Benjamin Robert Perkins b. 1832 London, Eng. to St. Joseph Co., IN
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SOURCE: History of St. Joseph Co., Indiana p. 938
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Benjamin Robert Perkins was born in London, Eng., Dec. 25,1832, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wotharn) Perkins, the former a wholesale tin and Japan-ware manufacturer during his life-time, employing some 600 hands at times; he is now dead, but his sons, James W. Perkins and Richard W. Perkins, still carry on the business, under the firm name of " B. Perkins & Sons." The subject of this sketch obtained his education in what was called " the city of London school," where he finished the prescribed course; afterward he was for two years a member of the literary and scientific institution on Aldersgate street, London, E. C.; at 17 he was "articled "to Wm. Smith, gas engineer of Snow Hill, London, to learn the business; completed his articles at 21, and at the suggestion of his father, visited this country, expecting to remain only one year, but it resulted in his becoming a citizen of this Republic. On his first arrival he settled in New York city, where ho was employed by Samuel Downs as a gas-meter manufacturer, afterward by the American Meter Company of Philadelphia; was subsequently sent out as their foreman to manage their branch works in Cincinnati, where he remained three years. During this time, in 1856, he married Mary M. Westwood, daughter of John C. Westwood, then engineer of the Cincinnati Gas Company; during this year he was assistant inspector for that company. In 1857 he returned on a visit to London, which was extended" to a ten-years' residence, during which, until 1861, he assisted his father in his business; he then opened an establishment on his own account, in gas engineering, fitting up a large portion of the famous Crystal Palace at Kensington, which had been iised in the Great Exposition of 1862; in company with K. S. Parry, he assisted in fitting up that celebrated vessel, the " Great Eastern," with furniture, stores, etc., and sailed on the same when she made her trial trip. He was afterward engaged in the shipyard of his wife's uncle; at this place were built the largest class of iron-clad vessels, among them the " Resistance " and " Warrior."
In 1866 he returned to the United States and took a position with the Springfield, IL Gas Company, which he resigned two years afterward and accepted a similar position at Peoria, IL.; in 1870 he left the latter place and until 1875 superintended the gas works at Franklin and Columbus, Ind.; he then came to South Bend, where he has been connected with the gas works to the present time; he is now superintendent.
Mr. Perkins has now a family of 6 children.
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I am not related to this family and I have NO further information to provide. The source for this information is listed above.
Denise Perkins Ready
(Transcriber)