserve University of Law at Cleveland, Ohio, and belongs to the law firm of Pfieffer & Fults of Cleveland. During the great war Mr. Perkins entered the service but was discharged soon thereafter on account of heart disability.

Source: History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio. H. J. Eckley; William T. Perry.


THOMAS PERKINS was born in Prince George County, Maryland, in 1742. He married CASANDER CASTELL, of the same county, and reared his family of four children - Francis Perkins, John Perkins, Samuel Perkins (See sketch below) and Rebecca Perkins. In 1805, Mr. Perkins with his wife and two of his children, Samuel and Rebecca, came to Belmont County, Ohio and entered one quarter of section seventeen, in Kirkwood township. They lived in a little shanty a few weeks until a log cabin could be erected, in which they lived a number of years, then build a hewed log house, in which Mr. and Mrs. Perkins passed the remainder of their days. Our subject died in 1837, at the age of ninety-five years, his wife in 1820. In 1809, John Perkins, second son of the above, came to Belmont county, Ohio, and located in Kirkwood township.

SAMUEL PERKINS, third son of Thomas & *Casander (Castell) Perkins, was born in Prince George County, Maryland, in 1788, and came with his parents to Belmont county in 1805. He was reared a farmer, which occupation he followed throughout his life. He served eight months in the war of 1812. In 1810, he married ELIZABETH HART and settled on his father's farm, where he resided until his death. There were nine children born to them - Rebecca Perkins, Delila Perkins, Maria Perkins, Casander Perkins, Nelson Perkins, Jonathan Perkins
-(See sketch below), William Perkins, Lethe Perkins and Moses Perkins-(See sketch below), four of whom are still living -- Rebecca, Jonathan, William and Moses. The other five died during the winter of 1842-43, of scarlet fever. Mr. Perkins and his wife were consistent members of the M.E. Church, and esteemed by all who knew them, Mr. Perkins died April 27th, 1861, and his wife, April 13th, 1875.

JONATHAN PERKINS,  a son of Samuel & *Elizabeth (Hart) Perkins, deceased, was born in Kirkwood township, Belmont County, Ohio, June 15th, 1820. His education was acquired by what could be obtained in the cabin school houses of his minority days and close application to his books at home. He married REBECCA MAJOR, February 8th, 1846. They settled on a farm owned by his father, remained six years, and in 1852 purchased and moved on the farm, where they are now living. They reared a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Perkins connected himself with the M.E. Church in 1843; was ordained deacon; a local preacher in 1864, and since then has been engaged in the ministry a part of his time. He served as justice of the peace from 1859 to 1871.

Source: History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio : and incidentally historical collections pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley. By: Charles M. Walker (Charles Manning). p.366

