This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hughes, Perkins, Scott, Stewart, Thurston Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/UW.2ADE/1723 Message Board Post: Dispatch Democrat Ukiah, Mendocino Co., CA Friday, April 15, 1921 DEATH CALLS F. J. PERKINS Pioneer of Pioneers Crosses Last Divide. Was Member of First White Family in Ukiah In the death of Frank Perkins, which occurred last Saturday morning at 1:35, Ukiah lost one of her oldest pioneers and the community one of its most esteemed citizens. Francis James Perkins was born near Littlerock, Arkansas October 26, 1848. In 1854 his father, A. T. Perkins, moved to California with his family, crossing the plains with an emigrant party by means of ox-teams. The family settled first at what is now Wheatland, then moved to the site of the present town of Marysville. In the winter of 1856 and 1857 they moved again, coming to Ukiah, where they arrived in April 1857. At that time a settler names Samuel Lowry had build a log cabin at the corner of what is now Main and Perkins streets in the rear of the Hotel Cecille, and had preempted 160 acres, comprising a large part of the present townsite of Ukiah. A. T. Perkins purchased this preemption and his family thus became the first white settlers of Ukiah township. While engaged in the blacksmith business the elder Perkins entered into various civic and business enterprises. He and John Burton, who afterward became the first county assessor, started the first store in 1858, and in 1859 he took a prominent part in the election in which Ukiah was made the county seat in a contest in which Calpella ran it a close second. Perkins also founded the first Democratic newspaper, which started in 1863 with Wm. Holden as editor. This paper, known as the Constitutional Democrat, became merged latter with the forerunner of the present Dispatch-Democrat. Frank Perkins, as a young man, worked in his fathers blacksmith shop and also taught school for some time, and was more or less identified with his father's activities. About 1885 he entered business for himself as a painter and decorator. He was married October 22, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth Hughes, daughter of James Hughes, another pioneer. After entering the painting business he contracted a bad case of lead poisoning. As a result of this attack he subsequently suffered various attacks of sickness, which sapped his vitality and left him in a weakened condition organically, and an easy prey to uremic poisoning, the malady which caused his death. His final illness began April 3, while he was on a fishing trip to the Comptche section with his son, F. L. Perkins. His condition rapidly became alarming and he was rushed back to this city and put to bed at home and a physician summoned. He remained in a comatose condition until Wednesday evening, when he recovered consciousness and seemed to be rallying. Friday morning, however, he passed into unconsciousness again and death came to him while in that condition, as to one who slept, and without pain or struggle. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the Seventh Day Adventist church, an impressive tribute being paid to his life and character by the pastor, Rev. J. R. Dieffenbacher. Interment was in the family plot in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery. A large number of friends were in attendance to pay respect to his memory, and the flora tributes were among the most numerous and beautiful ever seen in Ukiah, many being sent and brought by San Francisco friends. Music was furnished by Messrs. P. H. Joseph, Will Van Dyke, Rob Thomas and Geo. C. Dowlen, with Mrs. Roberd Thomas as organist. The pall bearers were Judge J. M. Mannon, E. B. Gibson, R. L. Cleveland, Roscoe Bowen, Peter Rudd and John Nesten. Among those from abroad who attended the funeral were Dr. Richert and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Morgan, of San Francisco. The near relatives who survive are the widow, two sons, Francis Leroy and Dr. Mervyn Perkins, both of San Francisco, and three sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Perkins, Mrs. C. V. Scott, both of Ukiah, and Mrs. Frank Stewart, of San Diego. Ukiah Republican Press Ukiah, Mendocino Co., CA Friday, April 15, 1921 FRANCIS J. PERKINS BURIED LAST SUNDAY Frank J. Perkins died Saturday morning last and with is passing one of the oldest and most respected pioneers of the Ukiah section went to his final reward. Was Born In South Francis James Perkins was a native of Arkansas, having been born in Little Rock, October 26, 1848. Six years later Mr. Perkins' father moved to California with his family, being a member of a party of argonauts who made their way to the Golden West by ox team. The Perkins family settled at what is now known as Wheatland, later going to the present site of Marysville. In the winter of 1856-7 they again moved, this time coming to Ukiah, arriving here in April 1857. Samuel Lowry had just built a log cabin at the corner of what today is Main and Perkins street-in the rear of the Hotel Cecille and pre-empted a claim of 160 acres, taking in a large portion of what now is Ukiah, proper. A. T. Perkins bought this claim and he and his family thus became the first permanent white settlers of the township. Mr. Perkins, Sr. opened a blacksmith shop and engaged in other enterprises of a public nature from the start. In 1858 he and John Burton who was the first assessor of the county; started a store and in the same year, together with John R. Short, built the first school house and donated it to the public. It stood just south of Perkins and west of State streets. First Newspaper Founded Mr. Perkins also founded the first Democratic newspaper, which started in 1863 with Wm. Holden as editor. This paper, known as the Constitutional Democrat, became merged later with the present Dispatch-Democrat. Was Pioneer School Teacher Frank Perkins as a young man worked in his father's blacksmith shop and also taught school for some time. About 1885 he entered business for himself as a painter and contractor. He was married October 22, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth Hughes, daughter of James Hughes, another pioneer. After entering the painting business Mr. Perkins contracted a severe case of lead poisoning, and never entirely recovered from it, having been practically an invalid for years. It was uremia, induced by a weakened organic condition remaining after the lead poisoning that caused death. Mr. Perkins was taken ill April 3 while on a fishing trip to the Comptche section with his son, Frank. His condition quickly grew alarming and he was hurried home and a physician summoned. He remained in a comatose condition until Wednesday evening, when he recovered consciousness and seemed to be rallying. Friday morning Mr. Perkins passed into unconsciousness again and death came as to one who slept without pain or struggle. Buried Here Sunday The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the Seventh Day Adventist church, an impressive tribute being paid to his life and character by the pastor, Rev. J. R. Dieffenbacher. Interment was in the family plot in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery. A large number of friends attended and the floral tributes were among the most numerous and beautiful ever seen in Ukiah, being sent and brought by both local and San Francisco friends. The pallbearers were: J. M. Mannon, E. B. Gibson, R. L. Cleveland, Peter Rudd, John Neston, R. Bowen, music was furnished by Messrs. Rob. Thomas, P. H. Joseph, E. D. Dowlin, Will Van Dyke with Mrs.. Rob. Thomas as organist. Among those from outside who attended the funeral were Dr. Richert and wife and Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Morgan of San Francisco. The near relatives who survive are the widow, two sons, Francis Leroy and Dr. Mervyn Perkins, both of San Francisco; and three sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Thurston, Mrs. C. V. Scott, both of Ukiah, and Mrs. Frank Stewart of San Diego. Mendocino County Indexes http://www.pacificsites.net/~pcarna Mendocino County Tombstone Photos http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mendocem/