Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893. p. 1059.
RICHARD S. PERKINS
proprietor of the Perkins House, of Portland, an estimable man and
influential citizen of the metropolis, is a native of Bristol, England, where he
was born February 4, 1830. His father was one of the prominent wholesale
butchers and cattle dealers of Bristol, an honest and deserving man, highly
respected by all who knew him. R. S. Perkins was educated at the boys' school
near Bristol, after which he entered his father's establishment, studying there
the process of butchering, in which he afterward became very skillful. In 1851
he emigrated to the United States, first locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he
was employed by the large establishment of Stedman Brothers. In the fall he went
to Toledo, where he was employed through the packing season by Howard & Walker.
Passing the winter at Worcester, Ohio, he started in April, 1852, across the
plains for Oregon, driving four yoke of oxen for Robert Perry for his board and
transportation for the journey. They accomplished this long journey without
unusual incident or hardship, and arrived at the Dalles in the November
immediately following. Proceeding thence to the Cascades, having only $16, he
was there employed by one Bush, who kept a boarding house. Late in November he
arrived in Portland, where he worked for a few weeks for Albright A. White,
butchers, when he and A. H. Johnson formed a partnership under the firm name of
Johnson & Perkins, and conducted the Empire Market for about ten years. In 1862
the firm dissolved, Mr. Perkins engaging in the droving business, purchasing
cattle throughout the Willamette valley, and driving them to the mines in Idaho.
He continued in this business for about two years, when he went to Montana, and
was there also engaged in buying and selling. He then returned to
Portland, following a similar occupation there. In 1869, with 4,400 sheep, he
started for California, but selling them on the road, he then went to
Texas, where he picked up a herd of 4,000 cattle, with which he started across
the plains for Oregon. He passed the winter of 1870-'71 in Idaho, where he sold
part of the herd, and in the spring of 1871 drove the balance to Oregon, where
he subsequently sold the rest to Johnson & Spaulding, the enterprise proving
very successful. He then followed farming in Washington county until 1872, when
he bought a herd of 800 cattle, and drove them to Umatilla county, eastern
Oregon, where he purchased eighty acres on Butter creek for a corral; he
then turned his cattle loose, and engaged in the stock business. Increasing his
herd to 5,000, with about 500 horses, he continued in the business until 1886,
when he sold out and returned to Portland.
He then rented the Holton House, which he conducted for five years. In
1890 he built the Perkins House, on the corner of Fifth and Washington streets,
100 x 100 feet. six stories high, which was opened February 4, 1891. It is one
of the most imposing buildings and one of the, best hotels in the city, provided
with all modern improvements and handsomely furnished. It is headquarters for
the stockmen of the Northwest.
Mr. Perkins was married in Polk county, in 1857, to Miss Elizabeth East, a
daughter of John East, who came with his family across the plains in 1843. They
have had eleven children, ten surviving, five sons and five daughters.
He owns much valuable improved property in Portland, besides a quantity of
that which is unimproved, but in a desirable location. He has besides this 800
acres in Washington county, this State, and eighty acres in Columbia county,
having, probably, more land than any other one man in the State.
He is a prominent member of the F. & A.M., of the Ancient Order of Druids,
and is president of the Cattle Men's Pioneer Association.
Transcriber's additional notes:
CENSUS
1860; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland, p 503
Rich' Perkins, 28, ENG, butcher
Elizabeth, 18, KY
Hannah, 1, OR
1870; Washington Co, OR; Hillsboro Pct; Forest Grove PO, p 502
R. S. Perkins, 39, ENG, farmer, $27,000 real estate, $6000 pers. prop.
E. J., 30, KY
Hannah, 12, OR, att. school
Robert, 10, OR, att. school
Richard, 8, OR
John, 6, OR
Elizabeth, 4, OR
Jane, 2, OR
1880; Washington Co, OR; East Butte Pct, p 369
R.S. Perkins, 50, ENG, ENG, ENG, farmer, parents foreign born
E.J., wife, 39, MO, --, --
Robert S, son, 19, OR, ENG, MO, farmhand
Richard, son, 17, OR, ENG, MO, farmhand, att. school
Arthur, son, 16, OR, ENG, MO, att. school
Elizabeth, dau, 13, OR, ENG, MO, att. school
Jane Ann, dau, 11, OR, ENG, MO, att. school
Charlotte, dau, 9, OR, ENG, MO, att. school
Ada May, dau, 6, OR, ENG, MO, att. school
Charles H, son, 5, OR, ENG, MO
Georgie H, son, 3, OR, ENG, MO
1900; Washington Co, OR; Reedville Pct, p 158
Richard S. Perkins, 74, Feb 1826, ENG, ENG, ENG, married, to US 1851, farmer
Jane, dau, 31, Sept 1868, OR, ENG, MO, single
Fred S. Thompson, 23, Feb 1877, KS, OH, IL, single, day laborer
August Anderson, servant, 36, Jan 1864, MN, Sweden, Sweden, single, day laborer
1900; Multnomah Co, Or; Portland pct 7, p 151; 183 19th st.
