AUSTIN W. PERKINS is a veteran of the Civl war and a retired farmer of Middlefield township, Buchanan Co., IA. He has almost reached the eightieth milestone of life's journey and certainly deserves the rest which has come to him after a life of activity and usefulness crowned with substantial success and the high respect of his fellowmen. He was born in Woodstock, Maine, August 8th, 1835, his parents being Luther and Sallie (Dural) Perkins. The father was a native of England, but was only six months old when brought to the United States, the family home being established in Maine. He attended one of the old-time backwoods schools of Maine and when a young man began preaching for the Baptist church, devoting his life to that calling, but death claimed him when he was still in early manhood. The mother of our subject was probably born in Maine and was of French extraction. Austin W. Perkins started out in life on his own account after his father's death when he was a young man of twenty years. Previous to this time, however, he had worked as a farm hand for Stillman Berry, who afterward became his father-in-law. He was employed for a time in a sawmill at Bangor, Maine, and later worked in a store with his brother at Chelsea, Massachusetts. In 1856 he came to Buchanan Co., Iowa, and located upon a tract of land which he and his wife had inherited from her father. This place has since been his home and year after year he tilled the soil and cultivated his fields, but in 1898 retired from farming and has since left the operation of his land to others.

Mr. Perkins also took a most helpful interest in public work. He aided in organizing schools and churches and in furthering many projects intended for the benefit and upbuilding of the community. He is today the only survivor among the voters at the first township election of Middlefield township, this being in the fall of 1857. The spirit of patriotism has ever been strong within him and following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in 1862, becoming a member of Company H, Twenty-seventy Iowa Infantry, with which he served for three years, participating in the eleven important engagements under Colonel J. S. Gilbert and Captain J. Miller. The regiment was attached to the second Brigade, Third Division of the Sixteenth Corps of the Army of the Tennessee. He took part in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville, Fort Blakely and others. He was never wounded but his health became impaired. He rendered valuable and valiant service to his country and returned home with a most creditable military record. On January 27th, 1857, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss OLIVE BERRY, who was born in Paris, Maine, March 23rd, 1838, a daughter of Stillman and Persis (Cushman) Berry and a representative of one of the prominent early families of the Pine Tree state. Her father farmed in Maine for a number of yearns and then made the journey across the country to Quasqueton, which was then the only town in that vicinity, arriving in 1855, when all of the conditions of pioneer life were here to be met. He worked to some extent at the carpenter's trade in the early days and erected some of the first buildings of the township. He was a true pioneer, active, helpful, energetic and willing at all times to assist a neighbor or friend or to promote public progress. He held membership in the Baptist church, guided his life by its teachings and served as one of its deacons. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins became the parents of five children, all born here. The eldest, Julia A. Perkins, is the wife of A. S. Leach, a former Protestant Methodist preacher, who is now engaged in business at Coggon, Iowa. They have four children. Luther Stillman Perkins, the second member of the family, was born May 5th, 1859, and now occupies the old home farm in Middlefield township, IA, which he is carefully and systematically conducting. He married Miss Cora A. King, a daughter of Ezra B. King, one of the active and prominent pioneer settlers of Byron township, IA. Mr. and Mrs. Luther S. Perkins had two children, Addie O. Perkins and Bertha E. Perkins. The former is the wife of Marshall Ball, who is engaged in the automobile business in Jesup, Iowa, and they have one child, Harold Ball. The younger daughter, Bertha E. Perkins, became the wife of Albert P. De Greif, a prominent farmer of Middlefield township, IA, but she died September 19th, 1910, leaving two children, Cora May De Greif and Arthur L. De Greif. (Third Child) Cynthia A. Perkins is now the widow of Charles M. Hunt, who was a prominent citizen and political leader in Pocahontas, Iowa, and they had four children, Gilbert Hunt, Melville, Hunt, Hazel Hunt and Wilbur Hunt. Gilbert A. Perkins, the fourth member of the family, is with the Warfield-Pratt-Howell Grocery Company of Cedar Rapids, IA. He is married and has a daughter, Evangel Perkins, aged eighteen years. Addie O. Perkins, the youngest member of the family, died in 1879. Mr. Perkins how has fourteen grandchildren and one deceased and also fourteen great-grandchildren and one deceased. His wife died on the 9th of March, 1898, mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Perkins was one of the organizers of the Baptist church at Winthrop, IA, served as a deacon in the same during its existence and was superintendent of the Sunday school for seven years. He has always been a progressive citizen, helpful in his attitude toward public affairs, and filled the office of the constable of his township for one years and as school director for one term. He is a very prominent and influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic and for six years has been chaplain of the post at Winthrop, IA. He has attended both the state and national encampments for seventeen consecutive years. His life has been exemplary in many respects and he has never taken a drink of liquor or used tobacco in any form. He has traveled to considerable extent, making four trips to the Pacific coast, a like number to the Atlantic coast and has also visited Canada and Mexico. His son, L.S. Perkins, with whom he now resides, has likewise been prominent in Middlefield township, IA. He, too, was a deacon in the Baptist church and now attends the Methodist Episcopal church of Winthrop, IA. His life is an exemplification of Christian teaching and his religious faith finds manifestation in his honorable business dealing and in his straightforward conduct in every relation of life.

Source: History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people (1914)

Source: Past And Present Of Hardin County, Iowa - By : HON. WILLIAM J. MOIR - (1911)- B.F. Bowen & CO. - Indianapolis, IN

Also...See: Edwin Perkins - IL
Also...See: John Perkins - IL
 

JOHN PERKINS is an Englishman by birth, being born in Ripley, Derbyshire, October 21, 1827. His parents being John and Sarah (Platts) Perkins. At the age of fifteen years he commenced work at the shoemakers trade, at which he was to serve as an apprentice until he reached his majority; but, after serving three years, his employer died, and Mr. Perkins therefore commenced to do for himself. In 1849, the family came to the United States, and soon located in Stephenson county, Ill. Here Mr. Perkins continued his trade until 1855, he then emigrated to Iowa, and lived a short time in Blackhawk county, but in the same year he came to Hardin county, and settled at Eldora, where he pursued his trade until 1862. He then settled on his present farm, and has since been a tiller of the soil. Mr. Perkins has been quite successful in life. He now owns over 530 acres of land, and his improvements are among the best. He is honest and industrious, and highly respected as a citizen. He took out his naturalization papers soon after coming to the United States, and cast his first ballot in 1856. His politics are Republican, and his religious connections are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Perkins as been twice married. In 1847 to Miss HARRIET PARKINS She died in 1854, leaving two children: Sarah E. Perkins, now Mrs. Joseph Ansel, and Ferdinand Perkins. In 1856, June 14th, he married Mrs. SARAH PLATTS nee Parks, and by this union have had eight children, seven of whom are now living: Minnie Perkins, John W. Perkins, Addie E. Perkins, now Mrs. A. Hayden, Edwin Perkins, Oscar E. Perkins, Granville Perkins and Eleanora Perkins, and by her former marriage she has two children: James T. Platts and Henry A. Platts.

Source: History of Hardin County, Iowa - Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Company, 1883.

See: Edwin Perkins - IL & Edwin Perkins - IA
See: Elias Perkins - IL

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Andrew J. Hayden received a good common school education and he lived at home until he was twenty-three years of age, when he located in section 26, Jackson township, and he has spent his life in his home community. On May 23, 1880, he married Addie J. Perkins, who was born in Eldora, Iowa, where the Winchester hotel now stands. She was born June 1, 1865; and is the daughter of John and Sarah (*PARKS) (Platt) Perkins, both being natives of Ripley, Derbyshire, England. He came to America when twenty-one years old and located at Freeport, Illinois. His wife was the widow of Henry Platt, of England. He died in Wisconsin. Her maiden name was Sarah Parks, and she was the daugher of William and Sarah (Redfern) Parks, of England. They came to America in 1850 and located near Janesville, Wisconsin, where he farmed, then came to Eldora, Iowa, in 1856, where they spent the rest of their lives. John Perkins married first, in England, Harriet Platts, whose death occurred in Freeport, Illinois, of Cholera, during the epidemic in 1850. Three children were born to this union, one of whom is now living, Sarah Ellen Perkins. His second wife had two sons by her first marriage, Henry A. Platt and James Thomas Platt. Eight children were born to John Perkins and his second wife, namely: Herminia M. Perkins married A. L. Perkins, of Eldora, Iowa; John W. Perkins is farming in Jackson township; Addie J. Perkins, wife of the subject; Fred E. Perkins, deceased; Oscar E. Perkins is farming in Independence, Iowa; Granville Perkins is a carpenter at Eldora, Iowa; Elenora Perkins married Robert Alberry Perkins, of Eldora, Iowa; Susan Perkins died in early life.

