Michigan Perkins Obituaries
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~Perkins Research~

 
Mrs. MELISSA W. PERKINS - died at her home in Trowbridge, December 9th, 1893. She was born at Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 9th, 1814. At eleven years of age she removed to Rochester, N. Y., and at 20 years married GEORGE PERKINS. They came to Allegan Co., Michigan, December 1st, 1838, and Mr. Perkins died in 1865. She was a wife 31 years, a widow 28 years, and had resided in Allegan and vicinity 55 years. In 1892 she suffered a stroke of apoplexy, and her mind gradually failed from that time. She was the mother of two sons, both deceased, and 3 daughters, Mrs. John W. Fansler of Allegan, MI and Mrs. Charles Sharpless and Miss Julia Perkins of Trowbridge. Mrs. Perkins was well known in Allegan and vicinity, especially by the old settlers, was a very excellent woman and her many friends cherish kindly remembrances of her. She reached the age of 79 years and 7 months.

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Source: 7.11.1911 - The Commercial- Record - Saugatuck, Allegan Co., MI
http://www.commercialrecord.org

SAMUEL PERKINS whose death occurred on Sunday at 1:30 A.M., was born August 26th, 1823, at Genesee, New York. He was one of a family of twelve children, of which two brothers survive him. After a boyhood spent in Genesee, N.Y., he came with his parents to Ohio. In early life he followed the lakes. On May 3rd, 1851 , he married Miss ELIZA GOLDSMITH at Berlin, Ohio. Coming to Saugatuck, MI in 1871, he has resided here up to his death. Mr. Perkins enjoyed the rare distinction of seeing all his children, two sons and five daughters, grow up to manhood and womanhood, all of which were at his bedside, when he passed away. Although 88 years of age, Mr. Perkins never seemed old, making light of all indispositions, continuing his activities around his home, until the day of his illness and keeping his interest in his family which he loved so well. He leaves a bereaved wife, Eliza, two sons, George Perkins of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Henry Perkins of Saugatuck, MI and five daughters, Mrs. Chas. Roblyer of Glenn, Mrs. Thos. Garton of Allegan, Mrs. R. G. Annesly, Mrs. Chas. Greenhalgh, and Miss Nell Perkins of Saugatuck, also twelve grand-children and three great-grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn his departure. The funeral services were held from the house in which he lived for over forty years. Rev. G. W. Brownback having charge of the services, assisted by Rev. G. B. Millar.
 

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Source: 7.16.1915 - The Commercial- Record - Saugatuck, Allegan Co., MI
http://www.commercialrecord.org

ELIZA GOLDSMITH PERKINS, whose death occurred Thursday July 8th, 1915, was born April 13th, 1827, at Vermillion, Ohio. She was one of a family of nine of whom one brother survives her. On May 3rd, 1851 she was married at Berlin Oho, to SAMUEL PERKINS. Coming to Saugatuck, MI in 1871, she has resided here up to her death and has made a host of friends to mourn her loss. Of this marriage, two sons and five daughters were born all of whom survive her. Although eighty-eight years of age, Mrs. Perkins was very active up to one month ago when she fell and broke her hip. She retained all her faculties until she was called from this home to the one beyond.
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Bible and Family Records - Daughters of the American Revolution - Elizabeth Sherman Reese Chapter - Lancaster, OH (1963)

ALAMANDER PERKINS -  Dec. 10th, 1875 - Jus received notice of his death at Paola, Kansas on Nov. 25th. He will be remembered by all old residents of Adrian, MI, he having learned his trade that of harness maker, in this city. Born in N.Y. came to Adrian, MI when a mere boy, with his father, who still resides on Beecher Street, this city. Leaving here about 9 years ago he went to Hudson, MI , remained a time & then moved to Paola, Kansas where he has since lived. At his death he was 45 years. old leaves wife & 3 children. (Adrian Times). Mr. Perkins, while here, as Prop. of the Church St. harness shop.

