Perkins, Edward (1822-1897)

PERKINS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 12:45:23

EDWARD PERKINS (1822 - 1897)

Pioneer Sketches – by Leonard S. Spencer [The Advocate Tribune, Indianola, IA, Thursday, Feb 5, 1885, p.6, col.2]
Perkins is of French descent, as the name is familiar in the history of this country from its earliest settlements. They settled in the southern states, principally in the “turpentine state” – some in the “Palmetto state” – in an early day. Whether any of these early settlers were the ancestors of our present subject, the writer is not able to learn. The grand father of our subject was born in France and emigrating to North Carolina became a planter. He we also a Calvinistic Baptist preacher, and was considered one of the “big guns” in that organization. This was nearly a century since and the pulpit was not required to furnish the culture that it ought to furnish at the present day. He not only carried the Bible and hymn book in his pocket to church, but a bottle of whisky and after services were over would sometimes get quite “full.” But at this day there was no notice taken of such things, for it was the custom of the times. He was a good man at heart, and was the means of bringing many to embrace the religion of Him, who came to earth for fallen men.
The father of the subject of our sketch was born in North Carolina in 1797. He emigrated with his parents to Kentucky in 1807. They lived there but a few years, when they came to Illinois, Franklin County. Here, like all early settlers, they had to undergo the privations of a new country, with no mills, no schools, no bridges; fording streams when the water was in a fording condition and swimming when it was not. Here he married Rachel Herring, who was a native of Kentucky. She became Rachel Perkins in 1818, the year in which Illinois was born as a state, August 26. They had several children born unto them; but in 1827 she was called to her final reward. He lived a widower, but a short time before he married his second wife, Evaline Jones, October 1828. She died in 1851. For his third wife, he married a widow by the name of Sharp. They both died in this county.
Edward Perkins, the subject of our sketch, was born in Franklin County, Ill., April 3rd 1822. As we have said, this county was but newly and thinly settled. Much of the prairie was to be broken and farms were to be made, ere the comforts of an old settled country could be realized. From Franklin he emigrated to Warren County, with his parents, and commenced anew, upon the wild prairie. Here he remained, gathering all the information he could in the schools of the day, which were very limited in their advantages. He worked upon a farm until his majority, taking the rough and tumble of all new countries. Some time during his early manhood he fell in love with a Miss Sarah Huffman, a native of Virginia. When he obtained her hand as a partner for life he found a “bonanza.” They were united in the holy bonds of matrimony on the 27th day of August, 1840, in Warren County, Ill. They commenced their journey of life in very limited circumstances; but by industry and economy have made their way up to the present time. They remained in Warren County, Ill., until 1849, when they disposed of their small farm and started for Iowa. They landed in what was called “Fort Des Moines,” then but a small “burg” composed of the buildings that were occupied by the soldiers but a short time previous. Only three small stores were in the place. One was kept by Reuben Sypher, one by B. F. Allen, and one by Jonathan Lyon. The Campbell boys sold “sod corn” [corn whiskey] and “forty rod knockdown” at this time. Perkins only remained here two weeks. Then he moved out upon the farm he now lives upon.
Streams had to be ferried, or forded, or swum, just as the case might be. He came out where he now resides, and bought of Uncle Sam the land that has supported him and his family from that day until this. Having a family of children, and feeling the want of an education himself, he immediately after getting settled upon his farm, began to look out for the schooling of his children. He claims to be the original founder of “Brush College” school district, and the main supporter in the building of that college building. The writer of this article knows that he has taken a great interest in the common schools of the country, and has given all of his children a good chance for a common school education. The old “log college” was built in 1851. We are not informed who the first president was; the writer had the honor of being president of the institution for four terms. The log has been replaced with a nice frame building, in 1865, at a cost of $900.
He was elected justice of the peace in 1850. This position he held for twelve years in all, satisfactorily to his constituents. He had taken pains to post himself in the laws of the state, and being a man of fine judgment, and wishing to deal honorably with his fellow men while in office, not wishing to act with partiality towards his patrons, has made a very good justice. He had been notary for the last eight years. They have seven children living, four boys and three girls, all married but the youngest boy. He resides at home. They lost one boy in the army, Daniel R. He died at Nerganza, was in the 34th Iowa volunteer infantry. One daughter died in 1877. They have raised a fine family of children, good citizens. Mr. Perkins has been a strong temperance man, having no use for liquor of any kind, nor for tobacco. The writer has done a large amount of business with him and has always found him true to his contracts – never varying from what he agreed to do. He is a good citizen and a good neighbor; respects good society and wants his children and grandchildren to keep such. In religious belief he is a Protestant Methodist; in politics, has various opinions.
Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have been permitted to travel a long road together. May they both go down to their graves like a shock of corn fully ripe.
[Note: Edward Perkins was born on April 3, 1822 in Franklin Co., IL and died Feb 19, 1897 in Warren Co., IA. He married Sarah Huffman on Aug 27, 1840 in Warren County, Illinois. She was born Jan 4, 1819 in Virginia and died Mar 17, 1891 in Warren County, IA. They came to Warren County, Iowa in 1849. Both Edward and Sarah are buried in Linn Grove Cemetery, Linn Township, Warren County, Iowa.]