JOHN PERKINS came to Eldora, Iowa, in 1856, where he worked at his trade of shoemaking for several years, having settled a mile and half north of that place. The last three years of his life he lived with the subject and wife, his death occurring on January 29, 1910, his wife having passed to her rest on January 10, 1897. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a Democrat. After their marriage Andrew J. Hayden and wife bought their present place in section 27, Jackson township, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres; they also own eighty acres in section 26. This land has been well improved and well kept. They built their present commodious and attractive home in 1905, the substantial barn having been built in 1898. My Hayden also owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Lamb county, Texas. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, namely: Odessa married, in 1905, George Latch, of Ackley, Iowa, and they are the parents of one child, Harold V.; Inez M. married Lewis Latch, of Jackson township, and they have two children, Bennie M. and Harry; Clara A. married Ernest Frisbie, of Eldora township, this county, and they have one child, Kenneth M.; Lee Grant is living at home; Clifford F. and Lester M. are also at home. Mr. Hayden is a breeder of thoroughbred horses, Hamiltonian stock, and he is well known as a horseman, being the owner of a number of fine specimens, including "Kereri," 32109, bay stallion, foaled in 1899, record of 2:15, trotting on a half mile track; "Van Dresser," 49676, dark bay stallion, of Lexington, Kentucky, foaled 1907. "Lou Warren," sorrel mare; "Lady Kreso," bay mare; "Beaver Valley Girl," brown mare; "St. Athens," by mare; "Countess Lovelace," bay mare; "Fluta R.," chestnut mare. He has in all, at this writing, forty head of fine horses, and he has been a breeder of fine horses for the past twenty years. He also keeps from thirty to thirty-five head of Durham cattle, and many Jersey Red hogs. Politically, Mr. Hayden is a Republican, and he has been school director and treasurer of his district for many years. He is a member of the Methodist church at Berlin and a liberal supporter of the same. He has long been influential in his community and he has the good will and respect of all who know him, owing to his honest dealings in all the relations of life and his genial personality.

Source: Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa - by William J. Moir. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen, 1911

FERDINAND PERKINS, oldest son of John and Harriet (Parkins) Perkins, was born in Freeport, Ill., May 6, 1850. He came with his parents to Iowa in 1855, and in 1856 to Eldora. Here he was educated, and helped till the soil until he reached his majority. His father then gave him a farm of 80 acres in section 36, Jackson township, and this he cultivated. On December 25, 1879, he married Miss C. J. KENNEDY, born in Ellis township, May 31, 1857. He then followed farming one year in Ellis township, after which, in march, 1881, he moved on his farm, where he now resides and owns 160 acres of land. They are the parents of two children -- Sarah E. Perkins and John Rezin Perkins.

Source: History of Hardin County, Iowa - Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Company, 1883.

CHARLES PERKINS, Rev. b. Feb. 22nd, 1815, father of Charles G. Perkins, was a resident of Pocahontas county, IA most of the time from 1870 to 1887, and lived in Fonda, IA from 1874-1876. He received his early education in the public schools of Maine and at the age of nineteen became a member of the Calvinistic Baptist church. About the year 1852 at Androscoggin, he was ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination and served pastorates at North Paris, Bridgeton and Hartford in Maine, and Randolph in New Hampshire. In 1865 he was appointed a missionary by the Cedar Valley Baptist Association of Iowa and was located at Winthrop, IA four years. In 1869 he relinquished his commission and located on a farm in that vicinity. The next year he came with his son, Charles G. Perkins, to Pocahontas county, IA and preached as he had opportunity. He delivered the first sermon in Butler township, Calhoun Co., IA, in a temporary schoolhouse on section 3, in 1872, and held the first public services in English in Colfax township that same year, in the Stewart-Brownell schoolhouse on section 34. His wife, AMAZINA CUSHMAN b.1817, was of Puritan descent, came to this county in March, 1872, and died in December following. Two years later he married Mrs. ELIZABETH BICKNELL, of Pomeroy. About the year 1887 he returned to Paris, Maine, and died there July 6th, 1892.

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Rev. CHARLES PERKINS, a Baptist minister, in 1870 came to the home of his son, Charles G. Perkins, soon after his settlement on section 32, Colfax, IA, then a part of Cedar township, and that fall in a temporary schoolhouse on section 3, held the first public services in Butler township, IA. His first wife, AMAZINA CUSHMAN, a lady of Puritan descent, died Dec. 22nd, 1872, and was buried at Pomeroy, IA. Two years later he married Mrs. ELIZABETH BICKWELL and they lived in Fonda, IA, 1874 to 1876. During all these years he endeavored to maintain appointments in the schoolhouses in the vicinity of Fonda, IA, and during the summer of 1878, while living again at the home of his son, held services on alternate Sabbath afternoons in the Fonda, IA Schoolhouse. The next year he returned to Paris, Maine, where he died July 6th, 1892, in his 78th year.

Source: The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time (1904)

CHARLES GUSTAVUS PERKINS, b. March 17th, 1841, one of the early pioneers of Colfax township, IA, is a native of Woodstock, Oxford Co., Maine, the son of Rev. Charles and Amazina (Cushman) Perkins. On Aug. 28th, 1861 at the beginning of the Civil war, he enlisted and on Sept. 2nd following he was mustered in at Canton as a member of Co. F. 9th Main infantry. On Dec. 31st, 1863, in South Carolina, he re-enlisted as a corporal in the same company and regiment for three years. He was honorably discharged at Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 3rd, 1865, after nearly four years of faithful service in the army of his country. His regiment formed a part of the tenth army corps and served in the department of the Gulf under General Sherman, on the James River under General Butler and in the Army of the Potomac under General Grant. It traversed every state along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Texas and participated in a larger number of engagements than any other. He participated in those at Moore's Island, Siege of Ft. Wagner, Port Wallhall, Arrowfield Church, Drewry's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Ware Bottom Church, Cold Harbor, Chapin's Farm, Darby House Road and Wilmington. In June, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Va, he was wounded and taken to the hospital at Alexandria, thence to Germantown and later to Camp Keys at Augusta, Maine, where he remained until Aug. 22, 1864, when he returned to his regiment. In 1865, at the close of the war, he came with his parents to Winthrop, Buchanan Co., Iowa, where on March 28th, 1870, he married SARAH J. PIERCE. Two months later they came to Pocahontas County, Iowa and located on a homestead of 80 acres on the S 1/2 SE 1/4, Section 32, Colfax township, IA, which they still own and occupy. The farm has been increased to 260 acres and all the improvements upon it are in excellent condition. His buildings being in the course of the terrible tornado of 1893, were completely destroyed, and only the twisted trunks or broken stumps remain of the many rows of beautiful shade trees planted around them. He has become widely and favorably known by reason of his intelligence, uprightness of character and long residence in the same place. He has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the Fonda, IA G.A.R. Post and served as its commander three successive years, 1898-1900. In the history of Colfax township, he has left more footprints than any other. He was secretary of the school board in 1872-1873, and president of it in 1875. He was assessor in 1875-1876, and a justice thirteen years, 1874-1886. He was a trustee in 1873 and 94-97, and has been clerk since 1900. He was a member of the board of county supervisors in 1884. His family consists of one daughter, Grace A. Perkins, and she is still at home.

Source: The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time (1904)

Hon. ELI C. PERKINS, of Delhi, has served acceptably for two terms in the lower house of the state assembly and since 1912 has been state senator. His knowledge of the basis of law and government has enabled him to determine which measures are best adapted to the permanent well being of the people as a whole, and he has been instrumental in securing the passage of such bills and the defeat of unwise measures. He also practices law and has been connected with much important litigation. Mr. Perkins was born at Bethel, Maine, August 30, 1850, a son of Rev. Charles and Amazing (Cushman) Perkins, both of English extraction. They came west and located at Buchanan, Iowa, but later removed to Pomeroy, Calhoun county, where both passed away. They were the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy, those who grew to maturity being: Charles G. Perkins, who died in 1914; A. Gustava Perkins, the deceased wife of Alpheus Fuller; Eli C. Perkins, of this review; and Luther Perkins, a resident of Bethel, Maine. Eli C. Perkins received a common-school education in the public schools of Maine and Iowa and subsequently attended Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1875. He then attended the State University of Iowa, taking a law course, and receiving his degree from that institution in 1879. In the same year he came to Delhi and began the practice of his profession. He was well fitted for his work and industrious in the preparation of his cases, and his clientage grew steadily as his ability became more widely known. His incisive mind enables him to go immediately to the heart of the matter without wasting time on nonessentials, and he displays sound judgment in determining upon the facts and arguments most pertinent to the case in hand. He is skillful in cross examination and effective in his presentation of his case before the court, and as the result of his able work his percentage of cases won is unusually high. From 1887 until 1893 he was county attorney, and in 1908 he was elected state representative, his record in the house winning him reelection in 1910. In 1912 he was elected senator and his work in the senate has been distinguished by the same ability and conscientiousness that marked his record in the house of representatives. On the 13th of September, 1882, Mr. Perkins was married to Miss KATE M. GALPIN, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (White) Galpin, natives of Weymouth, England. To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins two daughters have been born; Gwendolyn L. Perkins, who was a teacher in the high school at Spencer, Iowa, married Arthur Bentz and became the mother of one daughter, Ethel Bentz. Hazel E. Perkins is a teacher in the high school at Onawa. Mrs. Perkins and the daughters are members of the Methodist church and are interested in all phases of its work. Mr. Perkins is a republican in his politics and is one of the leaders of the party in this part in this part of Iowa. He has won prominence in his profession and has taken an active part in the public affairs of county and state, and in all that he has done he has placed the public welfare and the principles of justice and right above personal gain. All who knew him respect and honor him for his sterling manhood and this esteem of his fellowmen he values even more than the material success that has come to him.

Source: History of Delaware County, Iowa and its People, Illustrated, Volume II. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1914, Chicago.

MARTIN PERKINS, farmer, Section 4, P.O. Rickardsville, IA, born Oct. 7th, 1836, in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1869, he removed to Dubuque Co., IA; he owns 130 acres of land, he enlisted in 1864, in Co. D, 24th Ohio V.I.; served to the close of the war. Married Miss HARRIET BURGE in 1856, she was born Jefferson Co., Ohio; her father, James Burge, is a native of Bristol, England, he was born March 26th, 1806; when a boy he came with his parents to Philadelphia, and was apprenticed to the cabinet trade, in 1831 he came to Jefferson Co., Ohio, he followed his trade till 1852, when he removed to Union Co., Ohio, in 1867 he came to Dubuque Co., IA; he owns forty acres of land. He married Miss Rachel House in 1831; she was born in Berks Co., Pennsylvania, March 8th, 1813; they have ten children - five sons and five daughters.

