Washington State Death Records

First Name: John H
Last Name: Perkins
Date Of Death: 27 Apr 1924
Age: 59
Gender: Male
Father Name: G B Perkins
Death Place: Ritzville, Adams Co., Washington
Spouse Name: Minnie F Perkins
__________________________

The Journal Times May 1, 1924 (Ritzville)

J. H. Perkins Dies Sunday

J. H. Perkins, county superintendent of schools, passed away at his home in this city last Sunday afternoon about three o'clock. He had been confined to his home for over three weeks but the week preceding his death he had improved so steadily that he planned to get back to his office this week. Sunday morning he was able to get up and dress and eat breakfast with Mrs. Perkins. Shortly after eating he complained of abdominal pains. Dr. Burroughs was called and did all he could to relieve his distress. In the afternoon while sitting on the edge of the bed he collapsed and the end came in a few minutes.

Heart trouble and kidney trouble were the cause of his breakdown. Last summer he was seriously ill for many weeks. A blood clot in the artery serving one leg made necessary the amputation of the limb. This was done in the Deaconess hospital, Spokane, last August. Owing to his weak heart only a local anesthetic could be administered and he was conscious during the operation through suffering no pain. Grave doubts were entertained then of his recovery, but he rallied and was able to come home and begin his official duties as county superintendent in September. By means of crutches and later by the use of an artificial limb and a cane he was able to get about. He was regularly in his office and put in as much time as he could visiting the schools of the county.

The strain, however, proved too great and early in April he had to give up and remain at home, hoping that by a rest and treatment he could recuperate his strength. His will never gave way and he was determined to keep going, until at last the cord of life snapped and his spirit was at rest.

News of his death spread quickly and called forth countless expressions of appreciations and sympathy. He was one of the most widely known men in the county and well known, too, all over the state, because of the prominent positions he had occupied in public life.

His funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the M. E. church, conducted by Rev. H. S. Randall and was largely attended. Friends from far and near, associates in affairs, former pupils now grown and those still in school, school teachers, assembled to pay the final tribute of respect. Beautiful flowers graced the altar,gifts of individuals and of organizations.

Rev. Randall gave a brief address of the test "Be ye also ready," commending the life and example of the deceased. A quartet, composed of Mmes. Walter Stanser, V. A. Chargois, and Messrs. D. J. Behringer and C. A. Sprague, accompanied by Mrs. N. C. Donaldson, sang "Nearer My God To Thee" and "Abide with Me." Mrs. Staser sang the solo, "A City Four Square." The pallbearers were R. B. Shepley, Dr. F. R. Burroughs, Walter Staser, L. G. Weston, J. R. Harris, W. H. Martin.

A fine tribute to the work of Mr. Perkins as an educator was paid by the children of the Ritzville public schools, who under the direction of the teachers formed a double line reaching from the church to the railroad crossing, and through this lane of young people passed the funeral procession.

The remains were taken to Spokane Tuesday evening and laid to rest at Riverside cemetery, Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. B. E. Coontz of Spokane read the burial service.

John Henry Perkins, the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Perkins, was born February 13, 1865, near Liberty, Missouri. He was educated in the schools of his native state and later graduated from Valpraiso University, Valpraiso, Indiana. He was instructor in a business college at Liberty for a number of years. On August 5, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie F. Mosby, near Kansas City, Mo. They resided in Missouri until 1896, when the family moved to Spokane, Washington.

Mr. Perkins had preceded the family to this state, being employed for a time at Colfax. Later he worked at the Centennial Mills in Spokane and for a brief time worked as bookkeeper in Cranbrook, B.C.

In 1898 he became a principal of the schools at Davenport where he served for a number of years. In 1903 he came to Ritzville and assumed the position of superintendent of schools. There was but one building and during his term an addition to the Central School was built and the Lincoln School erected. Mr. Perkins served as county superintendent from 1907 to 1911. Then he became city superintendent at Ritzville again.

After retiring from this position he was appointed commissioner of agriculture for the State of Washington by Governor Lister when that office was first created. He served in this capacity in 1913-14. He was a member of the state legislature from Adams county in the 1915 session. He was county assessor 1917-1921. Retiring from this office, he taught a year in the country and then was principal of the schools at Paha. He was elected county superintendent in 1922 and began his term last September.

Mr. Perkins was always interested in agriculture. He had a farm at the edge of town and for a number of years maintained a fine herd of dairy cows. He was loyal to the interests of the farm and of farmers and devoted to the improvement of farm and livestock. He was a staunch member of the Democratic party and active in its councils.

He leaves to mourn his death his widow, Mrs. J. H. Perkins, and three children, Mrs. Laura Simpson of Hillyard, Frank A. of Everett, and Fred A. of Kansas City. He is survived also by his stepmother, Mrs. G. B. Perkins, of Kansas City; two brothers, Ben of Missouri, and Jim of Hailey, Idaho; a half-brother, Arthur and two half-sisters, Florence and Doll of Missouri. Mr. Perkins was a life-long member of the Christian church, and was a member of the Masonic order, retaining his membership at Colfax.

During the hours of the funeral the stores and offices were closed.

