Banker, Capitalist, and Philanthropist
He was a son of General Simon Perkins, one of the earliest and most active pioneers of Ohio. After the usual course in the Warren schools, he attended the Burton Academy, and from thence went to Marietta College, where he graduated at the age of twenty. He then returned to Warren and entered his father's extensive land office, where he remained until the death of General Perkins, in 1844. During several succeeding years he was engaged in the settlement of his father's large estate, and when that task was accomplished, to the satisfaction of all concerned, he removed to Cleveland in 1852, where the remainder of his life was spent. While, by his connection with various banks, and the large investments of capital he made therein, he might be called a banker by profession, his time and means were of use in very many other directions; while the full measure of good flowing from the endless fount of his generosity can never be known until the history of many a public institution is written, and the numerous measures of reform he set on foot have reached their far-off limit of usefulness. No words can be borrowed that will fittingly tell of the good he accomplished in a public and private way. To borrow the language of one who had watched his career, with some appreciation of what it meant: " Wealth came to him by inheritance, but he made a noble use of it. I need mention no details in proof of this assertion. It is known to all the charities of Cleveland; it is known, with grateful thanks, by the weary workers in fields of benevolence and reform, who have felt his encouragement and found the succor of his purse in times when all other help seemed gone; it is known to hundreds of men and women who have been blessed out of his abundance. The Church, the temperance cause, the care of homeless children, the reform of the fallen, the education of the masses - these were all very near to his heart. His life has been as blameless as that of Sir Galahad, and as full of deeds of noble courtesy." Mr. Perkins's most prominent public work was through his connection with the Ohio Board of State Charities. His official associates appreciated his value to the causes they all held so dear, and in a fitting memorial in his honor declared that: " Traces of his long and valuable service are seen in the annual reports of the board; and the plans and estimates for jails and infirmaries therein published, and which we regard as the best in the world, are mainly his work, and were gotten up entirely at his expense." Personally he was one of the kindest and most approachable men that ever lived. He had a belief in humanity. Tolerant in questions of creed; patient with those about him; pure and high-minded in all things; with no coarse strain anywhere in his nature; just before all else; with a keen sense of humor, and a wit that could hit the center mark and yet not hurt; loving his family and his home; doing ten good deeds in secret where one saw the light-no wonder that he was loved and admired as few are, and that in his death all the people felt that they had lost a friend. Mr. Perkins was a great sufferer during the last twelve years of his life, and it was ever a marvel to those who knew him well, that a frame so feeble, and at times so full of pain, could accomplish so much. In the hope of gaining strength and under medical advice, set sail for Europe on July 4th. No good results followed, and he was advised to return home and rest. He came back to America, and proceeded to Saratoga Springs. No immediate danger was apprehended by his physicians or himself, but he grew feebler from day to day, and on Wednesday, August 26th, 1885, he calmly and peacefully sunk into the eternal sleep. His remains were laid in Lake View, that he had done so much to create and adorn. Mr. Perkins was married on October 25th, 1841, to Miss Martha E. Steele, of Marietta, Ohio, who passed before him into rest on December 2oth, 1880. Of the six children born to this happy union, three yet remain: Douglas, Joseph, and L. Lewis Perkins, of Cleveland.
New-York Times - New York, NY
Aug. 27, 1885
A telegram has just reached this city, that Joseph Perkins, the millionaire philanthropist, famous throughout the state for his wife charities, died to-night at Saratoga, NY. Mr. Perkins was President of the National Bank of Commerce. It has had in its history three heavy losses from peculating officials, and those occurrences, while not impairing the credit of the bank, worried the good man greatly. He was sensitive and strict in his morals, and when his son formed an unfortunate association with a depraved woman, he was so prostrated that he went to Europe for relaxation. He returned Aug. 15. On the return voyage the steamer lurched in a heavy sea, and Mr. Perkins was thrown down and knocked senseless. He never recovered from the shock, and the trip to Saratoga was taken in the hope that he might be benefited; but he sank rapidly. He was born in Warren, Ohio, where his father, Gen. Simon Perkins, was one of the most prominent and popular residents. Joseph Perkins removed to Cleveland, OH, and 32 years ago was made President of what is now the National Bank of Commerce. He was reputed to be worth over $3,000,000, and he has given away in public charities more then $1,000,000. He built the magnificent Protestant Orphan Asylum on St. Clair-street, and was one of the patrons of the Industrial Home and numerous other institutions in the State and county. He was a member of the State Board of Charities.