Source: The history of Dubuque County, Iowa, containing ... .(1880)

Mrs. WINNIE ANN PERKINS, farmer, Sec. 23, P.O. Green Island; born in Kentucky in 1817, came to Jackson Co., IA in 1851; her husband was among the earliest settlers of the county; he was a native of North Carolina, born in 1809, after coming to Iowa, he lived for a time in Dubuque Co., also in Galena, IL and in an early day was a miner there; he was in the Black Hawk war, and took part in some of the battles that occurred during that fierce and bloody struggle; he lived for the most of the time after settling in Jackson Co., upon his farm in Washington Township, Jackson Co., IA; he and Mrs. Perkins were married in Lincoln Co., MO, in 1834; had nine children, six of whom are living, named as follows: Jesse Perkins, Franklin Perkins, James W. Perkins, George W. Perkins, Mary R. Perkins, Virginia A. Perkins and Sarah Helen Perkins; of the three that are dead, one was an infant and died in Missouri; one a child of 3 years named William Francis Perkins, died also in Missouri, at St. Louis, and the other was a son who was a soldier in the late war of the rebellion; his name was Henry E. Perkins, a member of the 5th, I.V.C.; enlisted in July, 1863, and was killed in a skirmish engagement at Wartrace, Tenn, in the fall of 1863; they own seventy-eight acres, about sixty which is under cultivation.

Source: The history of Jackson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion ... history of the Northwest, history of Iowa .miscellaneous matters, & c .. (1879)

Also see....

Benjamin Franklin Osburn, The Osburn family has borne no unimportant part in the development of Jackson County, numerous representatives of them having come to this section during its pioneer days, at a time when such men as they were most needed. The subject of this notice owns and operates a farm of 115 acres on section 10 of Van Buren Township. Upon this he was born Oct. 27, 1851, and grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district school, and becoming familiar with the various departments of agriculture. Our subject is the son of Samuel and Betsey (Barker) Osburn, who were natives of New York. The father is deceased, but the mother resides with her son B.F. Their family consisted of nine children, and Franklin, our subject, was the only one born in this State. He spent his early years after the manner of the most farmers' sons, and when twenty-six years of age was married, March 28, 1877, to Miss Ellen (Sarah Helen?) Perkins. This lady was born in Jackson County, Iowa, April 9, 1856, and is the daughter of Charles A. and Winnie Ann (Stallard) Perkins, who were among the pioneer settlers of that county, and are now residents of Washington Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Osburn began their wedded life together in Van Buren Township, and are the parents of one child only, a son, Orson Osburn, who was born March 21, 1881. Mr. Osburn gives his support to the Republican party. Other members of the Osburn family are fairly represented elsewhere in this volume, and it will be noted that they have made their mark in both its social and business circles. They have mostly followed agriculture, and are without exception well-to-do and reputable citizens.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois

E. N. PERKINS has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Adair county for the past third of a century and is the owner of a well improved farm embracing two hundred and forty acres of land on section 21, Richland township. His birth occurred in Washington county, Iowa, on the 6th of January, 1856, his parents being Joseph and Mary E. (Griffith) Perkins, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in Iowa, Mary E. Griffith having come to this state in 1840 and Joseph Perkins a little later. The latter passed away here, but his six children all survive. E. N. Perkins enjoyed the advantages of a high-school education in his youth and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then followed farming on his own account for two years and on the expiration of that period made his way to Kansas, where he spent three years. At the end of that time he came to Adair county, Iowa, and bought an eighty acre tract of raw prairie land in Richland township, which he improved and to which he added by later purchase until his farm now embraces two hundred and forty acres on section 21. He has won a gratifying measure of success in its operation and makes a specialty of stock-raising, that branch of his business proving very profitable. In 1889 Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss ALICE O. EPPERSON, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Henry and Carrie (Carnes) Epperson, who were also born in that state. The father is deceased but the mother is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have become the parents of five children, as follows: Fairy Perkins, who is the wife of Albert Rectenbaugh; Dora Perkins, who gave her hand in marriage to Walter Herrick; Maud Perkins, the wife of Carl Dory; and Carl Perkins and Cressie Perkins, both at home. Mr. Perkins gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as trustee for four years, making a most creditable record in that connection. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He has ever shown great interest in all that pertains to the general welfare, and has been known as a public-spirited man who has always found time to cooperate in movements for the public good. In all the relations of life he has been honorable and straightforward, and his example is well worthy of emulation.

Source: History of Adair County Iowa and its People, Volume II. Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company. 1915

THOMAS M. PERKINS, for over thirty years Thomas M. Perkins has been influentially connected with business interests of Seymour, IA and is now the proprietor of a profitable feed store. He has shown himself upright and reliable in all of his business dealings and in consequence has achieved a degree of success which places him among the representative men of his community. He was born in Newark, Ohio, Aug. 8th, 1836, and is a son of William and Hannah (Mitchell) Perkins, natives of Kentucky, and on the maternal side, Mr. Perkins grandparents were William and Elizabeth Mitchell, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ireland. The father of our subject moved from Kentucky to Ohio at an early date and in the latter state his death occurred. His wife also died in Ohio. Thomas M. Perkins acquired a common school education and remained in his native state until 1855. In that year he came to Iowa, locating in Promise City, Wayne Co., IA where he engaged in farming until 1870, when he opened a grocery store and since that time has given his attention entirely to business lines. He conducted his first enterprise in Promise City, IA until 1882 and then came to Seymour, IA where he opened a similar establishment, managing it successfully for a number of years. In 1909 he disposed of his grocery business and opened the feed store which he still owns. He is an able, resourceful and progressive business man and consequently his patronage has increased rapidly and has reached gratifying proportions at the present time. In 1857, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss ALICE ACKLEY, of Ohio, a daughter of George and Sarah Ackley, who came to Iowa in 1856. Her father was a farmer and was successful in this line of occupation both in Ohio and in Iowa. By this marriage Mr. Perkins had three children; Frank A. Perkins, born Aug. 7th, 1858, was engaged in the grocery business and died in 1881, leaving one child, Willa Doris Perkins. Rose A. Perkins, the second of the family, is now the wife of Walter Knowlton, a resident of Hot Springs, South Dakota, and they have one child, Myra Knowlton. William B. Perkins, born Sept. 25th, 1869, is engaged in the grocery business in Seymour, IA. After the death of his first wife Mr. Perkins married Miss MARTHA KINNEY, of Seymour, IA, who has also passed away. In 1909 he was again married, his third union being with Mrs. ELLA RONINGER, of Appanoose Co., IA. Mr. Perkins gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge and chapter. He has faithfully attended the Methodist church for over fifty years and his entire life has been characterized by devotion to manly and honorable principles. In all of his business dealings he is straightforward and reliable and enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence and good-will of all who know him.

Source: Past and Present of Lucas and Wayne Counties, Iowa, 1913

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THOMAS M. PERKINS, senior member of the firm of Perkins & Son, has been engaged in his present grocery business since March, 1877. He was born in Licking Co., Ohio in 1836, a son of William and Henrietta Perkins. He is numbered among the pioneers of Wayne Co., IA, having come here in 1855 when but nineteen years of age. He made his home with John Dowel till his marriage, both having come to this county together. Mr. Dowel settling in South Fork Township, Wayne Co., IA. Mr. Perkins was married in the fall of 1857 to Miss ALICE A. ACKLEY. They have two children living; Rose Perkins and William B. Perkins. Their eldest son, Frank Perkins, died March 7th, 1882, at the age of twenty-three years. He was a promising young man, and his death was a deep affliction to his parents. After coming to Wayne Co., IA, Mr. Perkins followed farming in South Fork Township, IA, in 1877, his mother having previously died in Ohio. There were five children in the family of William Perkins, of whom our subject is the only one living in Iowa.

Source: Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa containing; a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties; Published 1886

