Obituary for Henry Walton Perkins (d1906)
No. 107 - Uncited clippings from the "Neva Murphy Hubbard Collection" of
Beth Rengers Talken, 1998.
#1
Mr. H.W. PERKINS, cashier of the F. & M. Savings bank for more than a quarter of a
century, who for over 71 years labored here on earth, was called to eternal peace and rest
on the 6th of February, 1906, and his spirit transferred to "that bourne from whence
no traveler has ever returned," where justice doubtless bade him welcome, mercy
thrice welcome and the love of God through Christ Jesus a thousand times welcome, with the
assurance that he was now free from temptation. The soul or spirit never sins, only the
flesh is sinful.
Mr. PERKINS was not a member of any chruch yet acknowledge Jesus as his Saviour, in whom
he had faith to the utmost. Like all men, he had his imperfections. Nevertheless he was
more than an average good man, possessing a heart full of charity and an ear ever open to
the call of the needy. We are told that "charity covers a multitude of sins,"
and hence we feel that his many charitable acts and kindnesses of heart, when put in the
scales of justice, will overbalance his shortcomings in other respects. Faith gives
strength to the soul, hope may end in fruition, "but charity extends beyond the grave
to the boundless realms of eternity." And all who had the pleasure of an intimate
acqaintance with H.W. PERKINS will rise up and testify that charity was a cardinal virture
with him. He treated all men alike honorably, justly and kindly, regardless of their
wealth or social position. Spoke no evil of any one, nor ever said a word that would
reflect to the least extent upon the character ___ good name of any man or woman.
As a business man he was honorable and truthful and had the confidence of all who knew
him. He ____ great interest in the welfare of ___ community in which he lived and __an was
especially interested in educational affairs and the public good ___erally.
Mr. PERKINS was born in Troy, ___ in April, 1835, being the only ___ of the late Walton
PERKINS, who grew up in Troy. Surely an old mark has been removed from ___ midst a
prominent and good m___ passed from view and crossed to the other side. But as we a__
__formed by the Scriptures, that ___ day of a man's death is better than the day of his
birth, we will grieve over his departure no in way manifets [sic] a desire to
have ___ him from the blissful life tha_ ___ believe he has entered. He ____ dear friend,
a good man and g___ admired by the writer, and has ___ gone a little ahead of usjust
a_____.
--J.A. WARD. St. Louis, Feb __ 1906
#2
Editor Free Press:
It was with feelings of sorrow and regret that I learned through your paper of the death
of my old and valued friend, Henry W. PERKINS, and I now avail myself of the opportunity
of penning a brief tribute to the memory of one of the best friends I ever had. My
acquaintance with "Dee," as he was familiarly known began in 1850, when as a
mere lad I attended the old Troy Academy, then under the charge of the late Geo. JONES,
"Dee" then being a student in the school. He was then in the first flush of
early manhood, and the acquaintance and friendship there formed between us has been kept
alive through all the intervening years through our paths through life were widely
divergent.
Henry W. PERKINS was one of nature's noblemen a gentleman at all times and under all
circumstances, in the broadest meaning of the term. Those who knew him best loved him for
the many god [sic] qualities of head and heart. Plain and unassuming in his
manners, yet clothed with a dignity born of self-respect which well befitted the man. He
was a genial sociable companion and a true friend. He was liberal in his dealings with his
fellows, charitable to a marked degree always ready by word or deed to render
assistance to those in need. As a business man, he was the soul of honor and integrity,
and by his course in his long and successful business career, drew around him a large
coterie of friends of whom any man might well feel proud.
In his death not only the business community of Troy but of the whole county has lost a
member whose name was the synonym of all that is honest and upright in a business sense,
and whose place will indeed be hard to fill. In all the relations of life, as a business
man, a citizen, neighbor and friend, he filled the measure of that noblest work of God
an honest man, and no more priceless legacy could he leave behind him than this.
Full of years and honors, he has been gathered to his fathers and his place in business
social and the home circle, is vacant, but he has left behind him the record of a life
well spent and an endearing example of honesty and integrity of far more value to his
sorrowing relatives than the wealth of the Indies. The community at large is the better
that he lived in it and his name will need no brazen tablet nor marble shaft to
perpeturate [sic] it among the people who knew him so well and who loved and
respected him for his real worth.