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MOSES PERKINS, a prominent farmer, stock raiser and dealer, residing in section 11, Kirkwood township, Belmont County, was born on the farm now owned by his nephew, Samuel W. Perkins, December 6th, 1829. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hart) Perkins. His parents were both natives of Maryland. His father, Samuel Perkins, came to Kirkwood township as early as 1802, when the forest had scarcely been touched by the hand of man. He built a shed in which to live until the completion of his house, and the 160 acres which comprised his home farm have since been in possession of the Perkins family. He held no offices and was a good farmer, giving that work his entire attention. He served as a private during the War of 1812, and made an honorable record as a soldier. He died at the age of 73 years, and was survived six years by his wife, who died at the age of 80 years. He and his wife were both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To their union were born the following children: Nelson Perkins, who farmed in this county until his death at the age of 60 years; Rebecca Perkins, the wife of Reuben Mitcalf, died at the age of 75 years; Maria Perkins, who died at the age of 20 years; Cassander Perkins, who died at the age of 25 years; Jonathan Perkins, a record of whose life appears in the biography of Samuel W. Perkins; William Perkins, a farmer of this county, who died at the age of 60 years; Delilah Perkins, who died at the age of 27 years, was the wife of Fielder Perkins; Letha Perkins, who died at the age of 16 years; and Moses Perkins, the only surviving member of the family. Four of the girls died of scarlet fever within four months. Moses Perkins was educated in the common schools of his community, and as a boy assisted in the work upon the farm. He has disposed of 60 acres of the original tract held by him, but retains some 100 acres, which are planted to wheat and corn for the most part. The land is well improved and is underlaid with coal which has never been leased or sold. He is one of the reliable citizens of his township, and wherever known is held in the highest esteem. Mr. Perkins was joined in marriage November 11, 1853, with REBECCA J. MURPHY, a native of this county and a daughter of L. D. and Elizabeth Murphy, the father a native of Ohio and the mother, of Maryland. She is one of nine children, the others being: Delilah Murphy, who resides in Wisconsin, is widow of George Weeden, who was killed as a soldier in the Union Army; Brice M. Murphy, a farmer, living in Wisconsin; Sarah J. Murphy, wife of David Majors, of Kirkwood township; A.C., deceased; Asbury Murphy, a farmer of Kirkwood township; Hamilton, a farmer of Kirkwood township, James A. Murphy, deceased, and L.D. Murphy, deceased, who was a farmer in Belmont County and later in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have three children; Elizabeth Perkins, wife of Wilson McWilliams, a farmer of this county, has four children living, ---Weldie McWilliams, Campsie McWilliams, Frederick McWilliams, and Eva B. McWilliams. Mary F. Perkins, wife of O.B. Groves, a contract plasterer of Barnesville, has six children, -- Forest Groves and Belle Groves, deceased, Gertrude Groves, Everett Groves, Moses Groves and Willard Groves; and Rosa I. Perkins, who married Colbert Sheppard, and both are deceased, leaving one child, Mary Ethel Sheppard, who married Oliver M. Smith, September 6th, 1902. Mrs. Perkins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio and representative citizens. 1908 By: McKelvey, A. T., b. 1844

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SAMUEL W. PERKINS, a farmer and stock raiser residing in section 17, Kirkwood township, Belmont Co., Ohio, was born in this township July 14th, 1849. He is a son of Rev. Jonathan and Rebecca (Majors) Perkins (See sketch above), and a grandson of Samuel  & *Elizabeth (Hart) Perkins-(See sketch above), after whom he was named. The last named was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his widow received a pension for nearly 15 years. Rev. Jonathan Perkins was born June 15th, 1820, where the house of our subject now stands, and was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. He traveled the Moorefield circuit. He later had a local charge and was a man of great popularity, enjoying the distinction of having united in marriage and buried more people than any other minister in the county. He served as justice of the peace some 12 or 15 years, and his efforts were successful in amicably settling the differences of his neighbors without the intervention of the courts. During the Civil War he was captain of a military company which he took out to oppose the Morgan raid. He was a strong abolitionist and believed in a vigorous prosecution of the war. At one time he owned nearly a section of land and was a very successful farmer. In 1872 he had a large quantity of wool destroyed in the great Boston fire, but his loss was comparatively slight, owing to the property being insured. His death, which occurred August 28th, 1887, was widely deplored, as he had lived a very useful life and came from one of the early families of the county. He joined the church at the age of 17 years and ever after was a consistent Christian. He served as a class leader in the church at Salem, and during a period of 15 years never missed a class meeting. He was united in marriage February 8th, 1846, to REBECCA MAJORS, who was born in section 18, Kirkwood township, September 9th, 1825, and died August 25th, 1902. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years was quite active in church work. She was a great home woman until the death of her husband, when home lost its charms, and she thereafter spent her declining years at the homes of her children, whose chief joy was ministering to her wants. Eight children blessed the union of Rev. and Mrs. Perkins, five of whom survive namely: Sarah E. Perkins, wife of George E. Smith; Samuel W. Perkins; Margaret R. Perkins, wife of J.W. Anderson, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wichita, Kansas; Josephine O. Perkins, wife of Albert S. Reynolds, a justice of the peace of Kirkwood township, and N.S.G. Perkins, who resides where his father lived. Samuel W. Perkins was educated in the common schools and later at Hopedale, after which he took agricultural pursuits. He has 210 acres of well improved land, and all is under laid with coal. He raises some stock that he sells, and winters about 35 head. He is one of the substantial men of his township, of which he is now serving his second term as trustee. March 29th, 1876, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with NANNIE A. ANDERSON, a native of this county, and a daughter of D. P. and Margaret Anderson, the former of whom died in 1890, and the latter April 18th, 1902, at the age of 86 years. Mr. Anderson and wife had the following children: Rev. J.W. Anderson; Mary Anderson, wife of Rev. W.G. Cash, superintendent of schools at Morristown for a time; Nannie A. Anderson, and Ella M. Anderson, wife of G.W. Warrick, who resides on the old Anderson homestead in this county. Our subject and his wife have four children as follows: Emsley O. Perkins, a member of the class of 1904 at Athens College; Isa Edith Perkins, who married F.J. Hamilton, a manufacturer of cigars at Hendrysburg, Ohio, and has a daughter, Carrie L. Hamilton. Jonathan F. Perkins, who lives at home on the farm, and Margaret R. Perkins, who is attending school. Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been trustee and steward. He has frequently served as superintendent of Sunday-Schools and has been a leader for about 10 years. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican.