RUBEN PERKINS, one of the well-to-do farmers of Fairfield Township, IA, living on section 14, has been a resident of the county since 1851, covering a period of forty years. As he was then but seven years of age he has practically spent his entire life in this community. However Iowa is the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Jackson Co., IA, Sept. 28th, 1840. His father, Calvin Perkins, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, where he remained until he had attained his majority, when he emigrated westward to Illinois going thence to Jackson Co., IA where he entered land near Maquoketa. A short time afterwards he went to Missouri, spending seven years in Monroe Co., and in June, 1851, became a resident of this county. He entered most of the land comprising section 14, Fairfield Township, and afterwards increased his possessions until he was owner of eleven hundred acres. Each year he saw more of this tract under cultivation for Mr. Perkins was an industrious and energetic man and by his own efforts and the assistance of his sons much of the wild prairie was transformed into fertile fields. The little log cabin which he built is still standing, one of the few landmarks that remain to show the progress which has been made in the past forty years. He died May 28th, 1884, and in his death the county lost one of its best citizens, a man noted for his progressive and enterprising spirit and the commendable interest which he took in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. He was married in Jackson Co., IA, to EDITH SCOTT, a native of Indiana, whose parents were early settlers of Jackson Co., IA. She died Feb., 8th, 1883, one year before the death of Mr. Perkins. Their eldest child, a boy, died in youth; Thankful Perkins, the second, is the wife of Killen Voshell, a resident farmer of Fairfield, Township, IA; Ruben Perkins is the next younger; John Perkins is a farmer of Washington, IA; Sarah Perkins is deceased; Noah Perkins lives in this county; Warren Perkins lives in Washington, IA; Phrania Perkins is the wife of N. Barnes of Brush Creek, IA; Jane Perkins is a resident of West Union, IA; Philip Perkins is located in Washington, IA and Leander Perkins is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fairfield Township, IA. We now take up the personal history of our subject who in his youth received but limited school privileges yet he has made himself a well informed man by reading and study in the leisure hours. He was reared to farm life and also learned surveying. At the age of twenty-two he began working for himself and in July, 1869, was joined in wedlock with SARAH HENSELEY, a representative of one of the oldest families in the county. Her brother Dan Henseley was the first white child born in Fayette Co., IA, and a sketch of the family is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Perkins was born in Fayette Co., IA, and died on the 5th of Sept., 1884, leaving eight children; Caroline Perkins, born July 20th, 1866, is the wife of Mr. Waltenbaugh living near Wadena, IA; Emma Perkins, born May 21st, 1868, is now deceased; Andrew Perkins, born Jan. 23rd, 1870; Warren Perkins, Jan. 9th, 1872; Clinton Perkins, July 1st, 1874; Elizabeth Perkins, Nov. 9th, 1876; Minnie Perkins, July 16th, 1878; and Cordelia Perkins. When Mr. Perkins began farming for himself he operated forty acres of land which his father had deeded him when he was nine years of age. His farm now comprises three hundred and sixty acres and his residence is a fine brick dwelling conveniently arranged and tastefully furnished. In connection with the growing of those products which are adapted to our soil and climate, he raises Poland China Hogs and Durham cattle, and in this branch of business has been quite successful, so much so that he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of the community. He proudly cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and was a Republican until the rise of the Greenback party. Later he voted with the Democracy, but is now convinced that the Republican party is based upon true principles of government and gives it his hearty endorsement and support on election days. The hardships and privations of pioneer life were not unknown to Mr. Perkins; he overcame as far as possible all disadvantages of his youth and earlier years, and steadily worked his way upward, gaining the commendation of friends and acquaintances.

Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Fayette Co. Iowa - 1891

See: Lee Perkins - IA

LEE (LEANDER) PERKINS, has been numbered among the vigorous and representative business men of the village of Volga, IA, since the autumn of 1915, and has here developed a prosperous enterprise in the conducting of a blacksmith and general repair shop in the handling of a full line of the standard grades of farm implements. He gives special attention to the repairing of automobiles and is known and valued as one of the energetic and progressive members of the local business community. Mr. Perkins was born in Fayette Co., IA, this state, on the 3rd of June, 1859, and is a son of Calvin and Adelia (Scott) Perkins, the former of whom was born in Ohio and latter in Indiana, in which latter state their marriage was solemnized. In 1846, within a few years after their marriage, Calvin Perkins and his wife came to Iowa and courageously took upon themselves the responsibilities of pioneers. The father obtained a tract of government land in Fayette Co., IA, erected thereon a log cabin of the true pioneer type, and then gave his energies to the reclaiming and developing of a productive farm. He became one of the substantial exponents of agricultural industry in Fayette Co., IA and he and his devoted wife were sterling pioneer citizens of that county at the time of their death. They became the parents of fourteen children, of whom eight are now living. Reared and educated in his native county, Lee Perkins there contributed in his boyhood and youth a very effective service in connection with the work and management of the home farm, and when he was twenty years of age his father there gave him a farm and he initiated independent operations as an enterprising agriculturist and stock-raiser. He remained on his well improved farm until 1904, when he removed to the village of Arlington, Fayette Co., IA, where for the ensuing six years he owned and operated a saw mill. He then returned to his farm, to the management of which he continued to give his attention until Sept, 1915, when he established his present business enterprise at Volga, IA, through he still retains possession of his farm and gives to the same a general supervision. Mr. Perkins is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and the Homesteaders. He has had no desire for the honors or emoluments of public office, but accords a stalwart support to the cause of the Democratic party. In 1879 was recorded the marriage of Mr. Perkins to Miss IDA C. SMITH, who was born in the state of Michigan and who is a daughter of Hiram and Adelia (Reed) Smith, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have three children, of whom the eldest, Arthur E. Perkins, remains at the parental home and is associated with his father's business; **Marvin C. Perkins is now a resident of the city of Chicago, IL; and Minerva Perkins is at home.

Source: History of Clayton County, Iowa: From the Earliest Historical ..., Volume 2
 

See: Ruben Perkins - IA
**Marvin Calvin Perkins b. ca,1883 died on Sept. 8th, 1924 at Port Angeles, Clallam Co., WA - WA Death Records

Rev. GEORGE GOODWIN PERKINS, the third pastor of the church, was born in Pitsfield, New Hampshire, from which place his parents removed when he was a child, to Exeter, New Hampshire. Here for more than a half of century his parents resided. This was his home until he became of age and went into Massachusetts for study and work. He was educated in the schools and in an academy of his native state. Later he pursued literary and scientific studies in Middleboro, MA. He also studied theology in MA. His first ministerial work was of a home missionary character in the counties of Worcester and Franklin, MA. He was ordained at East Douglas, MA, March 27th, 1857, by the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. In 1860, he united with the Massachusetts Plymouth Association of Congregational Ministers. The following is the record of his time and place of ministry:

Pastor at Lakeville, MA (1861-1863): Pastor at East Tauton, MA (1863-1866): Pastor at Kiddler, MO (1866-1871): Pastor at Hamilton, MO (1871-1875): Pastor at Ames, IA (1875-1880): Pastor at Avoca, IA (1880-1883): Pastor at Spencer, IA (1883-1890): Pastor at Rock Rapids, IA (1890-1893): Pastor at Blair, NE (1893-1897): Pastor at Rodney, IA (1897-1899): Pastor at Rogers, AR (1899-1902).

At the beginning of Mr. Perkins pastorate in Spencer, IA the parsonage was enlarged to about double its original size. The house of worship was too small, especially for Sunday school. At this time the planning, toiling and sacrificing for the new building began. No definite action was taken except to secure lots upon which the church now stands. Before the close of Mr. Perkins work the debt upon the parsonage was removed, and improvements were made of the parsonage property. During the latter part of his ministry Mr. Perkins preached occasionally at the Harmony schoolhouse. Since leaving Rogers, Arkansas, his last charge, Mr. Perkins has lived at Moline, Illinois, having completed nearly half a century in active work of the ministry. Such as he can look back upon an active, useful life, spent in faithful, loving service. In March, 1856, Mr. Perkins married EMILY A. CLEVELAND at Princeton, MA. There have been eight children, six of whom are living: Mrs. William Kimball, Lincoln, NE; Mrs. W. H. Kennedy, Chicago, IL; Mrs. C.H. Ainsworth, Moline, IL; Mr. S. A. Perkins, Tacoma, Washington; Emily M. Perkins, Moline, IL; Mrs. C.C. St. Clair, Marshalltown, IA.

Source: History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 (1909)

EDWARD PERKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-four, post office, Lucas, Lucas Co., IA. Born April 20th, 1841, in Litchfield Co., Connecticut. When nine years of age was thrown upon his own resources, grew up on a farm and educated himself. At sixteen years of age went to Illinois, where he enlisted, Sept., 1861, in Company B, 37th Illinois volunteers. Was in the battles of Pea Ridge, siege of Vicksburg, Red River, and many skirmishes. Was slightly wounded at Pea Ridge. Was afterward transferred to 2nd Illinois battery, where there remained until discharged, in 1864. Came to Iowa in 1865, locating at his present place of residence. Married, in 1866, to Miss MALINDA MARKER, a native of Ohio. Have had four children; two of whom are living: William Perkins and Catherine Perkins. Married a second time to Mrs. NANCY THOMAS, who was born in Knox Co., Ill., and had formerly been married to William R. Thomas, by whom she had two children, John H. Thomas and Addie Jane Thomas. Mr. Perkins has frequently served as a town official. He began life in poverty, but by his indomitable energy, has acquired a handsome estate. He owns 290 acres of good land, well improved, with excellent fences, buildings, orchards, etc. His farm is admirably adapted to stock-raising, to which it is largely devoted.

Source: History of Lucas County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc...1881

BENJAMIN F. PERKINS, farmer, Section 23; Post Office Cedar Bluff; born in Ohio in August, 1827; came to this county in October, 1854; owns 100 acres of land in this county and over 300 acres of improved land in Benton County; has held the office of School Director. He married Miss MARTHA W. BALDWIN in 1856; she was born in Indiana in 1824, and came with her parents to this county in 1837; has two children- EMILY E. Perkins and CYNTHIA C. Perkins.

Source: History of Cedar County, Iowa, 1878
 

WILLIAM R. PERKINS was born in Bureau Co., Illinois, on the 29th of Jan., 1850, being the son of Elijah and Rachel *(Wherry) Perkins. He was married in Illinois in Aug., 1869, to Miss *MARGARET* "MAGGIE" THOMPSON, a native of that state. In the fall of their marriage, William Perkins moved to Wright Co., Minnesota, in company with his parents. Both families rented farms and lived there about two years, when they came to Cass Co., IA, and purchased one hundred acres of land on section 12. William Perkins occupies this farm, and is now one of the prosperous and successful farmers of the township. He is raising a fine stock of cattle, and is known as a fine stock breeder. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have five children living: Mary Perkins, Alice Perkins, John Perkins, Ellis Perkins and Minnie Perkins. William Perkins' father (Elijah Perkins) now resides in the township, on two hundred acres of cultivated land on section 12. There were five children in that family named: *Margaret* "Maggie" Perkins wife of H.O. Samson, of this township; David Perkins *(See Below) a resident of Lewis, IA; Emma Perkins wife of Albert Allen; and Frank Perkins. *William R. Perkins of this sketch.

