Alice A. Perkins

PERKINS, SHULL, BREAKENRIDGE, LEVEKE

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 3/26/2006 at 09:40:11

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, April 18, 1917

Alice A. Perkins was born in Madison county, January 27, 1862 and died in Winterset, April 20, 1917.

Her parents, E. G. Perkins and Rosetta Perkins, came to this county in pioneer time and located at that beautiful prairie farm about eight miles west of Winterset, known during the last half century as Maple Grove. They were both natives of New England, and brought with them to their new home, the culture, habits of thrift and deep religious piety which have characterized the immigration from that county and which mainly determined the settlement and civilization of the great northwest.

The family consisted of six children: two boys and four girls. One boy died when 15 years old and the other a few years ago after having become the father of a family. One girl, Nettie, a lovely and talented lady, who became the wife of Deloss Shull, died many years ago, leaving a son of the same name, now a lawyer of Sioux City. Helen, the wife of James Breakenridge, lives at the old home, Maple Grove and has two boys, Harold and Raymond. There remain four children of the deceased brother, Annabel, who has constantly resided with the Perkins family and three boys: Charles, John and Dewitt of Corning, Calif. The deceased, like all the other members of the family had good educational advantages, the parents deeming this the most important thing in life in connection with a deep religious faith, which was embraced by all of them.

Alice, after attending the schools of this county, attended Simpson college, at Indianola, and had an ambition to make the most of the facilities furnished at a higher institution of learning, but just as her ambition was about to be realized, she was compelled to leave her studies on account of failing health, and to assist her mother in the care of her brother's children. Promptly and dutifully she gave up her ambitions to attend to these arduous and lowly offices for her loved ones at home.

While engaged in the administrations, either as a result of strenuous life or from other causes, she became afflicted with a complication of diseases and for the past several years has been a continuous and patient sufferer.

For fifteen years she was postmistress of Maple Grove, a rural post office at the Perkins home. Upon the death of her sister, Nettie, the infant son was taken to the Perkins home to be cared for and at the death of her brother's wife, the care of the youngest child, Annabel, fell into the same loving hands.

During the last year of her life she received in like measure the most faithful attention from her sisters, Mrs. Breakenridge and Mrs. Leveke, and it was at the home of the latter that she laid down for the last time her wearied body and bid adieu to a strenuous and useful life. "She did what she could" and this the best thing that can be said of any life.

The funeral services occurred from the old home on East Jefferson street Sunday afternoon, Rev. M. M. Cable officiating.

(Burial in Winterset cemetery)

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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