Elizabeth Perkins, 59, Feb 1841, KY, VA, KY, mar 43 yrs, 11 children-10 living
John O, son, 35, July 1864, OR, ENG, KY, single, plumer (steam & gas fitter)
Atie M, dau, 23, July 1776, OR, ENG, KY, single
Euphima, dau, 19, Jan 1881, OR, ENG, KY, single
Charles Malboeuf, sl, 31, April 1869, CAN, CAN, ME, to US 1886, mar 6 yrs, Claim
Agent RR
Mary Ch, dau, 29, Oct 1870, OR, ENG, KY, mar 6 yrs, 1 child-1 living
Elizabeth E, gr dau, 3, June 1896, OR, ENG, KY
7 boarders, 1 servant
"The Oregonian's Handbook of the Pacific Northwest."
A compilation of material
The Oregonian Publishing Co., 1894; Page 149
THE HOTEL PERKINS
The Hotel Perkins occupies a central position, on the corner of Fifth and
Washington streets. The Washington street electric line and the cable line pass
the door. These lines afford easy means of reaching any part of Portland, and
the cable line connects direct with the Union depot. The Hotel Perkins is now
under the proprietorship of R. S. Perkins. large, well lighted and perfectly
heated and ventilated rooms have established a enviable reputation for the
Perkins with the traveling public. The Perkins receives extensive patronage
from the stockmen, and the names of the leading stockraisers of Oregon,
Washington and Idaho, who visit Portland, are usually found on the hotel
register. A well conducted restaurant and a bar stocked with the finest liquors
are features of this well conducted house.
THE PERKINS RESTAURANT -- The veteran Portland restaurateur, Mr. D. H.
Simmons, whose skill as a caterer is appreciated by epicures, conducts the
Perkins restaurant. He numbers among his patrons many Portland business men who
have dined with him for years. Meals are served at all hours at the Perkins
restaurant, for from 25 cents up.
THE HOLTON HOUSE -- The popular Portland hostelry so long known as the Holton
House is located on the corner of Fourth and Alder streets, and is the point of
departure and arrival of trains on the West Side Division of the Southern
Pacific. The present proprietors of this well conducted house are Messrs. J. R.
Markley, R. R. Hays and M. D. Roche, the latter gentleman being the acting
manager. All of these gentlemen are well known to the traveling public of the
coast, and they have hosts of friends among the large number of people they have
so long helped to entertain.
The Holton House occupies a substantial brick structure and contains 75
rooms, all of which have recently been newly and handsomely furnished. All
modern improvements are found her for the comfort of guests. Traveling men have
always received special attention at the Holton, and the large patronage they
have always accorded the house attests their hearty appreciation of its merits.
During the political campaigns, the Holton is the headquarters for the leading
politicians of all parties. An elegant bar and billiard room, as well as a
perfectly arranged barber shop, are connected with the house for the
accommodation of guests.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
The Morning Oregonian; Dec. 30, 1889; p6
"Another Large Hotel"
Plans and specifications for the new Holton house to be built by Mr. R.
Perkins at the north east corner of Fifth and Alder streets have been prepared
by Mr. Justus Krumbein and ---- for excavation and construction of the
foundation will be opened today.
The plans are for a very handsome building of brick six stories in height
with a tower at the corner. The height from the sidewalk to the top of the
tower will be 1--8 feet. There will be handsome bay windows on both the Alder
and Fifth street sides. The main entrance will be on Alder street. On the
ground floor will be the office in the corner two stores fronting on Alder
street, the dining room, kitchen, barber shop, bar, etc. On the second floor
will be the parlors and rooms in suites and single. There will also be a parlor
in the third story. A number of the suites of rooms will have grates in them
and the building will be heated throughout by steam. There will be a court in
the center and one at the rear so that the halls and rooms will be lighted.
There will be two stairways to the upper story and an elevator and fire escapes
something similar to those on The Portland.
The building will be constructed throughout in the most substantial manner
and furnished with all modern improvements and in point of beauty and elegance,
will compare favorably with the other fine building which are to be erected in
that vicinity before long. At the base of the tower on the Alder street front
will be the figure of a full grown steer, which it is Mr. Perkins fancy to have
there to show that he made the money which built the hotel out of the cattle
business. He is probably the first stockman in the Northwest to erect a statue
in honor of the steers by which he made his fortune.
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.