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Bible and Family Records - Daughters of the American Revolution - Elizabeth Sherman Reese Chapter - Lancaster, OH (1963)

May 27th, 1881

MARTIN BRYANT PERKINS d. at his residence in this village Sunday May 22nd, 1881, aged 70 years. b. Saratoga, N.Y. Feb. 13th, 1811. When quite young, his mother, then a widow, moved to Cato, Cayuga Co., N.Y. Subsequently at age 17 he moved to Hannibal, Oswego Co., N.Y. residing there until 1847 when he came to Michigan & located on a farm near the village of Hudson, MI, which he continued about 4 years, since which time he has resided in this village, engaging in business until 1867 when he formed a partnership in the banking business with Hon. J.M. Osborn, Wm. B. Ames, Wm. B. Thompson & G.I. Thompson, fir name of Osborn, Perkins & Co. in which business he has since continued - firm name being changed & now known as PERKINS, THOMPSON & CO.
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Bible and Family Records - Daughters of the American Revolution - Elizabeth Sherman Reese Chapter - Lancaster, OH (1963)

Jan. 21st, 1887

MOSES H. PERKINS was born in Hudson Township, MI, Nov. 29th, 1847 & died Jan. 20th, 1887. Was youngest son of the late Martin B. Perkins. His mother died when he was 2. Boyhood spent in Hudson, MI, at 17 went to Chicago. Worked as RR postal clerk in Nevada until his father's, M B Perkins, death in May, 1881. Came here & was 1 of firm of Upton & Perkins in 1881. Married September 28th, 1882, to Miss ELLA (VEDDER), whom he left a childless widow. In 1884 he erected a fine blockhouse he has since conducted his business.
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Bible and Family Records - Daughters of the American Revolution - Elizabeth Sherman Reese Chapter - Lancaster, OH (1963)

Mar. 2nd, 1883

MRS. MARTIN B. PERKINS d. at her residence on Church Street, Wednesday, aged 68 years. Relict of the late Martin B. Perkins. Her death resulted from serious injuries received by a fall while crossing the street on Saturday. Funeral at the house tomorrow (Saturday).

PHEBE S. (Webster) HALL- PERKINS m. Jan. 1853 M. B. Perkins who for years had been prominent man in Hudson, MI. Widow of Alfred G. Hall & daughter of Asa & Sarah Webster of Augusta, Greenville Co., Canada. Her father was born in Cheshire Co., N.H. & served 3 years as soldier in Rev. War, in the American Army. After the war he went to Augusta Canada where he later lived & drew pension from U.S. Government. He died Aug. 1840 aged 81 years. He m. Jan. 16th, 1791 Miss Sarah Baldwin of Litchfield, CT by whom he had 15 children, Mrs. Perkins being the 13th child.

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Jan. 23rd, 1885 - Owosso Times - Owosso, Michigan

Attention, Comrades. FRANK PERKINS died Jan. 21st, 1885 at 11 p.m. Funeral at the residence under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic, Sunday, Jan. 25th, 1885. All comrades are ordered to be in attendance.
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Nov. 9th, 1887 - Detroit Free Press

Martha M. Perkins, of Wayne Co., MI, petitioned the Probate Court yesterday for the appointment of herself as administrator of the estate of the late GILMAN W. PERKINS, who died intestate on July 19th, last. The estate of the deceased is valued at about $20,000, of which $20,000 is personal property. The heirs at law of the deceased, as stated to the petition, are the petitioner Cella S.Perkins, Julia I. Snafer, of Detroit, and G. W. Perkins, of Ottawa, KS. The deceased left a will which was denied by Judge Durfee last week for want of sufficient proof of authenticity.
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Source: Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 27] Author: Michigan Historical Commission

SANFORD S. PERKINS, died at his home in Saginaw township, MI, at 2:20 p.m., Sunday, December 8th, 1895, aged 64 years, from sciatic rheumatism, with which he had been affected some years. Mr. Perkins was one of the early settlers of this locality, coming here 46 years ago. The Hon. Sanford S. Perkins was elected representative from the third district of Saginaw county, in 1892, serving his constituents with characteristic fidelity and earning for himself in the house a well-deserved popularity. He was born in Erie county, PA, in 1830. In 1837 he came with his parents to Michigan, spending five years at Owosso, MI, removing to the city of Saginaw in 1842. After completing his course at school, he engaged in the manufacture of carriages. He discontinued this business to accept the contract for constructing the City of Saginaw Street railway, connecting Saginaw with East Saginaw. When the road was completed he continued it its management thirteen years, and then removed to his farm in Saginaw township, two miles from the city. He was married in 1858 to MARY F. WYMAN, who died six years afterward, leaving two sons. Deceased was a kind and considerate husband, father, brother and son. An aged mother, 86 years of age, his sister, Nettie Perkins, and two sons, Steven D. Perkins and Winfield S. Perkins, mourn his loss. His motto in life was charity for all and malice toward none. Deceased was a charter member of Saginaw Lodge No. 25, A.O.U.W., and a member of Saginaw Valley Lodge No. 154, F. & A.M.
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Jan 4th, 1889