Source: Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio and representative citizens. 1908 By: McKelvey, A. T., b. 1844


REUBEN PERKINS, one of the pioneers of Captina, Ohio, migrated to Belmont County in the spring of 1798, and settled near the creek. He was born on the Susquehanna river in the year 1767 and was of English extraction. In 1785, he was united in marriage to ELIZABETH HUP. This union resulted in seven children -- Everhart Perkins, Reuben Perkins Jr., Lewis Perkins, Elias Perkins-(See sketch below), Elijah Perkins, Elizabeth Perkins and Rachel Perkins. At the time he located in the county he had a family of six children, the oldest only being eleven years of age. He first settled on what was known afterward as the Brown farm, situated below where Pott's Mill now stands. The farm is owned at present by Michael Dorsey. There were only three families living in that neighborhood at that time, viz: Daniel Dean, who used to roam the forests clothed after the Indian fashion, his brother, --- Bean, and Robert Latty. It is said he was quite skillful and could turn his hand to almost anything. He manufactured powder, dressed his own buckskins, made plows and followed weaving. He killed many panthers, bears, wolves, deer, wild cats and other ferocious and dangerous animals. The stories he related about these were thrilling and interesting. The same fall he came to his new home in the wilderness a great calamity befell him -- a loss he felt keenly -- it was the death of his wife. After a few years he was married again to a Virginia lady, by whom he had five children. In 1805, he entered the quarter section of 28, in now Washington township, and which is now owned by some of his grandsons. On the 8th of April, 1816, whilst engaged in work he suddenly fell to the ground and expired of heart disease. His death was greatly felt by his children and friends.

Source: History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio : and incidentally historical collections pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley. By: Charles Walker (Charles Manning).

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ELIAS PERKINS - This venerable old pioneer, who died on the 10th of August, 1860, was born on Ten-mile Creek, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, April 27th, 1791. Came with his parents to the Northwestern Territory when but seven years of age. He took up the cooper trade, working at it during bad weather. He made cedar buckets and carried them to St. Clairsville, where he disposed of them for half a crown a piece. He was a natural mathematician and did his calculating mentally most of the time. How he acquired such information without books was a great wonder to those of his acquaintance. Like the pioneers generally, he was a fine marksman. In the fall of the year 1828, a neighbor of his, Isaiah Shepard, wanted a "mess" of squirrel, which were very plenty and doing great damage to the corn. Our subject told him to follow him and he would soon get all he wished for. They went to a cornfield and Perkins shot forty-five squirrels without moving from the spot. He was a hard worker and a successful farmer. He lived in what is now Washington township, from 1805 to his death. On the 5th of October 1815, he married ELIZABETH WILSON, who was a native of Maryland, born January 17th, 1792. Her father settled in the southern part of Belmont county in 1806, and died in 1833. Soon after our subject's marriage he entered forty acres of land at Marietta, Ohio, walking through the woods and along the river, a distance of eighty miles, all in one day. The cabin in which he first went to housekeeping is still standing. In 1831, he united with the Christian church and kept the faith until his death. His widowed wife is still living in his old mansion, aged 87 years.

Source: History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio : and incidentally historical collections pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley. By: Charles Walker (Charles Manning).


