San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-16
GEORGE l.. PERKINS,
OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT.

Colonel George L. Perkins, who was
hundred years old on August 5, and
| has started his second century in fine
health ana spirits. The day succeed
| ing that on which he rounded the
century, a celebration was held in his
honor, attended by many influential
people.
Folks looking at the old gentleman's
portrait will say, naturally enough,
THAT is not the picture of a centenar-
ian." But it is, and a faithful one,
and any indications it may have, as
that its subject writes firm hand,
goes to business and is capable of
overtaking and jumping on stage,
are borne out by the facts. No wonder
that the Nutmeg state is proud of its
oldest inhabitant, with whom tits
surely time that people in other COM
mOnwealths become acquainted.
George L. Perkins was born in Nor
witch, August 5, 17SS. In his youth he
precarious did his condition become
Indies in charge of a body servant.
This trip, however, did him little
good and upon his return, he began
the healthful practice of pedestrian
ism, making excursions to different
parts of New England. 1t was
about this time, in 1907, that he
walked from Norwich to Poughkeep-
sic, New York, in order to be pas
senger on the Clermont, the first
steamboat that ever paddleed the
waters Of the Hudson. \ night and
a day We're consumed in making the
journey to New York, the speed of
FultOn's steamer being but three and
One-half miles an hour.
When the war of 1872 broke out Mr..
Perkins was made paymaster for the
Third District which comprised Con-
necticut Rhode Island and Massa-
chusetts. He was present at the DOm-
bardment of StOnington, on August
10th. For seventy-siX years he has
not missed an election, either presi-
dential town or municipal. James
Madison was the first president
for whom he voted, in 1872, and
James Monroe the second. He expects
to vote this year. During MOnroe's
administration he made a tour of
the New England states, coming up
the Sound from New York to New
London on the steamer Fulton. The
Colonel has met Madison, John
Adams, John Quincy Adams, Van
Buren, and Lincoln, and has had as
his guest in Norwich, Presidents Jack
son and Hayes. In 1861 Governor
Buckingham, of Connecticut sent him
to Washington with important pa
pers, and while there, at the in
vitatiOn of President Lincoln and
Secretary of War Cameron, he
reviewed the Seventy-fOurth New
York regiment. Mr.. Perkins was
one of the original incOrpOra-
tors Of what is now the Norwich and
Worcester railroad, the second or
third oldest in the country. which
was incorporated in 1885 as the BOs-
ton, Norwich and New London, after
wards the Norwich and Worcester.
He was one of it's directors for many
years. Mr.. Perkins became treasurer
of the road in 1888, and has held the
Office ever since, with the exception of
seven months. He has Outlived eight
presidents, over ninety directors, two
civil engineers and four superintend-
ents; and is the oldest active railroad
man, volunteer fireman, book-keeper
and club man in the world. Mr.. Per-
kins attributes his wonderful preser-
walton and vigor to his temperate
habits. He has never used liqur nor to-
baccO in any form. His food is very sim
pie. Entire wheat bread is eaten by
him, and bolted -four has never
crossed the threshold of his door.
His wife still lives and shares the
hOnOrs of his old age. She has been
his companion seventy years. Both
have reason to be proud of each
others personal appearance. She is
a handsome old lady, and he is per-
feet specimen of gentlemen of the old
schOol-dignified, cOurtly and pol
ished. He is six feet in height, shape
ly and straight as an arrow, with
snOw-white hair and whiskers and a
pleasant face from which beam bright
blue ewes