Almira Perkins
Mrs. Almira Perkins
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Perkins "They moved here in 1855. They ... purchased three lots and erected a house on the present site of the magnificent home of Fred Emerson just north of Jesse Shain's handsome home.... Mr. Perkins had graduated in architecture and building in new York, and after locating in McKinney he followed his vocation here. Many of the early structures of McKinney were monuments of his skill. He erected the old Tucker Hotel on the northeast corner of the square on the present site of the Morrow block. The additions to the old City Hotel were of his building. He built the old jail which afterwards burned. He contracted to build new court house with brick and had commenced work on it when death removed him September 14 1860. A new contract was thus necessitated and a stone building was erected. Daily Courier-Gazette, May 31, 1904 from McKinney Pioneer.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Perkins "They moved here in 1855. They ... purchased three lots and erected a house on the present site of the magnificent home of Fred Emerson just north of Jesse Shain's handsome home.... Mr. Perkins had graduated in architecture and building in new York, and after locating in McKinney he followed his vocation here. Many of the early structures of McKinney were monuments of his skill. He erected the old Tucker Hotel on the northeast corner of the square on the present site of the Morrow block. The additions to the old City Hotel were of his building. He built the old jail which afterwards burned. He contracted to build new court house with brick and had commenced work on it when death removed him September 14 1860. A new contract was thus necessitated and a stone building was erected. Daily Courier-Gazette, May 31, 1904 from McKinney Pioneer.
M'KINNEY PIONEER
One of the pioneers of McKinney and Collin Co. is Mrs. Carty formerly Mrs. Almira Perkins, who lives on the old home-stead three miles south of McKinney on the Dallas road. Her maiden name was Almira Dunn. She was born at the beautiful little city of Lyons on the Erie Canal near the city of Rochester, New York, March 26, 1828, a little over three-quarters of a century ago. Her husband Wm. H. Perkins was born near the same place on January 8, 1815. At the age of 16 Miss Dunn moved to the city of St. Louis with her mother. it was in this city that the marriage of Miss Dunn and Mr. Perkins consummated on December 20, 1846. They lived in St. Louis one year and a half after the marriage when they moved to Tishomingo, IT, where Mr. Perkins did architect and building work on the government school buildings there. Mrs. Perkins here assumed charge of the female department of the Chickasaw Academy. She taught in this school for eight years. She recalls with pleasure the fact that several of her dusky Indian pupils grew up to high standard of citizenship and into public prominence. Among them she mentioned ex-Governors Frank Overton and Culberson Harris, also the Colberts all of whom were prominent in the affairs of the Indian nation. Mrs. Perkins told of the rude state of civilization on her advent into the Territory. The site of the academy which had to be cleared preparatory for the building. Mrs. Perks met Mr. B. B. Brown of McKinney, "Uncle" Bob Brown as he was familiarly known in after years. He had two sisters who taught in the Indian school, hence his frequent visit there. It was largely through the influence of Mr. Brown that caused Mr. and Mrs. Perkins to immigrate to Collin county. They moved here in 1855. They came direct to McKinney and purchased three lots and erected a house on the present site of the magnificent home of Fred Emerson just north of Jesse Shain's handsome home. In those days business houses and residences were scarce and of very humble build. Mr. Perkins had graduated in architecture and building to New York, and after location in McKinney he followed his vocation here. Many of the early structures of McKinney were monuments of his skill. He erected the old Tucker Hotel on the north-east corner of the square on the present site of the Marrow block. The addition to the old City Hotel were of his building. He built the old jail which afterwards burned. He contracted to build new court house with brick and had commenced work on it when death removed him September 14, 1860. A new contract was thus necessitated and a stone building was erected. About 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Perkins moved to their homestead where the subject of our sketch is spending her declining years. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins we mention Frank D. Perkins, deceased, Mrs. Allie Berry, deceased, Wm. L. Perkins, W. B. Perkins and W. H. Perkins. The three latter are all living near the old homestead. A daughter, Mrs. Lilly McKenstry, lives at Honey Grove. Frank D. Perkins, the oldest of the children graduated in the Kentucky Military Institute at Frankfort, and afterwards studied law in which he was proficient. He was noted for his splendid citizenship, honorable, upright, ever true in a relationship and friendship. He was the --- county attorney of Collin County and at one time was a partner of Hon. John Church. He was the father of Dudley Perkins now of South Texas. He died at the early age of 31, May --, 1879.
The subject of our sketch related many interesting incidents to The Democrat reporter. She told of the hardships of her -- and neighbors during the war. Though she was unused to such privations, as is characteristic of her sex, she was equal to the occasion and soon learned to weave and live on "black-eyed peas and corn dodger." She taught a family and neighborhood school in her home and otherwise braved through the trying ordeal of war. She has a sister, Mrs. Browning in St. Louis, who some two years ago visited in New York and Massachusetts. Mrs. Browning wrote to Mrs. Carty some very interesting features of her trip. Among them were her visit to the old home in Cheshire, Berkshire, county, mass., where her great-grand-mother was born and where her grand-mother and mother lived in the eighteenth century. It was at this place that the big cheese was made and presented to President Jefferson by Elder John Leland, which the father of democracy cut up into bits and sent samples to his friends throughout the states.