Source: History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history (1884)

LEONARD W. PERKINS, who carries on general farming on section 11, Gay township, Taylor Co., IA, is one of Iowa's native sons and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state. He was born in Wayne Co., IA, Oct. 23rd, 1859, his parents being Alexander and Martha Sarah (Moore) Perkins. The father was a native of Indiana, where he was reared, but in early manhood came to Iowa, casting in his lot among the early settlers of Wayne Co., IA who were engaged in reclaiming the wild region for the purposes of civilization. Much of the prairie was still in possession of the government and Mr. Perkins entered a claim and opened up a farm which is still in his possession. His wife was also a native of Indiana and spent her girlhood days in that state. They are now both well advanced in years, Mr. Perkins being about seventy-four years of age, while his wife is but a little younger. At the time of the Civil War, Mr. Perkins put aside all business and personal considerations that he might aid the Union in the struggle to maintain the supremacy of the civil government. He joined Company D, of the Twenty-Third Iowa volunteer Infantry and, continuing at the front until the close of the hostilities, was then honorably discharged, having made a creditable military record through the loyal aid which he rendered. The public school system of Wayne Co., IA afforded Leonard W. Perkins the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his boyhood and youth. Through the periods of summer vacations he worked in the fields, assisting his father in carrying on the task of cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Practical experience, therefore, well qualified him to take charge of a home of his own when, in 1881, he came to Taylor Co., IA and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land. With characteristic energy he began breaking the sod and after he had made a start toward developing his farm he returned to Wayne Co., IA and completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage there on the 17th of Sept. , 1881, to Miss NANCY SHEETS. She was born in Wayne Co., IA and spent her girlhood days within its borders. Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life on the farm which is now their home. Mr. Perkins building there a small dwelling to which he has since added. He also built a barn and carried on the work of improving his farm along various lines. A fine grove on the place was set out by him, together with the orchard, and is now yielding good fruit in season. That the soil is rich and productive is seen in the crops which he annually harvests as the result of the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. Stock raising, too, is a profitable source of his income, and he makes a specialty of raising and fattening hogs, shipping quite a large number to the market each fall. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have become the parents of two sons and four daughters; Samuel Perkins, who is married and flows farming in Gay township, Taylor Co., IA; Harry Perkins, at home; Ellen Perkins, the wife of J.N. Phillips, a farmer of Gay township, Taylor Co., IA; Mary Perkins, Lenore Perkins and Edna Perkins, all still under the parental roof. The family is widely known in Gay township and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. Fraternally Mr. Perkins is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge at Maloy, IA , having jointed the order there. He is also a member of the Modern Woodman Camp at Clearfield, IA. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party where state and national issues are involved, but otherwise casts an independent ballot. Political office has never had any attraction for him, yet he has served as road supervisor and as a member of the school board for two years. He does not neglect his duties of citizenship but prefers that his public service shall not call him to office. He desires, however, that the best interests of the community shall at all times be furthered, and to this end he lends his aid and cooperation to every movement for the general good. His life has been quietly passed, and yet there are in his record elements that are well worthy of emulation, for he has sought his success along the legitimate lines of labor, and his efforts have all the times conformed to a high standard of business ethics.

Source: History of Taylor County, Iowa : from the earliest - Crosson, Frank E.

A. B. PERKINS, of section 12, Keg Creek Township, came to this county in the spring of 1872, where he has since resided. He was born in Warren Co., IL, Feb. 6th, 1845, the son of D. R. Perkins, a native of Kentucky and the grandson of D.R. Perkins, Sr., a native of Virginia and of Welsh descent. Our subject's mother was MARIA LIENRANCE, a native of Virginia and of French ancestry. The father with his parents came to Warren Co., IL, where he was married, being one of the first pioneers of that part of Ill. They reared a family of eleven children. The mother died in the summer of 1878, and the father in March, 1888; he was a farmer all his life. In politics he was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. A.B. Perkins, the eldest child, was reared on a farm, and in 1859 his parents came to Warren Co., IA, and in 1870 removed to Kansas, where they lived until their death. He lived in Warren County until 1871, when he removed to Sarpy Co., Nebraska, and remained two years and then came to Pottawattamie Co., IA. He first bought sixty-one acres of wild land, on which he lived one year, and then purchased eighty acres where his home now is, and later forty acres north of it. He now owns 120 acres of well-improved land in a body. His residence, which was built in 1887, cost, $2,300. Park Place is a beautiful home, and Mr. Perkins and family are surrounded with may of the comforts of life. He was married in Warren Co., IA, Feb. 3rd, 1870, to MALINDA W. WHITED, who was born, reared and educated in the same county. She was a daughter of Lazarus and Maria (Surber) Whited, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Indiana. The parents were among the first settlers of Warren County, where they lived until their death. The mother died in 1870 and the father in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have eight children, viz: Mary Blair Perkins, who was a successful teacher; Beriah B. Perkins, Daniel R. Perkins, Bert Perkins, Rolla W. Perkins, Minnie L. Perkins, Nellie Perkins, Maria Perkins, Solomon Perkins and Pursey Perkins. Mr. Perkins was formerly a Democrat, but is now independent. He is a member of the Farmer's Alliance, and has served as Township Trustee and also as Assessor. The family are members of the Christian Church.

Source: Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa; containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, (Chicago, The Lewis publishing company, 1891

W. E. PERKINS (William E.). The subject of this sketch is one of the leading and representative business men of Mt. Vernon, Linn Co., IA, and belongs to one of the old and honored pioneer families of this country, being a son of William Perkins, who for almost sixty years has been prominently identified with the growth and upbuilding of this section of the state. The father was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in 1842 came to Linn Co., IA. He and Robert Stinson built the first house erected in Mt. Vernon, it being a log structure, and here he lived in true pioneer style. Wild game of all kinds was plentiful and furnished the early settlers with many a meal when otherwise they would have had little to eat. The Indians were also far more numerous than the white settlers, and Mr. Perkins was more than once annoyed by having them drive away the oxen, with which he broke his land and cultivated it. He and two companions - Mr. Holms and Dr. Ristine, built a raft, which they loaded with eight hundred bushels of corn and a lot of wheat, and floated the same down the river to St. Louis, MO, where the grain was marketed. They then walked back to Mt. Vernon, IA. This was but one of the many disadvantages which the early settlers encountered in making for themselves homes in a wild and unimproved region before the days of railroads. Mr. Perkins is still living, at the age of seventy-seven years, a hale and hearty old man, and makes his home six miles north of Mt. Vernon, IA, in Linn township. For twenty-eight years he has served as justice of the peace in a most creditable and satisfactory manner; has been highway commissioner a number of years; and school director ever since a school was established in his neighborhood. It was in this country that WILLIAM PERKINS, father of our subject, married Miss MARGARET M. BASSETT, a native of Ripley Co., IN, who died Feb. 16th, 1858, and was laid to rest in Mt. Zion Church cemetery in Linn Grove. By that union there were born twin boys, W. E. Perkins, our subject, and Eddie Perkins, who died in infancy. For his second wife the father wedded Miss MARY KEPLER, a native of Maryland and a daughter of Peter Y. and Betsy (Rice) Kepler, who were also born in that state. By his second marriage Mr. Perkins has eleven children, namely: Frank Perkins, who is married and resides in Montana; Hamilton Perkins, who married Eva McShane and is engaged in farming near Mt. Vernon, IA; Effie Perkins, wife of Peter Butler, a farmer of Viola, Linn Co., IA; Etta Perkins, wife of William Higgins, who lives near Central City, Linn Co., IA; Emery Perkins and Belle Perkins, both at home with their parents; and Flora Perkins, wife of Arthur L. Engle, of Brown township, Linn Co., IA.

W.E. Perkins, of this review, was born on the old homestead north of Mt. Vernon, IA, Jan. 30th, 1858, and was graduated from the public schools of Mt. Vernon. In 1876 he entered Cornell College, where he pursued his studies for a year and a half, and then began his business career as a clerk in the store of E. T. Golf. Later he was with the firm of Swafford Brothers, and for five years engaged in clerking in the drug store of Dr. Dorans. In 1893 he embarked in the grocery business on his own account, and conducted his store in what is known as the Bookstaler building, on the south side of Main Street, until Aug., 1900, when he sold out. Mr. Perkins has been twice married, his first wife being Miss LUCRETIA BAKER, also a native of Linn Co., IA, who died Aug. 10th, 1881, leaving two children, namely: Minnie May Perkins, born Nov. 2nd, 1878, is a graduate of the public schools of this country, and now resides with her uncle, Albert Iglehart, near Mt. Vernon; and Grace A. Perkins, born Dec. 3rd, 1880, was married Sept. 3rd, 1900 to George Johnson, who was born March 26th, 1875, and is a professor in the public schools of Mt. Vernon. On the 28th of Dec., 1887, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with Miss ANNA KAFER, who was born in Linn Co., IA, May 6th, 1868, and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Fink) Kafer, the latter a native of Maryland. Her father was born near Heidleberg, Germany, Nov. 1st, 1834, and was reared on a farm, being educated in the district schools of his native land. In the spring of 1853 he took passage at Havre, France, on the sailing vessel William Tell, and after a voyage of thirty-eight days, landed in New York. He commenced life in the new world with only a dollar and a half in his pocket, but he possessed plenty of energy and pluck, and soon found work on the railroad in Lancaster Co., PA, where he remained three months. He then walked from place to place in search of employment and finally found work in a blacksmith shop, where he remained until the 1st of May, 1854. He next worked in the pineries of northern Pennsylvania, and on leaving there in the fall of 1855, he and others started overland for California. Mr. Kafer, however, stopped at Lisbon, IA where he worked at digging potato's, quarrying stone and chopping wood for fifty cents per day, and the following spring turned his attention to the carpenter's trade. After about a year spent in this county, he erected a sawmill near Mt. Vernon, which town was then know as Pin Hook, while Lisbon was called Dutchtown. Mr. Kafer has worked at Cedar Rapids and various other places throughout the county, and, meeting with good success during his residence here, he has accumulated a handsome property, and now owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Linn township. He has served as road supervisor and school director, and is widely and favorably known throughout the county. His wife died April 17th, 1891, and was buried in Mt. Vernon cemetery. They were the parents of nine children, of whom six are still living, namely: Elizabeth Kafer, wife of Alfred Safely, who lives near Tipton, Cedar Co., IA; Philip H. Kafer, who married Ida Deck, and is engaged in farming near Springville, Brown township, Linn Co., IA; Rebecca Kafer, wife of Henry Clark, a farmer living near Mt. Vernon, in Franklin Township, Linn Co., IA; Rose Kafer, wife of Charles Letts, of Linn township, Linn Co., IA; Grant Kafer, who married Sarah Deck, a sister of his brother Philip's wife, and is engaged in farming in Linn township, Linn Co., IA; and Ann Kafer, wife of W. E. Perkins, of this sketch. Mr. Perkins has always been identified with the Democratic party.