**This is just a small portion of the biography of Harvey Danford** in the above book.

"In 1850 Mr. Harvey Danford married ELIZA JANE PERKINS, a daughter of ELIJAH PERKINS, who was brought from near Waynesburg, Virginia, to Belmont Co., OH in infancy and after a long life here died in 1895, when more then 100 years of age. Mrs. Danford was born in 1829 and her four brothers are:

1.Elihu Perkins
2.Jonas Perkins
3.Reuben Perkins
4.William Perkins

The two named last residing at Bethesda."

Source: Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio and representative citizens. By: McKelvey, A. T., b. 1844
 


PERKINS BROTHERS, proprietors of the Perkins Hardware & Roofing Co., one of the leading business firms at Youngstown, in the general hardware and roofing line and located at No. 2250 West Federal Street, was established May 15th, 1899, by George R. Perkins, Joseph R. Perkins and John R. Perkins. The business includes general hardware, slate and tin roofing and furnaces. George R. Perkins, the oldest member of the firm, was born at Youngstown and is a son of Richard Perkins, who was engaged here in a coal business for years. George R. Perkins was reared and educated in this city and began business in the tobacco line, but later became connected with the iron interests of this section and for 20 years has been identified with the Youngstown Steel Company, for the past 10 years having been superintendent of furnaces. He is one of Youngstown's most reliable citizens. Joseph R. Perkins, the second member of the firm, was formerly shipping clerk and paymaster of the Port Royal Coal and Coke Company. He now takes care of the tin roofing business for the firm, all over the state. John R. Perkins, the youngest member of the firm, was born at Wethersfield, Trumbull County, Ohio, and was about 10 years old when he came to Youngstown. He was connected with the Stambaugh -Thompson Hardware Company before entering his present business. All three brothers are practical, experienced men and they control a large concern. In 1901, JOHN R. PERKINS was married to RACHEL WOOLEY, and they have one son, Jeremiah Richard Perkins, named for his paternal grandfather. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins belong to the First Presbyterian Church. The directors and officers of The Perkins Hardware and Roofing Company are as follows; President, John R. Perkins; vice-president, George R. Perkins; secretary and treasurer, Joseph R. Perkins. Directors: James Perkins, George Perkins, Joe Perkins, John R. Perkins and J.R. Wooley.


Source: 20th century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio and representative citizens. By: Sanderson, Thomas W. 1907.


JESSE PERKINS, of New London, the son of Hoel Perkins, an early settler, has been long and favorably known as a resident of the village where he now lives. His father (born December 17th, 1794), and his mother, Mary Perkins, (born May 7th, 1795), came to Ohio from Greene county, New York, in 1835, and first located in the township of Fitchville, Ohio. Two years later they went to New London, Ohio, where they lived until after the mother's death, June 29th, 1839, when Joel (Hoel) Perkins removed to Michigan. From that State he went to Iowa, where he died, May 1st, 1875. They had ten children: Laura Perkins, Sally Perkins, Jesse Perkins, Lucy Perkins, Harriet Perkins, Harman Perkins, Russell Perkins, Amos Perkins, Harlow Perkins and Ward Perkins. The subject of this brief biography was born April 16th, 1822, in Greene county, New York, and was, consequently, thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to Ohio. He grew up under the usual circumstances of a framer's boy, and possessing fairly good advantages. Making the most of his opportunities, he has met with the reward that naturally follows, and has been successful in nearly all of the affairs of life. The house, of which a view is given upon another page, was built by him, upon his far, in 1874. Besides his application to his own business affairs, Mr. Perkins has given considerable attention to one or two public enterprises, and has taken a part in, and been occupied to a certain extent, with politics, although he is by no means a professional politician or seeker of place. He has held office several times in the township and corporation lists of New London, Ohio, and since its establishment in 1878 has had the management of the grounds of the New London fair association, which he was instrumental in bringing into existence. Mr. Perkins married, in 1857, JEANNETTE THOM, a daughter of Alexander and Isabel Thom, natives of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, with then, and sine 1837, residents of New London, Ohio. The father, who was born February 13th, 1799; is still living in Ruggles township, Ashland county, Ohio, and the mother, born March 26th, 1798, died April 23rd, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have been the parents of five children: Darwin Perkins, now in Kansas, Albert Perkins, Lena Perkins, Leona Perkins and Freddie Perkins. Lena Perkins died July 7th, 1863.

