Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.  Individuals desiring to use
this material in their own research may do so.
=============================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
=============================================================================
History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan
pub. D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia - 1880


         [p. 477-478]
         
         JOHN J. PERKINS
         
         In the month of March, 1818, JOHN PERKINS, then a lad
       nineteen years old, bought fifty acres of land in the then
       almost unbroken wilderness of Franklin township, Portage Co.,
       Ohio. This was but one year after the celebrated leap of
       BRADY, the Indian fighter, who, in escaping from the Indians,
       jumped across the Cuyahoga River, a distance of twenty-seven
       feet. MR. PERKINS was in poor purse, but rich in strength of
       purpose, industry, and energy. He was born in Woodstock, Wind-
       sor Co., Vt., Aug. 17, 1799, and left his home at the age of
       sixteen years to seek his fortune. After buying his land he
       drove a team between Franklin and Pittsburg, Pa., hauling
       flour to Pittsburg, a distance of one hundred and fifteen
       miles, and returning loaded with dry goods. This occupation
       he pursued five years, then went on to his farm and commenced
       to clear and improve it. To his farm he added from time to
       time, until he owned two hundred and forty acres of well im-
       proved land, part of which he still owns. He married POLLY
       RUGGLES, who died Oct. 16, 1863. There were born to them
       eight children, of whom JOHN J. PERKINS was the fourth. He
       was born in Franklin township Dec. 14, 1827, and grew to
       manhood on the farm of his father. Like the farmers' boys
       of that day he was early taught to work, receiving only
       such education as could be obtained by a few months' atten-
       dance at the district school during the winter months and a
       three months' term at the Kent Academy. Nov. 13, 1840, MR.
       PERKINS was joined in marriage to Miss MARIA L. MARS, daughter
       of Rev. ADOLPHUS MARS and HARRIET (KEYES) MARS. She was born
       July 10, 1825, and died April 11, 1878. After his marriage
       his father gave him an acre of land, on which he built a
       house and barn, and where he resided until 1857, working
       his father's farm, and by that means getting a start in life.
       He then traded his place for eighty acres of land on section
       3, in Prairieville, paying a difference of two hundred dol-
       lars. The land was entirely new, but has been cleared and
       improved by MR. PERKINS. The farm now comprises one hundred
       and six acres of land, well improved, with good buildings,
       fences, etc., the result of hard work and rigid economy. In
       politics MR. PERKINS has always been a radical Republican,
       as has his father. Since his residence in the township he
       has most of the time held some one of the town offices. For
       seventeen years he has been highway commissioner, three terms
       supervisor, three terms township treasurer, and many times a
       delegate to the county conventions, filling the offices with
       credit to himself and those who elected him. For many years
       he has been a member of the order of Odd-Fellows, and has
       held every office in the lodge of which he is a member. There
       were born to Mr. and Mrs. PERKINS three children, viz: ELLEN,
       Jan. 24, 1848, died March 19, 1864; ALICE, March 17, 1849
       (married to Wm. H. SCUDDER, who is now register of deeds of
       Barry County, and resides at Hastings); and ZYLPHA O., Dec.
       5, 1850, married to CHAS. H. RUGGLES, who served in the
       Union army nearly five years; came home quartermaster of
       the 13th Michigan Infantry; now residing near Prairieville.
       
===============================================================================