Daniel A. W. Perkins Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1253-1254 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JUDGE DANIEL A. W. PERKINS. 

	Judge Daniel A. W. Perkins, who was the first representative at 
the bar of Highmore and is now serving upon the county bench, has 
throughout his professional career held to the highest standards, and 
by reason of his comprehensive knowledge of the law and ability to 
accurately apply its principles has gained an enviable reputation as a 
leading attorney of Hyde county and that section of the state. He is a 
native son of New England his birth having occurred at Newburyport, 
Massachusetts, November 12, 1837, his parents being George and Rebecca 
(White) Perkins. The father, who was born in Maine, followed the sea 
and during the boyhood days of his son Daniel ran a fishing smack. He 
was born in the year 1805, while his wife, a native of Massachusetts, 
was born in 1806. Their family numbered three daughters, two of whom 
are yet living in the old home at Newburyport, Massachusetts, in' which 
they were born and in which the parents passed away; and two sons, 
Charles, now deceased, and Daniel A. W. 

	Judge Perkins was the fifth in order of birth in a family of five 
children. He attended school in Massachusetts and subsequently became a 
student in the New Hampshire University at New London, that state. 
Having prepared for the bar, he was admitted to practice in 
Massachusetts and opened an office in Newburyport, where he lived until 
1865, when he removed to Iowa. There he engaged in teaching for about 
two years and then was admitted to practice in that state, after which 
he followed his profession at Wilton Junction, Iowa, for about three 
years. He next removed to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he practiced 
until 1882, when he came to South Dakota, being at Highmore at the time 
the town was platted. He took a claim west of the town, where Holabird 
now stands, but in 1883 sold that to the railroad company. The 
following year Highmore was platted and he opened a law office there in 
1885, Judge Perkins and A. N. Van Camp being the first lawyers of the 
town. Mr. Perkins was called to the office of county attorney, in which 
he served for a year, and later he returned to Iowa for a brief period 
but has practically engaged in practice continuously in Highmore since 
1884. He was not long in demonstrating his ability to cope with the 
intricate and involved problems of the law and win success for his 
clients-a success based upon thorough preparation and strong and 
forceful presentation of his cause. His marked ability led to his 
selection for the office of county judge, in which he is now serving 
for the eleventh year, having been elected by a constituency that 
recognizes his marked ability and the chose conformity of his judicial 
duties to the highest standards of the profession. While living in 
O'Brien county, Iowa, he served as county attorney one term. For two 
years he conducted the Sheldon Mail at Sheldon, South Dakota, and in 
1910 started the Hyde County News, in which paper he is still 
interested, although he does not actively take part in its publication. 

	In August, 1875, Judge Perkins was married to Miss Dana Chrysler, 
who was born in Canada but accompanied her parents to Iowa in her early 
girlhood, remaining in that state until after her marriage. Their 
children are Mrs. Rebecca White, whose husband is an extensive 
landowner now living in Sioux City; and John Badwell, who married Miss 
Abbie Drew and is the editor of the Highmore Herald. 

	Judge Perkins was made a Mason in 1863 and has membership with 
the lodge at Highmore, which finds in him an exemplary representative 
of the craft. His political allegiance has always been given to the 
republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. 
He has closely studied political questions and issues and believes 
firmly in the principles of the party which he supports. Not only was 
he one of the pioneer members of the Highmore bar but is today one of 
the most venerable judges upon the bench in South Dakota, being now in 
the seventy-eighth year of his age. His is a splendid record, faultless 
in honor and stainless in reputation. He has never regarded his duties 
lightly but has always recognized the fact that in his official 
capacity he stands as the conservator of public right, life, property 
and liberty.