MARGARET (FORD) RANDALL-PERKINS b. Oct. 31st, 1824 in York State. Lived with Peter Voorhees & wife, & with them came to Michigan in 1833, settling on a new farm west of Adrian, MI. m. when 18 years old to Enoch Randall & settled in Blissfield. TO them were born 1 daughter, Minerva Randall. Mr. Randall died December. 1847, m. Aug. 1849 SAMUEL C. PERKINS; & MILAN PERKINS is their only child. She d. Jan. 1st, 1889 after a long illness of a complication of disease.

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Mrs. LUCINA PERKINS, died Aug. 3rd, 1889, aged 65. Wife of the late WILLIAM PERKINS.
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Mrs. WATSON PERKINS - Mrs. MARTHA PERKINS, relict of Watson Perkins, died at the home of her adopted daughter, Mrs. Anna Sturgis in township of Sturgis, MI, May 28th, 1892, aged 83 years. She was buried at White Pigeon.
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Jan. 31st, 1892 - The Sunday Herald - Grand Rapids, MI

Sunset of a Life - HARFORD J. PERKINS Enters the Shadows, After having run his course. Which was marked by wide and varied business success and upright, pious career - His Death.

A Christian and a church worker from the cradle to the grave; an active and exemplary business man from youth till the increasing weight of more than three score years and ten made it advisable to roll the burden of financial cares on his sons, who were his co-workers. Such in brief is the biographical history of our sketch - the late Harford Joseph Perkins.

H. J. Perkins was born August 22th, 1892, at Newark, Tioga county, N.Y.; died at his home in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the ripe age of 72 years, 4 months and 25 days, amidst the incomplete circle of his family; the wife and mother being present and comforted by her two younger sons, and the wife of an absent son; the two eldest sons being enroute from the Pacific coast, in response to messages wired them on the 19th concerning their father's illness. His death occurring on the 20th precluded their seeing him in life. His transition was like the merging of the day from the night; no struggle passed over his frame or shade crossed his brow.

His business ability developed at an early age. His uncle (Alanson Dean) appreciating his worth, placed the entire control of his large mercantile business at Owego, N.Y. , under his sole management, while he was still in his teens. Prosperity attended his efforts, and eventually he purchased his uncle's entire business. Then having a well established income secured, he very thoughtfully provided for his future happiness by selecting a help meet.

                Took to himself a wife.

His choice was HARRIET M. PARSONS of Berkshire, New York, to whom he was wedded March 1st, 1848. By their union there were eight children born to them - seven sons and one daughter, of whole there are at the present four sons living. It was a pride and comfort to him to see them all established in business through his efforts, prior to his decease. His eldest son, Charles E. Perkins, being associated with the two younger sons, Harry J. Perkins and Fred L. Perkins, in conducting a sawmill and lumber business at Aberdeen, Washington, while Wiilis J. Perkins continues the manufacturing business founded by his father in 1873 at Grand Rapids, Michigan, which industry bears his name, Perkins & Co. and in its development his every thought and care have been centered for the past seventeen years. His pride and ambition was to add to the number of his employees, that thereby he might become a benefactor to may; the obligations to delicately placed on those whose interests were his, received a mournful acknowledgement from them on his last journey by their marching in a body as an escort.

                 Pioneer in Pennsylvania

In 1852, desiring to expand his business, he moved from Owego, N.Y. to Cogan Valley, Lycoming county, PA, where he had already invested largely in timber lands, on which he erected a lumber and shingle mill. For a time he depended on supplying local demands, but his rapidly increasing business necessitated an outside market, and he joined with several others in completing a plank road some thirteen miles long to the Erie canal, thereby opening up the Philadelphia market. That he was a pioneer in that section is best evidenced by the fact that a bridle path along the mountain side was for a long time the only thread connecting him with civilization. The establishing by him of a Sunday school and the maintaining of church service, of times officiating as a minister himself, in buildings connected with his mill plant, was a manifestation of his sincere Christian character. The usual vicissitudes accompanying a lumberman's ventures followed him, his mills being destroyed by fire. In 1866, to better educate his children, as well as to still further enlarge his business, he moved to Williamsport, PA. In 1867 found him actively engaged in organizing the Williamsport Fork Manufacturing company. The venture was a decided success and gave employment to some 300 mechanics.