She has a brother in California,, Geo. W. Dunn, who is a celebrated naturalist. He is now 94 years old, apparently stout and hearty and walks erect. In closing we will say that the subject of our sketch is remarkably well reserved in body and mind, barring a rheumatic affection. her memory is excellent and her intellect strong and active. She talks interesting. She is great bible student--true to the Methodist faith. Her membership is in the McKinney M. E. church, and in all probability she is the oldest member of that flock now living. Thus lives this bright cheerful widow and mother in the old homestead almost at the very close of a well spent life. She stands on the threshold of the great beyond, in full faith, waiting.....
One of the pioneers of McKinney and Collin Co. is Mrs. Carty formerly Mrs. Almira Perkins, who lives on the old home-stead three miles south of McKinney on the Dallas road. Her maiden name was Almira Dunn. She was born at the beautiful little city of Lyons on the Erie Canal near the city of Rochester, New York, March 26, 1828, a little over three-quarters of a century ago. Her husband Wm. H. Perkins was born near the same place on January 8, 1815. At the age of 16 Miss Dunn moved to the city of St. Louis with her mother. it was in this city that the marriage of Miss Dunn and Mr. Perkins consummated on December 20, 1846. They lived in St. Louis one year and a half after the marriage when they moved to Tishomingo, IT, where Mr. Perkins did architect and building work on the government school buildings there. Mrs. Perkins here assumed charge of the female department of the Chickasaw Academy. She taught in this school for eight years. She recalls with pleasure the fact that several of her dusky Indian pupils grew up to high standard of citizenship and into public prominence. Among them she mentioned ex-Governors Frank Overton and Culberson Harris, also the Colberts all of whom were prominent in the affairs of the Indian nation. Mrs. Perkins told of the rude state of civilization on her advent into the Territory. The site of the academy which had to be cleared preparatory for the building. Mrs. Perks met Mr. B. B. Brown of McKinney, "Uncle" Bob Brown as he was familiarly known in after years. He had two sisters who taught in the Indian school, hence his frequent visit there. It was largely through the influence of Mr. Brown that caused Mr. and Mrs. Perkins to immigrate to Collin county. They moved here in 1855. They came direct to McKinney and purchased three lots and erected a house on the present site of the magnificent home of Fred Emerson just north of Jesse Shain's handsome home. In those days business houses and residences were scarce and of very humble build. Mr. Perkins had graduated in architecture and building to New York, and after location in McKinney he followed his vocation here. Many of the early structures of McKinney were monuments of his skill. He erected the old Tucker Hotel on the north-east corner of the square on the present site of the Marrow block. The addition to the old City Hotel were of his building. He built the old jail which afterwards burned. He contracted to build new court house with brick and had commenced work on it when death removed him September 14, 1860. A new contract was thus necessitated and a stone building was erected. About 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Perkins moved to their homestead where the subject of our sketch is spending her declining years. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins we mention Frank D. Perkins, deceased, Mrs. Allie Berry, deceased, Wm. L. Perkins, W. B. Perkins and W. H. Perkins. The three latter are all living near the old homestead. A daughter, Mrs. Lilly McKenstry, lives at Honey Grove. Frank D. Perkins, the oldest of the children graduated in the Kentucky Military Institute at Frankfort, and afterwards studied law in which he was proficient. He was noted for his splendid citizenship, honorable, upright, ever true in a relationship and friendship. He was the --- county attorney of Collin County and at one time was a partner of Hon. John Church. He was the father of Dudley Perkins now of South Texas. He died at the early age of 31, May --, 1879.
The subject of our sketch related many interesting incidents to The Democrat reporter. She told of the hardships of her -- and neighbors during the war. Though she was unused to such privations, as is characteristic of her sex, she was equal to the occasion and soon learned to weave and live on "black-eyed peas and corn dodger." She taught a family and neighborhood school in her home and otherwise braved through the trying ordeal of war. She has a sister, Mrs. Browning in St. Louis, who some two years ago visited in New York and Massachusetts. Mrs. Browning wrote to Mrs. Carty some very interesting features of her trip. Among them were her visit to the old home in Cheshire, Berkshire, county, mass., where her great-grand-mother was born and where her grand-mother and mother lived in the eighteenth century. It was at this place that the big cheese was made and presented to President Jefferson by Elder John Leland, which the father of democracy cut up into bits and sent samples to his friends throughout the states.
She has a brother in California,, Geo. W. Dunn, who is a celebrated naturalist. He is now 94 years old, apparently stout and hearty and walks erect. In closing we will say that the subject of our sketch is remarkably well reserved in body and mind, barring a rheumatic affection. her memory is excellent and her intellect strong and active. She talks interesting. She is great bible student--true to the Methodist faith. Her membership is in the McKinney M. E. church, and in all probability she is the oldest member of that flock now living. Thus lives this bright cheerful widow and mother in the old homestead almost at the very close of a well spent life. She stands on the threshold of the great beyond, in full faith, waiting.....