Source: History of the Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with ... By William W. Williams


WILLIAM WESLEY PERKINS, was born in Bracken Co., KY, May 7th, 1813, and was the son of William Perkins, who served in the war of 1812, in the 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment of Kentucky militia, from the 26th of August, 1812, to the 13th day of March, 1813. His grandfather on his mother's side, Philip R. Rice, was born Oct. 10th, 1757, in the county of King William, Va, and served in the Revolutionary war, and was at Yorktown at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis with his army to Gen. Washington. The father and mother of the subject of this sketch both died in the year 1815, leaving him and his only brother, Levi M. Perkins, both reared by their grandfather, Philip R. Rice. He served his time with J. E. McCormick, in Augusta, KY, at the tailoring business, and came to Felicity, OH, in this county, Aug. 9th, 1837, and there opened his trade, which he carried on successfully for many years, during which time he added much to the improvement of that town by the erection of many substantial buildings. He was married, Oct. 27th, 1837, to Miss FRANCES MONEYHON, of Augusta, KY. He received the symbolical degrees of Masonry in Felicity Lodge, No. 107, F and A. M., in 1842, of which he was subsequently Worshipful Master. He took the capitular degrees in Arion Chapter, No. 49, of Felicity, and in Connell Council, No. 19, of same town, was made a Royal and Select Master. He removed to Batavia, OH in October, 1853, and acted for one year as deputy sheriff under Sheriff G. W. Richards. In 1854-55 he kept for a year and noted "Clermont Hotel". In 1855 he was elected sheriff of Clermont County, and was re-elected in 1857, being the only Republican who that year carried the county. His four years administration as sheriff was never surpassed before or since by any incumbent in that office in the efficiency, promptness, and fidelity with which its duties were discharged. During his two terms as sheriff, he purchased the elegant farm he now owns, and which he has greatly improved and beautified in its pleasant surroundings. To W. W. Perkins and Frances (Moneyhon) Perkins have been born three children: Edwin Perkins, William Perkins and Philip Rice Perkins. The first two served in the Union army in the Rebellion, from Sept. 1st, 1861, to Nov. 1st, 1864, in Company F, commanded by Capt. Thomas M. Lewis, of the 59th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Edwin Perkins was promoted to be first lieutenant, and served as quartermaster of his regiment from March 17th, 1863, to Nov. 1st, 1864, at which time he and his brother William Perkins were both discharged by reason of the expiration of their term of service. Philip Rice Perkins, his youngest son, enlisted Feb. 4th, 1865, in the 5th Ohio Cavalry, and was discharged at Charlotte, N. C., Oct. 13th, 1865. So it appears as an honorable record that his three sons and only children served their country in the great Rebellion of 1861-1865, his father fought in the war of 1812, and his grandfather participated in the seven long years of the Revolutionary struggle, and witnessed the final surrender of the British forces. His sons, Edwin Perkins and William Perkins were both in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, April 5-6th, 1862; Stone River, Dec. 30th, 1862; and Jan. 1st, 1863; Chickamauga; Lookout Mountain; Mission Ridge; at the capture of Atlanta; and other minor fights and skirmishes innumerable. Mr. Perkins served for four years as assistant assessor of the 6th Ohio district of the United States Internal Revenue Department, under Daniel H. Murphy and Col. Carr B. White, and the government never had a more prompt, honest, efficient, and popular officer than he. In 1880 he was elected one of the three directors of the Batavia township cemetery, established near Batavia. The Masonic order in Clermont county has no member better known than ex-Sheriff Perkins, his thirty-eight years connection with this ancient fraternity, during nearly all of which time he has acted in important positions in the order, having brought him into contact with almost every one of his craft in the county. He is the present High Priest of Batavia Chapter, No. 112, of Royal Arch Masons. W. W. Perkins, from a poor boy with no advantages, has by his good character, determined will, and industry made an honorable name, accumulated a fair portion of this world's goods, been by the government and his fellow-citizens honored with important positions of rank and profit, and secured for himself a reputation for honest, public spirit, and charity unsurpassed by any citizen of the county