Washington State Death Records

First Name: John H
Last Name: Perkins
Date Of Death: 27 Apr 1924
Age: 59
Gender: Male
Father Name: G B Perkins
Death Place: Ritzville, Adams Co., Washington
Spouse Name: Minnie F Perkins
__________________________

The Journal Times May 1, 1924 (Ritzville)

J. H. Perkins Dies Sunday

J. H. Perkins, county superintendent of schools, passed away at his home in this city last Sunday afternoon about three o'clock. He had been confined to his home for over three weeks but the week preceding his death he had improved so steadily that he planned to get back to his office this week. Sunday morning he was able to get up and dress and eat breakfast with Mrs. Perkins. Shortly after eating he complained of abdominal pains. Dr. Burroughs was called and did all he could to relieve his distress. In the afternoon while sitting on the edge of the bed he collapsed and the end came in a few minutes.

Heart trouble and kidney trouble were the cause of his breakdown. Last summer he was seriously ill for many weeks. A blood clot in the artery serving one leg made necessary the amputation of the limb. This was done in the Deaconess hospital, Spokane, last August. Owing to his weak heart only a local anesthetic could be administered and he was conscious during the operation through suffering no pain. Grave doubts were entertained then of his recovery, but he rallied and was able to come home and begin his official duties as county superintendent in September. By means of crutches and later by the use of an artificial limb and a cane he was able to get about. He was regularly in his office and put in as much time as he could visiting the schools of the county.

The strain, however, proved too great and early in April he had to give up and remain at home, hoping that by a rest and treatment he could recuperate his strength. His will never gave way and he was determined to keep going, until at last the cord of life snapped and his spirit was at rest.

News of his death spread quickly and called forth countless expressions of appreciations and sympathy. He was one of the most widely known men in the county and well known, too, all over the state, because of the prominent positions he had occupied in public life.

His funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the M. E. church, conducted by Rev. H. S. Randall and was largely attended. Friends from far and near, associates in affairs, former pupils now grown and those still in school, school teachers, assembled to pay the final tribute of respect. Beautiful flowers graced the altar,gifts of individuals and of organizations.

Rev. Randall gave a brief address of the test "Be ye also ready," commending the life and example of the deceased. A quartet, composed of Mmes. Walter Stanser, V. A. Chargois, and Messrs. D. J. Behringer and C. A. Sprague, accompanied by Mrs. N. C. Donaldson, sang "Nearer My God To Thee" and "Abide with Me." Mrs. Staser sang the solo, "A City Four Square." The pallbearers were R. B. Shepley, Dr. F. R. Burroughs, Walter Staser, L. G. Weston, J. R. Harris, W. H. Martin.

A fine tribute to the work of Mr. Perkins as an educator was paid by the children of the Ritzville public schools, who under the direction of the teachers formed a double line reaching from the church to the railroad crossing, and through this lane of young people passed the funeral procession.

The remains were taken to Spokane Tuesday evening and laid to rest at Riverside cemetery, Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. B. E. Coontz of Spokane read the burial service.

John Henry Perkins, the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Perkins, was born February 13, 1865, near Liberty, Missouri. He was educated in the schools of his native state and later graduated from Valpraiso University, Valpraiso, Indiana. He was instructor in a business college at Liberty for a number of years. On August 5, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie F. Mosby, near Kansas City, Mo. They resided in Missouri until 1896, when the family moved to Spokane, Washington.

Mr. Perkins had preceded the family to this state, being employed for a time at Colfax. Later he worked at the Centennial Mills in Spokane and for a brief time worked as bookkeeper in Cranbrook, B.C.

In 1898 he became a principal of the schools at Davenport where he served for a number of years. In 1903 he came to Ritzville and assumed the position of superintendent of schools. There was but one building and during his term an addition to the Central School was built and the Lincoln School erected. Mr. Perkins served as county superintendent from 1907 to 1911. Then he became city superintendent at Ritzville again.

After retiring from this position he was appointed commissioner of agriculture for the State of Washington by Governor Lister when that office was first created. He served in this capacity in 1913-14. He was a member of the state legislature from Adams county in the 1915 session. He was county assessor 1917-1921. Retiring from this office, he taught a year in the country and then was principal of the schools at Paha. He was elected county superintendent in 1922 and began his term last September.

Mr. Perkins was always interested in agriculture. He had a farm at the edge of town and for a number of years maintained a fine herd of dairy cows. He was loyal to the interests of the farm and of farmers and devoted to the improvement of farm and livestock. He was a staunch member of the Democratic party and active in its councils.

He leaves to mourn his death his widow, Mrs. J. H. Perkins, and three children, Mrs. Laura Simpson of Hillyard, Frank A. of Everett, and Fred A. of Kansas City. He is survived also by his stepmother, Mrs. G. B. Perkins, of Kansas City; two brothers, Ben of Missouri, and Jim of Hailey, Idaho; a half-brother, Arthur and two half-sisters, Florence and Doll of Missouri. Mr. Perkins was a life-long member of the Christian church, and was a member of the Masonic order, retaining his membership at Colfax.

During the hours of the funeral the stores and offices were closed.