He was a son of General Simon Perkins, one of the earliest and most active pioneers of Ohio. After the usual course in the Warren schools, he attended the Burton Academy, and from thence went to Marietta College, where he graduated at the age of twenty. He then returned to Warren and entered his father's extensive land office, where he remained until the death of General Perkins, in 1844. During several succeeding years he was engaged in the settlement of his father's large estate, and when that task was accomplished, to the satisfaction of all concerned, he removed to Cleveland in 1852, where the remainder of his life was spent. While, by his connection with various banks, and the large investments of capital he made therein, he might be called a banker by profession, his time and means were of use in very many other directions; while the full measure of good flowing from the endless fount of his generosity can never be known until the history of many a public institution is written, and the numerous measures of reform he set on foot have reached their far-off limit of usefulness. No words can be borrowed that will fittingly tell of the good he accomplished in a public and private way. To borrow the language of one who had watched his career, with some appreciation of what it meant: " Wealth came to him by inheritance, but he made a noble use of it. I need mention no details in proof of this assertion. It is known to all the charities of Cleveland; it is known, with grateful thanks, by the weary workers in fields of benevolence and reform, who have felt his encouragement and found the succor of his purse in times when all other help seemed gone; it is known to hundreds of men and women who have been blessed out of his abundance. The Church, the temperance cause, the care of homeless children, the reform of the fallen, the education of the masses - these were all very near to his heart. His life has been as blameless as that of Sir Galahad, and as full of deeds of noble courtesy." Mr. Perkins's most prominent public work was through his connection with the Ohio Board of State Charities. His official associates appreciated his value to the causes they all held so dear, and in a fitting memorial in his honor declared that: " Traces of his long and valuable service are seen in the annual reports of the board; and the plans and estimates for jails and infirmaries therein published, and which we regard as the best in the world, are mainly his work, and were gotten up entirely at his expense." Personally he was one of the kindest and most approachable men that ever lived. He had a belief in humanity. Tolerant in questions of creed; patient with those about him; pure and high-minded in all things; with no coarse strain anywhere in his nature; just before all else; with a keen sense of humor, and a wit that could hit the center mark and yet not hurt; loving his family and his home; doing ten good deeds in secret where one saw the light-no wonder that he was loved and admired as few are, and that in his death all the people felt that they had lost a friend. Mr. Perkins was a great sufferer during the last twelve years of his life, and it was ever a marvel to those who knew him well, that a frame so feeble, and at times so full of pain, could accomplish so much. In the hope of gaining strength and under medical advice, set sail for Europe on July 4th. No good results followed, and he was advised to return home and rest. He came back to America, and proceeded to Saratoga Springs. No immediate danger was apprehended by his physicians or himself, but he grew feebler from day to day, and on Wednesday, August 26th, 1885, he calmly and peacefully sunk into the eternal sleep. His remains were laid in Lake View, that he had done so much to create and adorn. Mr. Perkins was married on October 25th, 1841, to Miss Martha E. Steele, of Marietta, Ohio, who passed before him into rest on December 2oth, 1880. Of the six children born to this happy union, three yet remain: Douglas, Joseph, and L. Lewis Perkins, of Cleveland.
New-York Times - New York, NY
Aug. 27, 1885
A telegram has just reached this city, that Joseph Perkins, the millionaire philanthropist, famous throughout the state for his wife charities, died to-night at Saratoga, NY. Mr. Perkins was President of the National Bank of Commerce. It has had in its history three heavy losses from peculating officials, and those occurrences, while not impairing the credit of the bank, worried the good man greatly. He was sensitive and strict in his morals, and when his son formed an unfortunate association with a depraved woman, he was so prostrated that he went to Europe for relaxation. He returned Aug. 15. On the return voyage the steamer lurched in a heavy sea, and Mr. Perkins was thrown down and knocked senseless. He never recovered from the shock, and the trip to Saratoga was taken in the hope that he might be benefited; but he sank rapidly. He was born in Warren, Ohio, where his father, Gen. Simon Perkins, was one of the most prominent and popular residents. Joseph Perkins removed to Cleveland, OH, and 32 years ago was made President of what is now the National Bank of Commerce. He was reputed to be worth over $3,000,000, and he has given away in public charities more then $1,000,000. He built the magnificent Protestant Orphan Asylum on St. Clair-street, and was one of the patrons of the Industrial Home and numerous other institutions in the State and county. He was a member of the State Board of Charities.