Source: 1795 History of Clermont County Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers - Louis H. Everts - Philadelphia - 1880


FRANCIS T. PERKINS, a representative farmer of Wayne township, Muskingum Co., Ohio, living near Duncan Falls, belongs to one of the old families of Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Anthony Perkins, came to this state with his brother Asa Perkins in 1780 and settled in Washington county, entering land near where Bondtown stands at present. The grandfather was a hunter of pioneer times and was among those who aided in opening up the state to civilization. His son, John Perkins, father of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1800 and in his youth attended the subscription schools. He was largely self-educated, however, and made the most of his opportunities as the years passed by. He became a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and in an early day did much to promote the moral development of his community. He was united in marriage to Miss MARION FOWLER, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1804, and a daughter of John Fowler, who came to Ohio during the girlhood days of Mrs. Perkins. In order to provide for his family, Mr. Perkins followed teaming from Marietta and was also a successful farmer, having a good tract of land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. His political support was given to the democracy and he was interested in all public measures that tended to benefit the county. He died when his son Francis Perkins was only fourteen years of age, but left behind him a creditable record as a pioneer citizen and worthy farmer. Francis T. Perkins was a student in the public schools at Marietta, Ohio, and thus acquired a fair education. He worked upon the home farm through the days of his boyhood and youth, early becoming a familiar with the varied duties which to fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was thus engaged until the fall of 1859, when he started out upon an independent business career. On the 12th of September, 1860, he wedded Miss SARAH J. DILLEY, being at that time nineteen years of age, while his bride was a young lady of eighteen years. She was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1841, and was a daughter of Abraham Dilley, also a native of Guernsey county. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins removed to Blue Rock in 1865, but in 1867 returned to Washington county and in 1874 sold their property there to his brother, after which Mr. Perkins carried on general agricultural pursuits in Noble county, Ohio, until 1885. The succeeding eight years were passed in Washington county, Ohio and in 1893 he came to Muskingum county, purchasing his present farm in Wayne township, near Duncan Falls, Ohio. The place comprises two hundred and forty acres of very rich and valuable land devoted to general agricultural pursuits and it is supplied with all modern equipment, indicating the careful supervision and progressive spirit of the owner. Mr. Perkins also has another tract of thirty acres in this township and he makes a specialty of raising short-horn cattle. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have been born seven children: John D. Perkins, Charles A. Perkins, Francis T. Perkins Jr., Abraham C. Perkins, Ida W. Perkins, Earle H. Perkins and Nellie B. Perkins. All are yet living with the exception of Earle Perkins and the parents have a reason to be proud of their interesting family. Mr. Perkins is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grange and he also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Three of his sons, John D. Perkins, Charles A. Perkins and Abraham C. Perkins are members of the same Masonic lodge as their father. He is now serving his sixth year as justice of the peace. He represents a family that has long been actively and honorably connected with the substantial improvement of Ohio and he is a typical son of the state, interested in its welfare and active in support of all measures for the general good. In his business life he is enterprising and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion.

Source: Past and Present of the City of Zanesville and Muskingum County, Ohio ...  By J Hope Sutor


W. B. PERKINS & CO., books, stationery and wall paper, No. 4 Opera Building, Canton, Ohio. The above is the leading house, in their line, in Canton, Ohio. The business was established in 1869, under the firm name of Perkins & Weston, which association continued until 1871, when Mr. Weston retired and C. F. Perkins, became a member of the firm. Their stock is very complete and extensive, embracing a large line of wall paper, frames, moldings, etc., and all of the current literature of the day with the leading periodicals and newspapers. The gentlemen comprising the firm are courteous and agreeable, and are extending their trade and sales each years. W. B. PERKINS, senior partner, is a native of New Bedford, Mass, and prior to coming to Ohio, was engaged in the hardware trade in Boston, Mass. In 1867 he removed to the West, locating in Mansfield, Ohio, and engaged in the hardware trade there remaining two years. In 1869 he came to Canton, Ohio, since which time he has been one of the lading business men there. He was married in 1870, to Miss MARY A. LOUDEN, of Zanesville, Ohio. They have two children, Edward L. Perkins and Helen Perkins. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and the K. of H.. C. F. PERKINS is also a native of Mass., and was educated for the law. He is a graduate of the Law Department of Harvard College, and was admitted for practice in Massachusetts. In 1871, he came to Canton, Ohio and joined the bar there, continuing in practice until he entered mercantile life with his brother.

