Transcribed by Anna Reynolds

Andrew Jackson PERKINS, the popular and well-known proprietor of the Perkins House, is one of Johnson County's native-born sons, and first saw the light on the old family homestead July 14, 1853. His father was the late Capt. William Perkins, who was an honored pioneer of the conty, a gallant officer during the war, and a man of prominence in the public life and in teh business circles in this part of the state.
Capt. Perkins was born January 6, 1819, in Kentucky. His father, who was a farmer, died there, while his mother spent her last years in this county. He had to work hard upon the old farm that was his boyhood home, and only had an occasional chance to attend school, but he had an active, respective brain, and besides learning to read and write outside of the school-room, he acquired a practical education in other directs, and was a well-informed man. He was ambuitous to make somwthing of himself, and at the age of nineteen left theshelter of the paternal rood to try life in the young and growing state of Illinois, coming to new scenes with but little money, but with an assured capital, consisting of a clear head, willing hands and an honest, courageous heart. He at once engaged in hard work on a farm, receiving twenty-five cents a day in payment for his toil, and he continued for sometime to labor for others at whatsoever he could find to do, contribing to lay up a little money in spite of low wages. He thus accumulated sufficient means to enable him to take untol himslef a helpmate, and May 10, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Simpson, whose parents were early settlers of the county.

After his marriage the Captain rented land in Johnson County, and devoted all the time he couldspare to its cultivation, having to do other work to obtain money to suppotr himself and wife. Sometimes he would cut wood, and once he made a trip to New Orleans with a flatboat load of hop poles to sell. In this manner he toiled on for a number of years, and the bought a farm two miles east of the present site of Vienna. A roughly built log cabin constituted the main improvement on the place when he took possission of it, and it was only by dilligence, perseverance and the application of sound methods of farming that he made of it one the best farms in the neighborhood, clearing the land by felling the primeval forest trees and burning them to get them out of the way. He subsequently sold that farm and turned his attention to milling in Vienna, having an interest in a flourmill and in a sawmill, in connection with A.J. Kurkendall.

The war broke out, and Capt.Perkins laid aside all plans for the future to respond to his country's call for help, and with cheerful self-sacrifive and an wnthusiastic patriotism that was contagious, assisted in raising a company for service, which was incorporated in the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry as Company G, and he was appointed its Captain. He was in the army nearly four years, fought in many battles, and in action evinced true courage, promptness and decision that made his services as an officer valuable and inspired his men with confidence. He was finally seriously wounded in an engagement with the enemy, was taken to a farm-house, where he remained until he had so far recoveder as to be able to walk with crutches,and then, he having fallen into the hands of rebels at the time he was wounded, he was sent to Andersonville to drag out life as best he could amid the sickening environments of the prison stockade at that place. Some months later he was fortunately exchanged, was subsequently discharged on account of disability, and returned home with impaired health, and never again regained the vigor and fine physical condition of bygone years.

The Captain was a man of affairs, who was influential in public life, and was a man of large public spirit, whop was active in promoting enterprises for the advancement of the county. Among other things, he was persuaded to sign a bonf for a mail route between Dongola, Union County, and Vienna. The principal on the bond died, and the Captain had to complete the contract for carrying the mail. In 1868, he was elected Sheriff of the county, and served the full term. Previous to that time, in about 1866, he bought what has since been known as the Perkins House, a hotel property in Vienna, which he impoved to some extent, adding to the building, and he had it under his management, except when he rented it, until his death, which occuraed April 30, 1892. Thus there passed away from the scenes of his usefulness one who had been for many years closely identified with the growth of the county, and whose memory will long be cherished for his great worth as a man and a citizen. The partner of his joys and sorrows preceded him in death, dying in August 1889. Ther were the parents of twelve children. Cynthia F., John Lewis and Henry S., who are dead; James K., a railway bridge carpenter, at Vienna; Mary L. and Auguest M., deceased; Indiana, wife of W.E. Faleser, of Tunnel Hill; Andrew J., our subject; Edie C. and Mary J., both of whom are dead;William E., a resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; and Lizzie E., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins also took to their home and hearts and reared as one of their own J.A. Simpson.

Andrew J. Perkins, of whom we write, is the eighth child of the family. His early years were spent on the farm, but when he was eight years old his parents removed to town, and he had the advantage of an education in the schools of Vienna. When he was a boy he was mail-carrier for his father between this village and Dongola, and he also worked in the livery stable that his father operated in connection with the hotel. He conceived the idea of going to Texas to seek his fortune, but he went no further than Arkansas on his journey thither, and stopping there a few months was variously employed, working on a farm, at paper hanging, working in a confectionery store, baker's shop, etc.

After his marriage, in 1876, he lived in the hotel with his father and engaged in the transfer business. After running an express wagon nearly a year, he went on the road selling goods. In 1879, he leatned the art of photography at Vienna, and for a while gave his attention to that business. In 1880, he bought a half interest in a barber shop, learned the trade, and at the end of ten years bought out his partner, and was sole proprietor of the establishment. He carried on a thriving business, but abandoned it in September, 1891, to take charge of the hotel property, which bought of his father. He is admirable adapted to his position as "mine host", being perfectly familiar with the management of a hotel, always courteous and accommodating, and he enjoys his share of public patronage. He is an exemplary citizen, imbued with true public spirit, and having the interests of his town and county at heart. He is a member of the School Board, and appreciating fully the benefits of a good education, uses his influence to keep the local schools up to a high standard. In politics he is a Republican. He has served on the Village Board of Trustees.

The marriage of Mr. Perkins with Miss Sarah C. Ralls solemnized February 13, 1876. Mrs. Perkins' parents came from Tennesee to this State in the early years of its settlement, and her mother is still living at venerable age, making her home with her. Mrs. Perkins is a consistent Christian, and an active member of the Methodis Episcopal Church. Her union with our subject has been blessed to them by the birth of six children, as follows: Harry, two who died in infancy; Fred;Winnie, deceased; and Nellie.

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