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, who is the wife of Albert Rectenbaugh; Dora, who gave her hand in marriage to Walter Herrick; Maud, the wife of Carl Dory; and Carl and Cressie, 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. | 
