Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 2. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 767. RICHARD S. PERKINS To those familiar with the history of the northwest the name of Richard S. Perkins calls to mind extensive like-stock interests which he conducted and also the fact that he was the builder of the Perkins Hotel of Portland. His business undertakings on the whole were of a character that contributed to the upbuilding and welfare of this section of the country, with the interests of which he became identified in 1852, when Portland was a town of only about one thousand inhabitants. For seventy-nine years he trod life's pathway and then passed on to that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns. A native of Bristol, England, he was born August 23, 1823, and in 1851, when twenty-eight years of age, crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first in Cleveland, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Steadman Brothers. In the fall of that year he went to Toledo, Ohio, and through the packing season was employed by the firm of Howard & Walker. The theme of general interest at that time throughout the east and the Mississippi valley was the opportunities of the "golden west." While it was known that all who sought fortunes in the mines had not been successful, those who went to the coast recognized the fact that there were many other natural resources that could be utilized in legitimate business ventures for the attainment of success, and the favorable reports which Mr. Perkins heard determined him to establish his home in Oregon. He, therefore, crossed the plains with Robert Perry, driving four yoke of oxen, and in November, 1852, reached The Dalles. From that point he proceeded to the Cascades and toward the latter end of the month arrived in Portland. For a half century thereafter Richard S. Perkins was a resident of the northwest and contributed his full share toward its upbuilding and progress. His initial effort here was made as an employe of Albright & White, butchers of Portland, with whom he remained for a few weeks, when he entered into partnership with A. H. Johnson and established a butchering business on the site of the First National Bank building, under the firm name of Johnson & Perkins. From the beginning the new enterprise prospered and was successfully conducted for ten years. Mr. Perkins then became a drover, buying cattle throughout the Willamette valley and driving them across the plains to Idaho. la 1864 he went to Montana and soon afterward returned to Portland. In 1869 he started for California with forty-four hundred sheep but sold them on the road, and after making the sale, went to Texas, where he secured four thousand cattle which he brought to Oregon. He herded his cattle upon the plains of Idaho, selling a part of the number during the next two years, and in the spring of 1871 he returned to Oregon with the number that remained. Securing a farm in Washington county, he there cultivated his fields and cared for his stock until 1872, in which year he bought a herd of eight hundred cattle, which he took to Umatilla county. His Beaverton farm was a most valuable one. He continuously developed his stock-raising business, increasing his herd of cattle to five thousand, and also secured about five hundred horses. He was one of the most extensive stock-raisers and dealers on the Pacific coast and continued in the business until 1886, when he sold it at a handsome profit and returned to Portland. On again locating in this city Mr. Perkins became connected with hotel interests, renting and conducting the Holton House for five years. In 1890 he began the erection of a hotel on the lot at the northeast corner of Fifth and Washington streets, the building being one hundred by one thousand feet. It is said that at that time he refused an offer of two hundred thousand dollars for the land. The hotel, a six-story structure, was opened for business on the 4th of February, 1891, and in an appropriate location on the top floor he placed a golden steer, indicative of the fact that he had made his money in the cattle business. When the widespread financial disaster of 1893-4 caught many prominent and hitherto successful business men throughout the country, Mr. Perkins became involved in financial difficulties and was compelled to part with his hotel in 1896. At that time he and his family took up their residence on Flanders street. It was in 1857 that Mr. Perkins was married to Miss Elizabeth East, a daughter of John N. and Elizabeth East, of Polk county. Mrs. Perkins was born in Kentucky, where her father was engaged in the surveying business until 1841, when, with his family, he crossed the plains with an ox team. They were the second party to make the trip over the plains, and on reaching this district settled near Oregon City. They were about eight months on the trip and after securing a claim in Polk county, Mr. East there built a log house and began the development of a farm, which continued to be his home throughout his remaining days. He was born in Virginia and died in 1876 at the age of sixty- two years. He held membership in the Presbyterian church and was a strong democrat in his political views. He and his family experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life because of their removal from districts where the comforts and advantages of an older civilization could be secured. Mrs. East was born in Kentucky and died in 1887, when seventy-three years of age. Their daughter, Mrs. Perkins, is a member of the Pioneer Society and is a most highly esteemed lady, honored by all who know her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perkins were born eleven children : Hannah N.. the wife of Clarence Brown, of Portland ; Robert Sitton ; Richard Andrew ; John Arthur, deceased ; Charles Henry; George H.; Jane; Charlotte, the wife of C. A. Malbouf; May; Daisy, the wife of Irving H. Pratt, of Seattle; and Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Albert Mendenhal. Mr. Perkins was prominent in the Masonic fraternity with which he held membership for over half a century. A contemporary writer has said of him : "He was a man of rugged personality, and during his long business career exerted that personal courage and ability of enduring fatigue, honesty and love of adventure which have done so much to build up the Pacific northwest." His experiences as he traveled over the plains with herds of cattle would often constitute a story more thrilling than any romantic tale. He died April 29, 1902, and thus was closed a life record that had distinct value for the northwest. He recognized business opportunities and operated on an extensive scale in harmony with the spirit that has ever been dominant in the upbuilding of this section of the country. Much of his life covered that picturesque period ere the division of the land into small farms, when men, owning immense tracts of land, herded hundreds and hundreds of cattle on the plains and hillsides. They were forerunners of the present day civilization and progress and the work which they did should never be forgotten. ******************* 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.