Banker, Capitalist, and Philanthropist
He was a son of General Simon Perkins, one of the earliest and most active pioneers of Ohio. After the usual course in the Warren schools, he attended the Burton Academy, and from thence went to Marietta College, where he graduated at the age of twenty. He then returned to Warren and entered his father's extensive land office, where he remained until the death of General Perkins, in 1844. During several succeeding years he was engaged in the settlement of his father's large estate, and when that task was accomplished, to the satisfaction of all concerned, he removed to Cleveland in 1852, where the remainder of his life was spent. While, by his connection with various banks, and the large investments of capital he made therein, he might be called a banker by profession, his time and means were of use in very many other directions; while the full measure of good flowing from the endless fount of his generosity can never be known until the history of many a public institution is written, and the numerous measures of reform he set on foot have reached their far-off limit of usefulness. No words can be borrowed that will fittingly tell of the good he accomplished in a public and private way. To borrow the language of one who had watched his career, with some appreciation of what it meant: " Wealth came to him by inheritance, but he made a noble use of it. I need mention no details in proof of this assertion. It is known to all the charities of Cleveland; it is known, with grateful thanks, by the weary workers in fields of benevolence and reform, who have felt his encouragement and found the succor of his purse in times when all other help seemed gone; it is known to hundreds of men and women who have been blessed out of his abundance. The Church, the temperance cause, the care of homeless children, the reform of the fallen, the education of the masses - these were all very near to his heart. His life has been as blameless as that of Sir Galahad, and as full of deeds of noble courtesy." Mr. Perkins's most prominent public work was through his connection with the Ohio Board of State Charities. His official associates appreciated his value to the causes they all held so dear, and in a fitting memorial in his honor declared that: " Traces of his long and valuable service are seen in the annual reports of the board; and the plans and estimates for jails and infirmaries therein published, and which we regard as the best in the world, are mainly his work, and were gotten up entirely at his expense." Personally he was one of the kindest and most approachable men that ever lived. He had a belief in humanity. Tolerant in questions of creed; patient with those about him; pure and high-minded in all things; with no coarse strain anywhere in his nature; just before all else; with a keen sense of humor, and a wit that could hit the center mark and yet not hurt; loving his family and his home; doing ten good deeds in secret where one saw the light-no wonder that he was loved and admired as few are, and that in his death all the people felt that they had lost a friend. Mr. Perkins was a great sufferer during the last twelve years of his life, and it was ever a marvel to those who knew him well, that a frame so feeble, and at times so full of pain, could accomplish so much. In the hope of gaining strength and under medical advice, set sail for Europe on July 4th. No good results followed, and he was advised to return home and rest. He came back to America, and proceeded to Saratoga Springs. No immediate danger was apprehended by his physicians or himself, but he grew feebler from day to day, and on Wednesday, August 26th, 1885, he calmly and peacefully sunk into the eternal sleep. His remains were laid in Lake View, that he had done so much to create and adorn. Mr. Perkins was married on October 25th, 1841, to Miss Martha E. Steele, of Marietta, Ohio, who passed before him into rest on December 2oth, 1880. Of the six children born to this happy union, three yet remain: Douglas, Joseph, and L. Lewis Perkins, of Cleveland.
New-York Times - New York, NY
Aug. 27, 1885
A telegram has just reached this city, that Joseph Perkins, the millionaire philanthropist, famous throughout the state for his wife charities, died to-night at Saratoga, NY. Mr. Perkins was President of the National Bank of Commerce. It has had in its history three heavy losses from peculating officials, and those occurrences, while not impairing the credit of the bank, worried the good man greatly. He was sensitive and strict in his morals, and when his son formed an unfortunate association with a depraved woman, he was so prostrated that he went to Europe for relaxation. He returned Aug. 15. On the return voyage the steamer lurched in a heavy sea, and Mr. Perkins was thrown down and knocked senseless. He never recovered from the shock, and the trip to Saratoga was taken in the hope that he might be benefited; but he sank rapidly. He was born in Warren, Ohio, where his father, Gen. Simon Perkins, was one of the most prominent and popular residents. Joseph Perkins removed to Cleveland, OH, and 32 years ago was made President of what is now the National Bank of Commerce. He was reputed to be worth over $3,000,000, and he has given away in public charities more then $1,000,000. He built the magnificent Protestant Orphan Asylum on St. Clair-street, and was one of the patrons of the Industrial Home and numerous other institutions in the State and county. He was a member of the State Board of Charities.