                 Came to Grand Rapids

About the same time, in company with Charles E. Ayers, he erected a large carriage manufactory; and not satisfied with the three industries, he, in 1868, invested in a second saw mill and tract of timber. Overtaxes with work, in 1871 his health failed him. On recovering from a serious illness he decided on an extended tour in the west, in consideration of his future health, and after a careful inspection of the business outlook, he determined to transfer his interest to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to which point he moved in 1872. In 1873 he started a machine shop for the manufacture of the O.K. saw gummers. In 1875 shingle mill machinery was added to the product of the factory, and his son, Willis J. Perkins, became associated with him as a partner, the firm being styled Perkins & Co.  The business rapidly increased under careful management, until at his death the main factory occupied 264 feet frontage, two stories and basement in height, with foundry and other suitable buildings adjacent. In 1890, exercising the same careful forethought which had insured his previous success, he thought best on account of failing health to retire from active participation in business, and at the same time made full and complete arrangements for the uninterrupted continuance of the business is case of his death at any time.

                 He was widely mourned

The brief period of his retiring life, from 1890 to the time of his death, was most pleasantly occupied in extensive travels; twice visiting the Pacific coast, the last time accompanied by his family, touring through lower California, the Yosemite Valley and interesting points along the Pacific slope. In tribute to his memory, his son whose hand was linked in his for nearly two decades, has truly said; "Our father was our pride, because his life was worthy of emulation, because shining through his daily acts there was always discernible that which has a higher aim than the sole securing of a transient victory in the daily occupation of life.". His example pointed out to us, as most fitting with his own, a life of piety, temperance and purity. There is not a state of territory over which the shadows of the stars and stripes leap and play, and where the forest shafts point to the way his soul took its flight heavenward, that his mourning friends may not be found. The funeral of the late Harford J. Perkins was held at the family residence, No. 154 Turner Street, January 27th, 1892, at 2:30 p.m.
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Jan. 2nd, 1892 - St. Joseph Saturday Herald - St. Joseph, Berrien Co., MI

Mrs. A. E. PERKINS, one of the older residents of St. Joseph, was stricken with paralysis Christmas night and died Monday morning. Mrs. Perkins was born at Hartford, CT, on Oct. 31st. 1807, was married to Mr. Perkins, (who died in Nov. 1877 *See: Asa E. Perkins) on June 8th, 1831, and came with him to St. Joseph in 1856, residing here ever since. She was the mother of eight children, two of whom died in New Hartford, CT, two in Detroit and one in St. Joseph. One son, Eugene Perkins, and a daughter, both living here, and Mrs. A. L. Potter, of Chicago, survive her. Mrs. Perkins was a good wife and mother, a kindly neighbor who had lived here through many changes to a ripe old age. She was a member of the Congregational Church. Her funeral took place Wednesday afternoon from her late home, on State Street where she had lived throughout a long term of years, in the present of a large number of people, Rev. H. F. Tyler, pastor of the Congregational Church, conducting the services. The children desire to here express their deep thanks to all, particularly to the Mesdames John Wallace, James Forbes and John Keppler who assisted them in this time of sorrow
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Nov. 18th, 1892 - The Weekly Palladium - Saint Joseph, MI

Mrs. MATTIE E. PERKINS died this morning at 8 o'clock, aged 56 years. Mrs. Perkins has been a great suffer for several months from cancer. She has been a resident of St. Joseph from childhood. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow from the house on State street, conducted by Rev. E. V. Armstrong
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Nov. 6th, 1893 - The Detroit Free Press

ALBERT H. PERKINS, died at 68 West Elizabeth street, yesterday after an illness which manifested itself last summer. Mr. Perkins was widely known being a member of the Harmonie Society and of Ashlar Lodge F. and A.M. He was a cashier at the Michigan Farmer, having begun as office boy in that institution over twenty years ago. The funeral will take place Wednesday from the residence of his brother, John W. Perkins, 321 Harrison Ave.
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Feb. 4th, 1899 - Detroit Free Press

The funeral of the late H. C. PERKINS, who died Thursday in Grand Rapids, MI, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from Tabernacle M. E. Church. Mr. Perkins was 67 years old, had lived in Detroit about twenty-five years and leaves two sons, John W. Perkins and William R. Perkins and one daughter, Nina L. Perkins.
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