Source: History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881)


LEICESTER PERKINS, was born in the State of Massachusetts. He came to Ohio with his parents in 1806, and they were forty days on the road. They came by the way of Pittsburgh, and were on the Alleghany mountains on the day of the great eclipse in that year. The old gentlemen, Perkins, and family, put up with Judge Atwater (where Mantua station is now located), on the night of the thirty-ninth day of their journey, and next day arrived at Aurora, Portage Co., OH the place of their destination, and settled some two miles northeast of the center. Leicester Perkins worked for his father and helped to clear up his farm, and at the age of eighteen years his father gave him his time, and he commenced chopping and clearing land by the job, and at the end of five years he had earned and laid by the sum of one thousand dollars. At the age of twenty-three he married NANCY BLISH, she being the twelfth child in her father's family. They have four children: Matilda Perkins, Harriet Perkins, Lorette Perkins and Paulina Perkins, all of whom are now living. Mr. Perkins came from Aurora, Portage Co., OH to Auburn, Geauga Co., OH in 1830, and settled on the east and west center road, west of Auburn corners, farmed it for three years, then sold out to James Dutton, and in 1832 he built what is know as the "Red store" at the corners, moved his family into the west part of the building, and rented the east part to Charles Woods, for a store, which he occupied for one year. Mr. Perkins then went into the mercantile business himself, sold goods there ten years, then sold out and purchased the farm joining the one he first owned, on the west, and now resides at that place. Mr. Perkins, by his industry and economy, has gained quite a fortune, and he and his wife are enjoying the full benefits of it in their old age. It will be seen by the above that Mr. Perkins was great on the chipping and clearing, and he offers to lay a wager of fifty dollars that he himself, individually, has chopped and cleared more land that any man in Geauga county. Some years since Mr. Perkins served one term as county commissioner.

Source: 1798 Pioneer and General History of Geauga County with sketches of some pioneers and prominent men. - 1880


JAMES H. PERKINS, Lawyer, Editor, Clergyman and Poet, the youngest child of Samuel G. and Barbara Higginson Perkins, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, July 31st, 1810. His youth was spent in mercantile pursuits and in acquiring a fair education; but stocks and trade were not congenial to his tastes, and as soon as he was at liberty to do so he abandoned them. He was wanting the love of money-making, the prerequisite of worldly success, and when he became acquainted with the true character of competitive trade, he was filled with dismay and disgust. The pride of the opulent and the cringing concessions of the needy, with the fawning flattery that vitiates the courtesies of fashionable life, awakened in his heart a feeling of sad contempt, and he grew plain and blunt in his speech, careless in dress, reserved and solitary. In February, 1832, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. There he became interested in the study of the law, and entered the law office of Timothy Walker as a student. In the genial, social atmosphere of the West he recovered his buoyancy and began a new life. In 1834 he was admitted to the bar. His commencement in the practice of law revealed a high order of talent, and argued brilliant personal success. But he became dissatisfied with the sedentary life and, as he thought, the low moral standard of the legal profession, and soon abandoned it in utter disgust. He then applied himself with great energy in the uncertain field of literature. He contributed largely to several periodicals; wrote poems, tales and essays for the Western Monthly Magazine, and was in the early part of the year, 1834, editor of the Saturday Evening Chronicle, which he purchased in the winter of 1835 and united with the Cincinnati Mirror. He was for awhile one of the editors of the Mirror. In the summer of 1835 he engaged with others in a manufacturing enterprise at Pomeroy, Ohio. This was not remunerative, and in 1837 he returned to Cincinnati and took up his pen. In the following year he projected several books, but only finished a series of critical and historical articles, for the New York Quarterly and North American Review. In 1839 his work entitled "The Annals of the West" was written; a work of great research, completeness and persp___ of style. During the next few years appeared his papers on "Early French Travelers in the West"; "English Discoveries in the Ohio Valley;" "Fifty Years of Ohio"; "The Pioneers of Kentucky," "The Northwestern Territory," and "The literature of the West". In 1839 he became minister-at-large to the poor of Cincinnati, OH; to this office with great earnestness he gave his best powers of mind and body, and to him the poor and unfortunate of that city to-day own many of the institutions from which they derive protection and consultation. In 1841 he accepted a call as pastor of the Unitarian Church of Cincinnati. His eloquence, his Christian feeling and work among the poor, led to this selection of him by that society. His literary pursuits he still kept up, and his interest in education and public benefactions never flagged; but with his pastoral relations he never was satisfied, and accordingly offered his resignation in 1847, notwithstanding his friends assured him of his remarkable gifts as a preacher, while the house was crowed when he preached, and there were not wanting many other evidences of his fitness. The church refused to accept his resignation, and he was finally induced to withdraw it, and remained in charge of the pastorate of the Unitarian Society until his death, which occurred suddenly, and in a way much to be regretted, on the 14th of December, 1849. In 1844 he was chosen President of the Cincinnati Historical Society, and in 1849, at the time of his death, he was Vice-President and Recording Secretary of the united Ohio and Cincinnati Historical Societies. He was by no means faultless, and was not free from the evils of temperament, training, caprice, indulgence, habit; but he was progressive, aspiring, humble, honest, unselfish- a Christian. He was a ready and finished writer; an orator of exceptional powers, and a poet from whom verses had poured forth with unconscious ease from boyhood upward. He left a family of several children. One of his sons is a young lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Source: The biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. 1876