He was a son of General Simon Perkins, one of the earliest and most active pioneers of Ohio. After the usual course in the Warren schools, he attended the Burton Academy, and from thence went to Marietta College, where he graduated at the age of twenty. He then returned to Warren and entered his father's extensive land office, where he remained until the death of General Perkins, in 1844. During several succeeding years he was engaged in the settlement of his father's large estate, and when that task was accomplished, to the satisfaction of all concerned, he removed to Cleveland in 1852, where the remainder of his life was spent. While, by his connection with various banks, and the large investments of capital he made therein, he might be called a banker by profession, his time and means were of use in very many other directions; while the full measure of good flowing from the endless fount of his generosity can never be known until the history of many a public institution is written, and the numerous measures of reform he set on foot have reached their far-off limit of usefulness. No words can be borrowed that will fittingly tell of the good he accomplished in a public and private way. To borrow the language of one who had watched his career, with some appreciation of what it meant: " Wealth came to him by inheritance, but he made a noble use of it. I need mention no details in proof of this assertion. It is known to all the charities of Cleveland; it is known, with grateful thanks, by the weary workers in fields of benevolence and reform, who have felt his encouragement and found the succor of his purse in times when all other help seemed gone; it is known to hundreds of men and women who have been blessed out of his abundance. The Church, the temperance cause, the care of homeless children, the reform of the fallen, the education of the masses - these were all very near to his heart. His life has been as blameless as that of Sir Galahad, and as full of deeds of noble courtesy." Mr. Perkins's most prominent public work was through his connection with the Ohio Board of State Charities. His official associates appreciated his value to the causes they all held so dear, and in a fitting memorial in his honor declared that: " Traces of his long and valuable service are seen in the annual reports of the board; and the plans and estimates for jails and infirmaries therein published, and which we regard as the best in the world, are mainly his work, and were gotten up entirely at his expense." Personally he was one of the kindest and most approachable men that ever lived. He had a belief in humanity. Tolerant in questions of creed; patient with those about him; pure and high-minded in all things; with no coarse strain anywhere in his nature; just before all else; with a keen sense of humor, and a wit that could hit the center mark and yet not hurt; loving his family and his home; doing ten good deeds in secret where one saw the light-no wonder that he was loved and admired as few are, and that in his death all the people felt that they had lost a friend. Mr. Perkins was a great sufferer during the last twelve years of his life, and it was ever a marvel to those who knew him well, that a frame so feeble, and at times so full of pain, could accomplish so much. In the hope of gaining strength and under medical advice, set sail for Europe on July 4th. No good results followed, and he was advised to return home and rest. He came back to America, and proceeded to Saratoga Springs. No immediate danger was apprehended by his physicians or himself, but he grew feebler from day to day, and on Wednesday, August 26th, 1885, he calmly and peacefully sunk into the eternal sleep. His remains were laid in Lake View, that he had done so much to create and adorn. Mr. Perkins was married on October 25th, 1841, to Miss Martha E. Steele, of Marietta, Ohio, who passed before him into rest on December 2oth, 1880. Of the six children born to this happy union, three yet remain: Douglas, Joseph, and L. Lewis Perkins, of Cleveland.
New-York Times - New York, NY
Aug. 27, 1885
A telegram has just reached this city, that Joseph Perkins, the millionaire philanthropist, famous throughout the state for his wife charities, died to-night at Saratoga, NY. Mr. Perkins was President of the National Bank of Commerce. It has had in its history three heavy losses from peculating officials, and those occurrences, while not impairing the credit of the bank, worried the good man greatly. He was sensitive and strict in his morals, and when his son formed an unfortunate association with a depraved woman, he was so prostrated that he went to Europe for relaxation. He returned Aug. 15. On the return voyage the steamer lurched in a heavy sea, and Mr. Perkins was thrown down and knocked senseless. He never recovered from the shock, and the trip to Saratoga was taken in the hope that he might be benefited; but he sank rapidly. He was born in Warren, Ohio, where his father, Gen. Simon Perkins, was one of the most prominent and popular residents. Joseph Perkins removed to Cleveland, OH, and 32 years ago was made President of what is now the National Bank of Commerce. He was reputed to be worth over $3,000,000, and he has given away in public charities more then $1,000,000. He built the magnificent Protestant Orphan Asylum on St. Clair-street, and was one of the patrons of the Industrial Home and numerous other institutions in the State and county. He was a member of the State Board of Charities.
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