To his wife and daughters permit me to extend my sincere condolence and sympathy in this
sad hour of bereavement, and to remind them that the separation will not be for long. Yet
a little while and those of his friends who now mourn his departure will cross over the
river and join him under the shade of the trees in the Beulah Land where parting is no
more.
--Tyler W. PARKER, Montgomery City, Feb. 12, 1906
#3
At his home in Troy, Mo., on the 6th day of February, 1906, the summons came to our worthy
and much- loved brother, Henry Walton PERKINS, to join the innumerable caravan that moved
to that mysterious realm where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death.
The All-Father in whose keeping are the destinies of the quick and the dead, in his
inscrutiable wisdom, has left us but the memory of his many noble qualities and
innumerable kind deeds.
Brother PERKINS was one of nature's noblemen. He was kind and obliging and was the very
incarnation of refinement. Always optimistic, he took a pleasant view of life and had a
kind word for every one. He was respected by his acquaintances, honored by his business
associates and loved by the children. A good Mason, an upright business man and an honored
citizen is lost to us in his death, and his family have lost a loving and indulgent
husband and father. Therefore be it Resolved, That we keenly feel and deplore the loss of
so good a man and brother.
Resolved, That we will cherish the memory of his many virtures and will point to them as
worthy of imitation.
Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved family our sympathy in their time or sorrow.
Resolved, That a copy hereof be presented to the widow of our deceased worthy brother and
that each of the county papers be furnished with a copy with a request to publish the
same.
--Dr. L. PENDLETON, T.H. MOORE, H. HAVERCAMP, Committee. Troy Lodge No. 34, A.F. &
A.M.
#4
On the 6th day of February, 1906, there passed from earth one of nature's noblemen, Henry W. PERKINS, known, honored, trusted and greatly esteemed by hundreds who will read this brief and imperfect tribute to him as a man and citizen.
He was born at Troy, being the only child of the late Walton PERKINS, and was in his 71st year. All of this life was spent here and the record that he made as a banker, financier and business man was surpassed only by his record as a citizen and gentleman of the highest type.
He was married June 20, 1860, to Miss Georgia RITTNER, who, with three daughters, Mrs. T.C.WILSON and Mrs. J.S.HOWELL, of Hannibal, and Mrs. G.A.STURGES, of Sedalia, survives [several unreadable words] _icken on ___ day, the 2nd inst., with paralysis and passed away four days later, being thus granted a wish frequently expressed that he might have a brief illness when his summons came. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the Commandery degrees. He was not identified with any church, but his heart was full of the love and fear of God, and he had the deepest respect for His church.
Mr. PERKINS entered the Farmers and Mechanics' bank as cashier in the summer of 1874 when the position was make [sic] vacant by the resignation of E.N.BONFILS. He actively discharged the duties of the place for over 31 years. During all that time there was never a question as to the solidity of the bank whose destinies he directed in such a capable manner. It has always been a successful institution, dividends of 100 per cent having frequently been declared on one year's business when it was the only bank in the county. We doubt if there was ever a more popular man in business in the county than Mr. PERKINS. He was courteous, affable and accommodating, yet always zealously guarded the interests of his stockholders and depositors. The writer of this sketch knew Mr. PERKINS for nearly 28 years and will always cherish the memory of his friendship and confidence as one of the brightest spots in my life. No honest man ever went to him for a favor that could be reasonably expected and went away disappointed. He was a generous, public spirited citizen, ever ready to help the needy and to do his share toward promoting the welfare of his town and county. Always in comfortable circumstances and being a good business man he amassed a considerable fortune.
Funeral services were held Thursday at the Presbyterian church at 11 o'clock after which the burial was at the city cemetery in charge of Troy Lodge No. 34, A.F. & A.M.
A good man has gone from us. Long may we cherish his memory and emulate his virtues.
Note regarding clippings from the "Neva Murphy Hubbard Collection": Neva Murphy Hubbard (1886-1971) lived all of her life in Lincoln County, MO. She collected a large file of clippings of Lincoln County residents. The majority of the clippings were without citation. Beth Rengers Talken, beneficiary of the collection, has transcribed them for inclusion in our Lincoln County Heritage Records.
Submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Beth Rengers Talken, 20 August 1998.
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