LEWIS T. PERKINS, who is giving a vigorous and effective administration of the office of Sheriff of Williams County, Ohio, is a man of the viral, well-poised type that is potent in causing malefactors to "sit up and notice" when they attempt to execute their nefarious work within his bailiwick, and he is making an admirable record since he became sheriff of the county, in 1919.

Mr. Perkins was born in Gratiot Co., Michigan, June 29th, 1880, and is a son of Frank and Effie (Brady) Perkins, both of whom likewise were born in that county, where their parents were early settlers. In his native county, Frank Perkins continued operations on the old home farm of his parents until 1888, when he came with his family to Ohio and established his home at Pettisville, Fulton Co., Ohio. There he remained about six years, during which he conducted a meat market and also bought and shipped live stock. He finally returned to his native county in Michigan, but he is now retired and he and his wife maintain their home in the City of Saginaw, Michigan. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, as were also his father and his paternal grandfather, and the sheriff of Williams County, Ohio, perpetuates the ancestral fraternal loyalty by his active and appreciative affiliation with this time-honored organization, he being a member of the blue lodge, chapter and council at Montpelier, and both he and his wife being actively identified with the adjunct organization, the Order of the Eastern Star. In this connection it is interesting to record that the subject of this review has in his possession the Masonic apron that was owned and worn by his paternal uncle, Hiram Perkins, who was a pioneer settler in Michigan and who was killed as a soldier in the War of 1812. Sheriff Perkins has one brother, Hiram Perkins, a resident of Saginaw, Michigan, and one sister, Doris Perkins, who is married to A. T. Dixon and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Lewis T. Perkins was eight years old at the time of the family removal to Fulton County, Ohio, and his early education was received principally in the schools of Pettisville, that county. He has been virtually dependent upon his own resources since he was a lad of twelve years, and thus has gained the self-reliance, courage and invincible purpose which made him specially equipped for the office of which he is now the incumbent. He finally entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, of which he continued an efficient representative at Montpelier, Williams Co., Ohio, until his election to the office of county Sheriff, his entire service with the Standard Oil Company having covered a period of sixteen years. He is a loyal advocated and supporter of the cause of the republican party and has been active in its councils and campaign work in Williams Co. In addition to his Masonic affiliations at Montpelier he is identified also with the organizations of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose in that city.

When he was twenty-five years of age, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss PEARL GUILFORD, of Fulton Co., Ohio, and they have two children; Edna Perkins and Earl Perkins, both of whom are students in the public schools of Bryan, Ohio.

Source: A standard history of Williams County, Ohio; an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development; (1920)


 






 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

                              


  

                                                                                             

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