The Last On Earth
On Friday afternoon, December 17th, 1886, at his residence in this city, Solomon Perkins, senior, passed the way of all earth at the ripe age of 86 years. He was remarkably hale up to the time of his death, which was very sudden. He had been slightly ailing for a few days, and Friday afternoon, at about the hour of four o'clock, he complained of faintness, rose from his chair, lay down upon the bed and expired instantly.
Father Perkins was born in Kentucky, removed to Illinois at the age of 7 years, was married to Miss Mary Ogle at the age of 19, and raised a large family of children, who occupy prominent places in their respective communities.
The funeral was held from the Baptist church, Tuesday, and a large delegation of relatives and friends followed the remains to their last resting place. The numerous relatives have the sympathy of the entire community in their hour of affliction.∼Tribute to Solomon Perkins
Last Saturday the electric wires clicked the sad news from Nebraska, that Uncle Solomon Perkins was no more. How many hearts will heave a sigh, as the news spreads over the land, Iowa and Warren County's oldest settler gone. Mr. Perkins was born in Kentucky in the year 1801, in early life he moved to Illinois; here he was married to Mary Ogle in the year 1820, at a very early day he moved to Iowa and settled in the east part of the state near Burlington. In coming to Burlington he was compelled to cut his own road through the timber east of the Mississippi river and crossed on the first ferry boat that ever crossed the river at that place. The spot where Burlington now stands was then covered with brush and timber. Mr. Perkins has killed deers where the city of Burlington now stands. He was the first sheriff that was ever elected in the state in the year 1853, still possessed with an enterprising and energetic spirit. He pushed farther west and settled in Warren Co. near Greenbush; his occupation was farming and few men have done as much to improve and build up our state and few more honored and respected. Uncle Sol as he was generally called, received a hearty and welcome greeting from all who met him. He was a life long member of the Baptist church, and done a noble and liberal part in helping to erect the Baptist church that stands one mile east of Norwalk. He was the father of twelve children, ten of whom are still living. As quite a number of his children moved from here to Nebraska a few years ago, after he had passed the four score mile post on lifes road, he concluded to follow. He now with the wife of his youth sleep side by side in a side in a cemetery near David City, Neb. Thus ends a long and useful life, a life of many toils, but he rests from them all. From the cradle to the grave, from Kentucky to Nebraska, from 1801 to 1886 — how long the stride, how many weary steps — but he rests from all; his life work is done. His hair silvered over with the frosts of many winters, he calmly and peacefully yields up a long and useful life, and is ready to emigrate once more to a land where the hair never grows white by age and the eye never grows dim.
Published in the Indianola Herald, Indianola Iowa, 23 Dec 1886, p3.∼Transcript of letter of appointment
Stevens T. Mason, Secretary & at present acting Governor in and over the Territory of Michigan, to all to whom these presents may come, greetings: know ye that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity and ability of Solomon Perkins I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of the said Territory, have appointed him Sheriff of the County of Demoine and I do hereby authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the duties of that office according to law: to have and to hold the said office with all the rights, privileges, and emoluments thereunto belonging, during the pleasure of the Governor of the said Territory, for the time being. In testimony whereof, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Great Seal of the said Territory to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at Detroit, this twentyeth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty four and of the Independence of the United States of America the fifty ninth - By the Governor: Stevens T. Mason, Secretary of Michigan Territory, and at present Acting Governor.