Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-31

Al. J. Perkins WAS born AuSHss -.
1892, at Newark, Tloga county, y. n;
died at his home IN Grand Rapids.
Mich, At the ripe age Of - years, 4
months and 25 days, amidst the incom-
picts circle of hn family; the wife and
mother beng present ana comforted by
her.two younger sons. and the wife of an
absent son; the two eldest sons being
enroute from the Pacific coast, na
response 10 messages wired them on
the 18th concerning their fathers ill.
ness. HIS death occurring on the zo;h
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 bis
| brow.
His business ability developed 81 an
| early age. HIS uncle Alanson DEAN
| approaching his worth, placed thc
entire control OF his large mercantile
business at Owego. ". y, under hs
sole msnagement. whiie he was stiii IN
his teens. Prosperity attended hss ef-
forts, and eventually ne purchased hls
| uncle's entire business. Then having
well established income assured. he
very ihoughtiuliy provided for h,s
future happiness by selecting heit.
meet.
Took 10 Uimseif . vita
HIS choice was Harriet NJ. Parsous OF
| Berkshire. New .Nofk. 10 whom be was
welded March /, iSss. BY their union
there were eight children born TO them
seven sons and one daughter. OF
whom there are at the present fou,
sons living. IL was pride aud COM
fort TO hlm TO see them ali established
IN business through hss efforts, prior 10
his dcceasc.
His eldest son, Charles T.. being as
| socsated with the two younger sons,
Harry j. and Fred L., IN conducting a
sawmill and lumber business at Aber-
deem, Washington, while NiIlss j. con
tinues the manufacturing business
founded by hrs father la 1873 a: Grand
Rapids. Michigan. which industry
bears his name. Perkins a. Co.. and IN
its development his every thought and
care have been centered for the past
seventeen years.
HIS pride and ambition WAS 10 add 90
the puE4ber of bis employees, that there
by he might become a beneiactor 10
many, the obligations SO deIlcsfeiy
placed on those whose interests were
his. received a moufnful acknowledge
ment from them on ms last journey 10y
their marching in body as an escors.
Pioneer in renn.yi.s.ia
In 1852, desiring 10 expand his busi-
mesa, he moved from owero, y. n. To
Cogan Valley, LycoDing county, IA.
where he had already invested largely
in timocr lands, on which be erected n
lumber and shIngle mil. fof time
he depended on supplying local de-
mands, bat his rapidly increasing bust
ness necesstated sn outside market,
and he joined with several Others ln
completing plank road some tbiftcen
miles long 10 the Ere canal. thereby
opening up a Philadelphia market.
That he was pioneer IN that seeficn
10 best evidenced ~ the fact that a
birdie path along the mountain SIDE
Was for long time the only thread
connecting hIm with civilization.
The establishing by him of a sunday
school and the maintsiniug OF church
service, of tmrs Officiating Ne minis
ter himself. IN buildings connected With
hls mill plant. vac n manifestation OF
hie sincere Christian character.
The usual vicissltudes accompanying
a lumberman's ventures followed BIN.
his mills being destroyed by fsrx-
Ia 1866. 10 better educate hie child
reD, a. well IS TO still further enlarge
his business, he moved 20 wllllsmsport.
Pa.
SCI found him actively engaged IN
organizing the Wjilismsport Pork
Manufacturing company. The venture
was . decided success and gave employ
neri TO some 300 mechanics.
Came a. ssrspe Esrfas
About the ssme time, IN company
with Charles y. Ayers, he erectsd a
large carriage manufaefcry: rad not
satisfied with she three ip-snstries, be.
in 1888, invested ia q second ssw null
and tract Of timber. orertsred with
: work. N 1871 bis health fsisrd him. On
, | recovering from . sersuue Illness he de-
| cidsd on an esteDcea tour n the west.
/ IN consideration of his future besith
! and after . careful ,nepecfien n,f Tie
J business outlook, he determinea 20
transfer f1is interest 20 Grand Rapids
Mich, 10 which poaut he moved ~
1872.
, In 1s-s be started machine shop fof
: she mspufsctnft 81 t)ss .. * saw guns.
E I8srs In 1878 s<sfnels mil mscnsn snsfy
. / <.x.F< a.. r..