OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Charles Crantz Perkins
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Darlene E. Kelley
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374
June 25, 1999
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Historical Collections of Ohio
The Kelley Family Collections
Newspaper article, Plains Dealer
compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925
And Then They Went West
by Darlene E. Kelley  1998
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     A large and productive ranch on the Las Posas road near
Camarillo,California, reflects the enterprising spirit and up to date
methods of its owner, Charles Crantz Perkins, who represented one of the
old and prominent families of Ventura County. He was born September
3.1876, in Sharon, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and his parents, David
and Emma Crantz Perkins, were natives of Ohio. His mother was born in
Canton and his father in Akron, Ohio. His father, David Perkins was
educated in his native city and was there identified with mercantile
affairs.  In 1879, he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama,
locating in Santa Barbara and Port Hueneme where he became associated
with Senator Bard in various land enterprises of maginitude.  He was one
of the heaviest stockholders in the Union Oil Company and afterward
withdrew his financial support from that corporation and invested his
capital in Docks and warehouses at Hueneme, California.  Later he was
assocated with others in the business of subdividing ranches, and the
partners sold a certain percentage of the land, retaining a portion for
themselves. Mr Perkins was a very astute business man and prospered in
all of his undertakings. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith and
gave his political support to the Republican party. He served as
chairman of the board of Supervisors and represented his district in the
lower house of the State Legislature.  He was a man of exemplary
character and demonstrated his public spirit by both word and deed.
After his retirement he lived in Santa Barbara until his death which
occurred in January. 1920, when he was 70 years of age. His marriage
took place in Ohio, ad his wife's fathr was well known as a harware
merchant of Akron, and her brother, was ex-governor of Ohio.
    When a child of five, Charles Crantz Perkins left his native State,
living a year in Ohio, and then taken to California. He was a a student
in the public schools of Hueneme and took a course in the Thatcher
School in Ojai, afterward entering the Case School of Applied Science at
Cleveland Ohio, in which his relatives at one time helped to found. He
began his business career with the Union Oil Company at Oleum,
California, and become a superintendant of their refinery at that place,
filling the position for nine years.  He entered manufacturing circles
of Los Angeles and for six years was a resident of that city in which
time he became a director in the Thomas Hughes Manfacturing Company of
Los Angeles.  In 1912, he returned to Ventura County and for many  years
was associated with his father in the conduct of the home ranch, which
he became owner in partnership wth his sister, Mrs. Tod Ford, of
Pasadena, California, who later in life moved to Santa Barbara. The
estate consisted of thirty- four hundred acres and Charles' share
consisted of twenty-three hundred acres of valueable land, in the
operation of which he employed the best equipment obtainable. In 1912,
he built a beautiful home on the property and in the same year set out a
grove,which produced fruit of superior quality. Charles was one of the
largest Lima bean raisers in the County.  In 1900, he was united in
marriage to Lucy Anna Kelley, a native of Cleveland, Ohio.  Her
Grandfather was one of the original Proprietors of Cleveland, Ohio. She
was the daughter of Thomas Arthur and Eva Megrue Kelley. Her father
passed away in the Forest City, and the mother removed to Pasedena,
California, and died at her son's home, Arthur Megrue Kelley who at that
time lived in Beverly Hills, California. Arthur Megrue Kelley, was a
prominent Reality Broker in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, California.
     When the United States was engaged in the conflict with Germany,
Charles Perkins was in government service at Washington, D.C. working
under the assistant Secretary of War. He was adherent of the Republican
Party and for one term was a member of the Board of County Supervisors.
He belonged to the California Club of Los Angeles, The Midrick Country
Club, the Ventura County, Ojai Valley, and Santa Barbara Country clubs,
a member of the Sherriffs Posse and The Rancheros.  After the sale of
the ranch, he and Lucy, moved to Santa Barbara, California,residing at
1027 Alemeda Padre Sierra.  He died in 1951, one year after he became
paralized from an auto accident, leaving his wife Lucy, sister Anne
Ford, Niece Marion Ford Gough, Brother-in-law, Arthur Megue Kelley and
wife Meg Rowena Kelley, nephew, Thomas Brown Kelley and his wife,
Darlene E. Kelley.
     His wife, Lucy passed away January 3, 1960 in Santa Barbara. They
were both buried in Santa Barbara.
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