Source: Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa ... (Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company, 1901
 

JOHN T. PERKINS, a prominent and esteemed resident of the Gate City, IA, is carrying on the business of an undertaker at No. 25 Third Street, Keokuk. Mr. Perkins is a native of Kentucky, and was born Oct. 13th, 1842, his parents being William B. and Sarah A. (McClahan) Perkins, both natives of Bracken Co., KY. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Henry V. Perkins, was a native of Connecticut, an extensive farmer, and raised large quantities of tobacco in his native State. He afterward went to Louisville, KY, where he engaged in the manufacture of medicines, and died in about 1850. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Elijah McClahan, a native of Virginia, who was also engaged in the cultivation of the tobacco plant. He and his wife became the parents of a large family, who afterward constituted some of the worthiest and most wealthy residents of the State of Kentucky. He departed from the scene of his earthly labors in 1835, and his memory was held in respectful remembrance by all with whom he had been associated. The father of our subject, William B. Perkins, was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until he attained his majority. He then went to Brookville, the county seat of Bracken County, KY, and was there engaged in the coopering business until after his marriage, when he moved to Lewis County, and in addition to his former occupation, became connected with an undertaking establishment. He is still living, but now carrying on his business alone. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and politically Mr. Perkins casts his vote with the Democratic party. Their household consists of eleven children, six of whom are deceased. The living are: John T. Perkins; Elizabeth Perkins, who married Thomas Furman, of Mason County, KY; William J. Perkins, who is with his brother, our subject, in Keokuk; Eliza Perkins, who lives in Kentucky, and Vincent H. Perkins, connected with Government store at Paris, KY. John T. Perkins was the second child of the family, and remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, attending school in the winter season and working on the farm in summer. In 1863 he set his face westward, crossed the Mississippi, and located in Keokuk, IA. He made his home with his uncle, V. T. Perkins, and engaged with him in the undertaking business, which he pursued for six years following. He then withdrew from his uncle's establishment, and associated himself in partnership with J. W. Johnson, the firm becoming J. W. Johnson & Co. They located on Third street and continued in partnership for nine years, or until 1876, when Mr. Johnson was accidentally killed. Mr. Perkins then purchased the business from the heirs and has since operated alone, and is doing the largest business of his kind in the city. John T. Perkins and Miss HENRIETTA BROWN were united in marriage June 1, 1871, at Keokuk, IA. Mrs. Perkins is a native of Louisville, KY, and the daughter of Jeremiah Brown, of Kentucky. They have become the parents of two daughters; Lillie M. Perkins and Grace L. Perkins. The family occupies a beautiful residence at No. 628 Franklin Street, which was erected in 1885. Politically Mr. Perkins affiliates with the Democratic party, and socially belongs to the A.F. & A.M. and I.O.O.F. He is a stock holder of the Keokuk City Opera House, and President of the company. In connection with his brother William J. Perkins, he became proprietor of his present business property in 1876. He is a straight forward business man and held in the highest esteem by his fellow townsmen.

Source: Portrait and biographical album of Lee County, Iowa, (Chicago, Chapman brothers, 1887)

JEREMIAH PERKINS, attorney at law, firm of Perkins & Barr; Judge Perkins was born near Goldsboro, Wayne Co., North Carolina Jan. 7th, 1816, and was raised there until 14 years of age, when he came with his mother to Wayne Co., Indiana, where he learned the carpenter and cabinet maker's trade; after remaining there for three years, he removed to Laporte Co, IN in 1833, where he worked at his trade; having a taste for study he devoted his leisure moments during the busy season, and his entire winter to mental pursuits and reading law, and was admitted to the bar in Laporte about the year 1845; he came to Iowa by wagon and arrived at Newton, Jasper Co., IA, Oct. 28th, 1854, an was admitted to the bar under the celebrated Judge McFarland; the following year he came to Dallas Co., IA and located in Adel in June, 1855, and engaged in the practice of his profession; he built the house where he now lives, with his own hands; the first term of the district court was held in July following his coming here; his honor Judge McFarland presiding; he appointed Judge Perkins prosecuting attorney; in Aug, 1856, he was elected prosecuting attorney on a republican ticket in a democratic county; in 1861 he was appointed county Judge to fill vacancy and was subsequently elected for four successive terms and filled that position for nine years; during the same period he was elected recorder of Dallas county and also held that office of county auditor for three years; few men in Dallas county have held more offices and none have discharged their duties better and to the more complete satisfaction of the people; he married Miss ELIZA KENNEDY a native of Richmond, Indiana, Feb. 4th, 1841; she died April 6th, 1876, leaving six children.

Source: The history of Dallas County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, & ......

JOSEPH F. PERKINS is one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Van Buren Co., IA, his home being in Bonaparte, IA. In presenting this sketch to the readers of the Album, we record not only the life of an honorable pioneer but also that of a self-made man whose example of industry, enterprise and zeal can hardly be excelled. He overcame the difficulties caused by limited education, surmounted the barriers of poverty and working his way upward, step by step, at length reached a position of affluence. Mr. Perkins was born in Pocahontas Co., VA, July 21st, 1816, and belonged to a family numbering four sons and four daughters, the parents being Francis and Mary Perkins, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. Elizabeth Perkins, his eldest sister died in California; Joseph Perkins, is the second in order of birth; Robert Perkins, makes his home in California; William Perkins died in Van Buren Co., IA; Dorethea Perkins became the wife of B. F. Myer, and died in Oregon; Eveline Perkins, widow of Charles Flowers, is living in California; George W. Perkins, makes his home in New Castle, Cal.; Rebecca Perkins, is the wife of George W. Cavitt who is living near Sacramento City; and Mary Frances Perkins died in Virginia in youth. In 1813 Mr. Perkins came with his family to Van Buren Co., IA, but his death occurred three years later. In politics he was a Jackson Democrat and served as Clerk of the court in his native State. During the War of 1812 he entered the service but while on his way to the front, hostilities were brought to a close. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Perkins went to California where she spent her last days. The subject of this sketch, Joseph F. Perkins, was reared, until seventeen years of age, in his native State and as his family were in limited circumstances his educational advantages were not of the best. Experience and observation, however, have been to him excellent teachers and he has stored away a fund of useful information, practical in character, which he would probably not have acquired had he been enabled to attend school more regularly. In 1832, at the time of the Black Hawk War, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, but cholera was prevalent in the city at that time and he continued on to Lima, Ind. On his twentieth birthday, the 13th of June, 1836, he arrived in Van Buren County, IA, which then formed a part of the Territory of Wisconsin. At that time the entire State was but little inhabited and its bright future could have never been dreamed of, much less realized. In fact, it was thought to be almost beyond the borders of civilization. Such men as Mr. Perkins, who were among the early comers and bore the hardships and privations of pioneer life, laid the foundation for its present prosperity and to them we owe unbounded gratitude. The land was un-surveyed and in Van Buren County, IA there were only a few houses situated along the river. Mr. Perkins made a claim in Farmington Township, near Bonaparte, and when the land came into market went to Burlington, WI in 1839 and secured the title, paying $1.25 per acre for sixty-three acres, which he made by working for William Meek at seventy-five cents per day. To this he has since added by subsequent purchase until now a highly cultivated farm of four hundred acres pays a golden tribute to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. The entire amount is under fence and there are seen all modern improvements. Mr. Perkins has been twice married. The year succeeding his arrival in this county he was joined in wedlock with Miss ELIZA MAXWELL and unto them were born two children who lived to adult age, namely; Mary F. Perkins, wife of John B. Edwards, a resident of Bonaparte, IA; and Joseph W. Perkins, who makes his home in Ketchum, Idaho. The death of the mother occurred in 1844 and for a second wife Mr. Perkins chose Miss ELIZA MYERS. Their union was blessed with seven children, four of whom are living; Sarah Perkins, who married Andrew Petrie of Van Buren Co., IA; Robert Perkins who died at the age of twenty-four years; William Perkins, of Van Buren Co., IA; James Perkins, who is engaged in farming; Jane Perkins, deceased, wife of Thomas B. Johnson; Ellen Perkins, who married Noah Moler; and Allen Perkins, who is also living in Van Buren Co., IA. Mrs. Perkins was called to her last rest in 1885 and her death was the occasion of deep regret on the part of many friends. In connection with the cultivation of his land, Mr. Perkins devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of horses. He has some very fine animals on his farm of the Norman Clyde and Morgan breeds. In political sentiment, Mr. Perkins is a Democrat, and a stanch supporter of party principles. Through seventy-five years of age he is fresh in appearance, active in movement and bright in intellect.

