President of the Perkins Appliance Company, Incorporated, of Springfield, Massachusetts, one of the outstanding industries of a great industrial community, is a native of Vermont. He bears a name which appeared in English history back in the reign of Richard II. He was born in Bridgewater, Vermont, August 23, 1879, and attended the public and high schools at Woodstock, Vermont. His father, Charles A. Perkins, likewise born in Bridgewater, was a farmer. His mother, Eliza M. (Dinsmore) Perkins, was born in Lansing, Michigan. The name was derived from Peterkin, and had several spellings. Peter Morley, Esquire, alias Perkins, was an officer in the household or steward of the court of Sir Hugh Dispencer about 1300. Several of the name lived in the neighborhood of Newent, County Gloucester, England; and the immigrant, John, from whom all the Perkins families of New England appear to be descended is said to have come from that part of England, where he was born about 1590. He sailed from Bristol, December 1, 1630, in company with the Rev. Roger Williams aboard the ship “Lion” with his wife, Judith, and their five children, John, Thomas, Jacob, Elizabeth, and Mary. After sixty-seven days of stormy weather, they landed in Boston in February, 1631, and lived first in Boston, where John Perkins was made a freeman the same year, and was one of the committee of four appointed to settle the boundary between Roxbury and Dorchester, November 7, 1632. In 1633 he removed to Ipswich, Connecticut, where he possessed one of several grants of land, and built his house near the river at the entrance to Jeffs Neck, now East Street. He was deputy to the General Court in 1636 and served on the Grand jury, in 1648-1652. Two other children, Lydia and Nathaniel, were born in this country; and from his four sons, John, Thomas, Jacob, and Nathaniel, are descended the various Perkins families in New England. Among those who went to Vermont were the ancestors of the Perkins brothers.
Elisha P. Perkins, who lived in Stockbridge, Vermont, was the great-grandfather of Julian L. and James Albion Perkins. He married Hannah Taft.
Their son, Elisha P. Perkins, was born in Stockbridge, Vermont, March 10, 1809, and died April 10, 1879. He was a farmer by occupation, but like the energetic men of the time he added the trade of mason and builder, and thus made use of the time he could spare from his agricultural activities. He added a third accomplishment and became an expert charcoal burner. He married Louisa Baird, born in Grafton, Vermont, August 27, 1808; and died August 10, 1878, and they were the parents of eight children: Jasper, Charles A., Addie, Letty, Louisa, Elisha, Royal, and Seth.
Charles A. Perkins, their son, was born in Bridgewater, Vermont, October 25, 1843, and died July 4, 1902, in Wethersfield, Connecticut. He attended the public schools of the Bridgewater district, assisting his father in farm work before and after school, and during vacations. When his school days ended he engaged in farming and it was his life-long occupation. He enlisted for the Civil War in Company C, 12th Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, and served for nine months. He returned to Bridgewater at the end of that time and lived there until 1896, a good farmer, known and respected. He removed to Wethersfield in 1896 and lived there his remaining years. A man of good judgment and sound principles he took an active part in public affairs. He acted as moderator at town meetings. He was a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republican, while his religious faith was that of the Second Adventists. His wife was Eliza M. Dinsmore, daughter of James Dinsmore, of Lansing, Michigan, and their five children were: 1. Fred D., since dead. 2. Mattie, who married J. B. Standish. 3. Julian Lee; of whom further. 4. James Albion, a sketch of whom follows. 5. Ruby, since dead.
Julian L. Perkins, the son of Charles A. and Eliza M. (Dinsmore) Perkins, was born in Bridgewater. He was educated in the schools of Bridgewater. On leaving school he was an engraver for a number of years; and also a sawmill owner. He engaged in the manufacture of-gears in 1917 and his business was aided materially by the demand for war material which attended the World War. After its close the plant was devoted to the manufacture of standard gears. Mr. Perkins is a supporter of the political views of the Republican party. He is a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce; of the Manufacturers’ Association and of Orthodox Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. In religion he accepts the beliefs of the Adventists.
Mr. Perkins was married, October 6, 1902, in Williamsburgh, Massachusetts, to May Violet Bailey, a native of that town. Her father was Albert Bailey. Mr. Perkins does business at No. 4 Birnie Avenue, Springfield, where his plant is established.