Biography of Edmund P. Perkins, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames listed: Perkins, Henry, Reynolds. *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Transcribed by: W. David Samuelsen An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902 by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 236 Edmund P. PERKINS Born and reared in Kentucky, he inherited from the time of his advent into this world, which occurred on January 23, 1832, the valor and chivalry of the sons of the old Blue Grass state and has demonstrated them with acceptability ever since. In 1850, he came with the rest of the family to Grundy county, Missouri, being a pioneer of that section, where he remained until 1862 occupied in the art of agriculture, and in the mercantile business in Trenton. On May 4, of the year last mentioned, he "pulled up stakes" and, with his earthly goods in a wagon train drawn by oxen, grappled with the weary task of crossing the plains, and on September of the same year he landed in Baker county. He soon entered land and devoted his entire energies to the development of his farm and to raising stock, which kindred occupations have employed him continuously since, which together with his indomitable continuity in the care of detail and partinacity in prosecuting his enterprises have won for him a success that is a proper crowning. He still owns the old homestead and one half section in addition, part being northwest near Wingville and the other tract six miles north of Baker City. He and his son own four hundred head of cattle and their herds are among the finest in the state of Oregon. He also owns the entire block where his handsome residence is in the city of Baker. His marriage occurred in Grundy county, Missouri, in 1853, February 15, when Miss Mary A. Henry, a native of that state, became his wife. They have become the parents of five children; Madella, wife of W. O. Reynolds; Brent, living twenty miles below on Powder river; Gustavus, in the cattle business with his father; Platt, a farmer; Myrtle. Mrs. Perkins' people were among the early settlers of Missouri. Mr. Perkins crossed the plains back to Missouri in 1866, using ox teams for the journey and then returned over the same route with mule teams. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and has been since 1855, having his affiliation now in Lodge No. 25, of Baker City. He is also a member of the Methodist church, South, and is a powerful supporter of his faith, both in example of life and skillful presentation of precept. --End--