Source: Portrait and biographical album of Jefferson and Van Buren counties, Iowa (1890)- Lake City pub. Co., Chicago, IL

GEORGE DOUGLAS PERKINS. To the energetic natures and strong mentality of such men as Hon. George Douglas Perkins, editor of the Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA), is due the success and ever increasing prosperity of the Republican party in Iowa, and in the hands of this class of citizens there is ever assurance that the best interests and welfare of the party will be attended to, resulting in a successful culmination of the highest ambitions and expectations entertained by its adherents. Given to the prosecution of active measures in political affairs and possessing the earnest purpose of placing their party beyond the pale of possible diminution of power, the Republican leaders in Iowa are ever advancing, carrying everything before them in their irresistible onward march. Certainly one of the most potent elements in the success of the Republican movement in Iowa is George D. Perkins, who throughout his life has been a loyal citizen, imbued with patriotism and fearless in defense of his honest convictions. In the Civil war he followed the Union banners on the southern battlefields and he has since, just as fearlessly and just as loyally, advocated in the halls of congress and through the press the principles which he believes will advance the welfare of the nation. Such is the man whose life history forms the theme of this article. Mr. Perkins was born in Holley, Orleans Co., New York, February 29th, 1840, a son of John D. and Lucy (Forsyth) Perkins, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York, while both were descendants of old New England families. The father was an attorney who came to the west on account of failing health when his son George was but six years old. The family spent one year in Indiana, two years in Milwaukee, WI and then removed to Baraboo, Wisconsin, which was the family residence when the father died in 1850. Since that time George D. Perkins has been dependent upon his own exertions, and from humble financial circumstances he has risen to affluence through the opportunity which is the pride of our American life. In the meantime he had attended the public schools and had also extended his education under private instruction. When sixteen years of age he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Baraboo Republic, of Baraboo, Wisconsin. In 1860 he and his brother Henry Perkins removed to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and established a paper which they called the Gazette. Mr. Perkins continuing an active factor in its publication until August, 1863, when he enlisted as a private soldier in Company B., Thirty-first Iowa Infantry. At Helena, Arkansas, he was taken violently ill and from the hospital was transferred to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO, where on the 12th of January, 1864, he was discharged and sent home - it was thought to die. It was found that he was suffering from abscess on the liver and it was long ere he recovered. In 1866 the brothers sold the Gazette and removed to Chicago, ILL where Mr. Perkins served for three years as agent for the Northwestern Association Press. In April, 1869, he came to Sioux City, IA and purchased the Journal of Mahlon Gore, and removing to this city took possession of the office on the 1st of May of that year, and has since been editor of the paper. In 1870, being joined by his brother Henry Perkins, they established the Daily Journal, now one of the leading daily papers of the northwest. The firm of Perkins Brothers, with the exception of two years, beginning in the summer of 1876, when George D. Perkins conducted the business alone, had a continuous existence up to the time of the death of Henry Perkins, in November, 1884. At that time a stock company was formed under the name of Perkins Brothers Company, and George D. Perkins has since been president and manager. Throughout the whole of his journalistic career he has been connected with but two papers. He is thoroughly conversant with the "art preservative" and moreover he keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age, and treats with fairness and ability the questions which are under public discussion. Mr. Perkins has been particularly influential in public affairs, especially in those relating to the political conditions of city, state and nation, and in 1873 was chosen to represent his district in the state senate, in which he served for one term. In 1890 he was elected by nearly one thousand plurality over the Democratic, Independent and Prohibition candidates to represent the eleventh Iowa district in congress and serve four terms. During Governor Gear's administration he was commissioner of immigration, his term of office expiring by limitation of the statute at the end of two years. From President Arthur he received appointment to the position of United States marshal for the northern district of Iowa and was removed by President Cleveland under a charge of "offensive partisanship". He was a delegate to the Republican national convention at Cincinnati in 1876, at Chicago in 1880, and again in Chicago in 1888. He has been an active member of the party since the Fremont campaign of 1856, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. In 1869, Mr. Perkins married Miss LOUISE E. JULIA, a native of New York city, and they have five living children: Florence Perkins, Samuel Perkins, Clara Perkins, William Perkins and Thomas Perkins. Mr. Perkins, as a citizen of Sioux City, IA, has extended his efforts to various fields in which, as an acknowledged leader, he has championed the highest interests of the municipality and the people at large. He and his family are identified with the Congregational church, and he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is spoken of as one of the leading men of Iowa. In his writings and in speech he is logical, candid and sincere, and his utterances show deep thought and wide research. He has come to be held in high honor as one of the most forceful factors in journalistic and political circles in his state.

Source: Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa (1904)

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Also see my posting at: http://genforum.genealogy.com/perkins/messages/8853.html

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GEORGE D. PERKINS, was born in Holly, Orleans county, N.Y., February 29th, 1840. He learned the printer's trade at Baraboo, Wisconsin. In 1860 he associated himself with his brother and stated the Gazette, at Cedar Falls, Iowa. On the 12th day of August, 1862, he enlisted as a private soldier in the Thirty-first Iowa infantry. He was mustered out of the service at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., on the 12th day of January, 1863. In 1869 he left Chicago, Ill, where he had been connected with the service of the Northern Associated Press, and settled in Sioux City, IA, where he has since lived, and during that time has been editor of the Sioux City Journal, the best newspaper property of Iowa. He as a member of the Iowa senate in 1874-76; was immigration commissioner under Governor Gear, was United States marshal for the Northern District of Iowa, under President Arthur; was elected to the Fifty-second Congress as a republican, and re-elected to the Fifty-third, Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses. Mr. Perkins is one of the strong and great men of the state and nation, and it is a matter of regret that he requests so brief a sketch.

Source: Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa: Leaders ..., Volume 1

GEORGE W. PERKINS, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Farragut; born October 23, 1832, in Derry, Rockingham county, New Hampshire, and remained with his parents until he became of age. He then went to Massachusetts and taught school in Peabody for two years. He emigrated from there to Illinois, locating in Keewonee, Henry county, where he entered the dry-goods and grocery house of Lytle & Terry. He remained with this firm for two years, when he embarked in business for himself, forming a partnership with C. J. T. and C. F. Lytle, under the name of Lytle, Perkins & Co., which partnership continued for about two years, when Mr. Perkins withdrew and again went to clerking, this time for James L. Platt, and remained with him for seven years, at the expiration of which time he engaged in farming and raising hedge plants. In this business he formed a partnership with G. N. Palmer under the firm name of Palmer & Perkins, the firm existing four years. On the 1st of May, 1871, Mr. Perkins emigrated to Fremont county, Iowa, locating where he now resides. He now owns one section of land, which is finely improved. He is also a large stock-feeder, and raises a great amount of corn for that purpose. Was married July 13, 1857, to Miss ELLEN E. LYTLE, a native of Wethersfield, Henry county, Illinois. He is the father of four children: Fred Perkins, Charles F. Perkins, George W. Perkins, and Mary E. Perkins. Mr. Perkins has been a member of the board of supervisors one term.

Source: History of Fremont County, Iowa - Des Moines: Iowa Hist. Co., 1881

MILTON PERKINS was born in Bath county, Kentucky, September 10, 1831. He is a son of Thomas and Milly (Powel) Perkins, the former a native of Virginia. Left an orphan at the age of nine years, Milton found a home with his brother-in-law, Joseph Scott, and was reared on a farm, receiving only a limited education. At the age of twenty he went to Park county, Indiana, where he lived three years; thence to Monroe county, Iowa, settling near Albia. At the latter place he bought eighty acres of wild land and improved it. He dates his arrival in Adams county in 1874, and since that time he has been a resident of Carl township. He owns eighty acres of good land in section 2, and here he is comfortably situated and engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Perkins was married, in Park county, Indiana, in 1854, to Miss MARY ANN KOONTZ, a native of that place and a daughter of Phillip and Rebecca Koontz, her father a German by birth. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have four children: Henry Walter Perkins, who is married and lives in Union county, Iowa; Sarah Jane Perkins, wife of William Rudicil, of Colorado; Ida Ann Perkins, wife of Edward Garrett, of Carl township, this county; and William Grant Perkins, who owns an eighty-acre farm adjoining his father's on the north. In politics Mr. Perkins is independent, voting for the man rather than the party. He is plain and unassuming in his manner and speech, and observes the strictest integrity in all his dealings. He and his wife and their three oldest children are members of the Evangelical Association of Mount Zion Church.

Source: Biographical History of Montgomery and Adams Counties, Iowa. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.

WILLIAM H. PERKINS, of Scranton , Greene County , was born in Adams , Berkshire County , Massachusetts , the date of his birth being October 30, 1838 , a son of William and Eliza (Hathaway) Perkins. The father of our subject was a native of Massachusetts , and died when he was a child. The mother subsequently married again, and by her second marriage had several children. She died in Massachusetts in 1882. William H. Perkins was the only child of her first marriage. He grew to manhood in his native State, being reared to the avocation of a farmer. In April, 1861, soon after the firing on Fort Sumter Mr. Perkins enlisted in Company B, Tenth Massachusetts, the Second Rhode Island, and the Thirty-sixth New York regiments. In the winter of 1861 the brigade was engaged in building forts Massachusetts and Slocum, which constituted a part of the defenses of Washington . In 1862 it took part in McClelland's Peninsular campaign, participating in all of the principal battles of that campaign. Soon after the evacuation of Harrison 's landing, Mr. Perkins was taken sick, when he was sent to a hospital at Philadelphia . When he had partially recovered he was sent to the camp of distribution at Alexandria , but getting worse, he was discharged January 10, 1863 , when he returned to Massachusetts . His health having sufficiently recovered he re-enlisted in the First New York Light Artillery, Battery A, which was first stationed at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, then at Harrisburg, and finally at Chambersburg, where our subject remained till the close of the war, when he returned home without wounds but with health permanently impaired. After the war he was married to Miss ALICE E. BURT, a native of Berkshire County , Massachusetts . Mr. Perkins left Massachusetts with his family in 1872, when he settled in Rochelle, Ogle County , Illinois , coming thence to Scranton March 5, 1879 , where he has since made his home. Politically Mr. Perkins is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Greene and Carroll Counties, Iowa - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago 1887.

WILLIAM H. PERKINS, dealer in groceries, boots and shoes at Angus, was born in Wales, February 17, 1852, son of John Perkins, also a native of Wales. He left his native country in September, 1869, coming to LaSalle, Illinois, and the following spring, to Emporia, Kansas, living there and in Osage City and Leavenworth until 1874. He spent one winter, in the meantime, in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1874 he went to Covington, Indiana, and the following year, visited his native country, returning in the spring of 1876, and in 1880 made a second visit to Wales, and visited California the same year, returning in the fall of 1880. While in Indiana, he kept a grocery store at Coal Creek, near Covington. He came to Angus in 1882, and engaged in his present business the following April. He keeps a full line of groceries, provisions, boots, shoes and notions. He was married in September, 1881, to JANE MORGAN, daughter of Thomas Morgan, deceased. Their children are Janett Perkins, John Perkins and Edith Perkins. Mr. Perkins is a member of the Odd Fellows order, is town treasurer, in 1886, and re-elected for town treasurer for 1887 -- and has served as a member of the town council.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Greene and Carroll Counties, Iowa - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago 1887

JOHN PERKINS, farmer, Sec. 26, P.O. Lynnville; born in Guilford, Co., N.C., in 1828; located in this county in 1865. Married CATHERINE EDWARDS in 1835; she was born in the same county and state in 1828; their children are Eliza Perkins, Hannah Perkins and Mahaley Perkins. They are members of the Friends' Society; he is a Republican. Owns 140 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre.

Source: The history of Jasper County, Iowa

WILLIAM A. PERKINS is a native of Barron Co., KY, having been born on the 1st of February, 1812, and is the son of Jesse and Mary (Allen) Perkins. He was married there to Miss VIRGINIA PERKINS, a daughter of Charles Perkins. Mr. Perkins died in Marshall County, Illinois, leaving on child, Virginia. He was again married in Illinois, in 1855, to Miss LUCINDA HESTER, a daughter of John Hester. They have six children - Thomas Perkins, Elizabeth Perkins, Josephine Perkins, Emma Perkins, Ellen Perkins and Allen Perkins. In 1877 William Perkins came to his present location, on section 4, where he now owns four hundred acres of good land, and raises Poland-China hogs and shorthorn cattle. He has held a number of offices while in Illinois.

Source: History of Guthrie and Adair counties, Iowa : together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative.

Mrs. PERKINS and Mrs. HAWKINS SUSPECTED of MURDERING THEIR HUSBANDS

DES MOINES, IA., Aug. 24 - Relatives of Mrs. Nora Perkins, under arrest in Minneapolis, MN, charged with the murder of Lola Hawkins, claim that the husbands of the two woman died here four years ago under circumstances most mysterious. Mrs. Perkins husband, LINCOLN PERKINS, a printer from Adel, IA, died after fourteen days' illness, and it is said that he told his friends before his death that he feared he had been poisoned. Mrs. Perkins secured $1500 life insurance. Mrs. Hawkins husband William Scott, died about the same time under circumstances which were considered suspicious by Scott's relatives, although they made no investigation at the time. Mrs. Hawkins secured $3000 life insurance. The two woman cut a wide swath before they left here for Minneapolis, MN three years ago.

Source: The San Francisco call. (San Francisco [Calif.]) August 25, 1895

ELIJAH PERKINS, Lincoln twp., farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Winterset; born in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, May 30, 1810; he emigrated to Ohio when a young man, and was engaged in teaching school for several years; he came to this State (Iowa) in 1848, and to this county in 1849, and settled on the land where he now resides, and made the greater part of the improvements; he owns 207 acres of land, on which he has a valuable sugar maple grove, affording all the sugar and syrup they wish for home use; he married Miss JULIA A. ANSLEY in February, 1850; she was born in Pennsylvania, and died in December, 1867; he afterward married MARY A. LUKECART in 1869; she was born in Illinois; has one son by first marriage: Wesley J. C. Perkins; lost one daughter: Clara J. Perkins, aged twelve years.

Source: The History of Madison County Iowa - 1879

ERASTUS GIDDEN PERKINS, Jackson twp., farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Maple Grove; born in Orange county, Vermont, in 1822; moved to Sylivan county New Hampshire, with his parents and brothers; was educated at Newberry Seminary, Vermont; is a graduate of South New Market; remained in New Hampshire until he removed to New York City and engaged in the grocery business; remaining there four years, thence to Washington City as clerk in census office; in 1851, he entered 240 acres of land in Lincoln township, Madison county, Iowa, which he partly improved and then returned to New Hampshire, where he remained six years; he, with his family, emigrated westward, settling in said township for some ten years, then changed his location for one in Jackson township, where he now resides; in the year 1864 he was deputized treasurer and recorder; he was county supervisor from Lincoln township one term, and has capably filled each township office; in 1865 he was elected Captain of Lincoln Home Guards; owns 200 acres of land; he was married in Charleston, New Hampshire, to ROSETTA MIRRIL/MERRILL ?; by this union they have five living children: Edgar Perkins, Helen Perkins, Nettie Perkins, Clara Perkins and Alice Perkins; Charles Perkins died in 1874.

Source: The History of Madison County Iowa - 1879

Dr. LOUIS J. PERKINS. Among the prominent physicians and surgeons of Lewiston, Idaho, is Louis J. Perkins, M. D., who is especially prominent as a surgeon of a high order of ability. But it is not only as a member of the medical profession that Dr. Perkins is known and respected in Lewiston, for he takes an active part in both business and civic affairs, being the owner and manager of a fine ranch and serving as mayor of the city. He is a man of wide experiences, who has lived under conditions that have made him first a man and then a doctor, and his warm personal interest in his patients sometimes has as much to do with his success as his unquestioned ability. He is a man whom Lewiston feels proud to see in the position of chief executive. Louis J. Perkins was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, on the 12th of March, 1866. His parents were Austin J. and Rhoda (Wildman) Perkins, prominent residents of Van Buren county. Austin J. Perkins was born in Kentucky and his wife was a native of Indiana. He was engaged in farming all of his life, but like his son, he was always interested in public affairs and played an active part. He was a member of the school board and assessor of Van Buren county for years, and held a number of other public offices. Both he and his wife are now dead. Louis J. Perkins was the fourth of the seven children of his parents, and was educated in the schools of Keosauqua, Iowa, first completing the work of the grammar school and then being graduated from the high school. He attended the Dexter Normal School for the next two years and then taught school in Van Buren county for several years. He had by this time come to the conclusion that the medical profession was the one which he desired to enter, so having saved his money in expectation of just this use for it, he now entered the Keokuk Medical College, and began the study of medicine. He was graduated from this institution with the class of 1892. The young doctor first began the-practice of his profession in Mt. Zion, Iowa, but only remained there a short time, accepting an appointment as physician to the Umatilla Indian agency at Pendleton, Oregon. He was engaged in this work for four years, and was then sent to the Philippines, as an army surgeon, belonging to the One Hundred and Second Hospital Corps, of the Thirteenth Regular Infantry. He was placed on duty at the Santa Mesa Hospital in the northern part of the island of Luzon. He remained here until 1901 when he resigned to return to the United States. He here continued in the service of the government, as a member of the medical service of the pension department, at Washington, D. C. In 1903 he resigned this position and came to Lewiston, Idaho, to once more engage in regular practice. He soon had built up a flourishing practice and this has been growing constantly until he now ranks among the leading physicians and surgeons of the city. Dr. Perkins was elected member of the school board in 1907 and served four years. He was elected mayor of Lewiston in 1911. In politics he has always taken an active part, being a stanch upholder of the doctrines of the grand old party. He has been chairman of the Republican precinct for four years. He is now a member of the United States examining board of pensioners. In the fraternal world he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Masons, of the Woodmen of the World and of the Eagles. In the first mentioned order he is a past noble grand. Dr. Perkins is the owner of considerable valuable real estate, which consists mainly in his splendid ranch in Nez Perce county, and of his beautiful home in Lewiston. In 1888 Dr. Perkins was married to MAMIE NELSON, the daughter of J. W. Nelson and Eliza (Bonar) Nelson. J. W. Nelson came into Idaho in pioneer times and became a very successful rancher and stockman, as well as a leader in public affairs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are now deceased. Four children have been born to the Doctor and his wife; Bessie Perkins, who is a graduate of the University of Idaho, a member of the class of 1912; John N. Perkins, who is now a student at his sister's alma mater; Paul Perkins and Ralph Perkins.

Source: History of Idaho; a narrative account of its historical ... v. 3. French, Hiram Taylor