Simon Perkins was born as the third generation of the Simon Perkins' in 1815 at Warren, Ohio. He Married Grace Todd, the sister of David Todd, a good friend, in 1835. Two years later he moved to Akron, Ohio and into a large stone mansion built for him and his bride by his father. That house and the grounds, known as the Perkins Mansion is open as a museum to the public today. Simon established himself in the sheep and cattle-breeding business on a farm south of his home on Copley Hill. As a supplement to this business he built a not too successful woolen mill on the canal in Akron. In 1843 he entered into a sheep raising partnership with John Brown the abolitionist of Harper's Ferry Fame. In the wool deal gone bad, Brown's actions was said to have cost Perkins $40,000. The partnership was dissolved and John Brown moved to the Adirondacks to brood over slavery. Simon Perkins also entered the railroad business. He organized a company and built a connecting rail from Hudson, Ohio to Akron and then on to Columbus. The first train ran on July 4, 1852. Unfortunately, like the other business ventures of his, this too got into financial difficulties and, in 1866, it was sold. Simon remained as superintendent for 6 years after which he retired. His large fortune was almost gone. Simon served in both houses of the Ohio Legislature. He was instrumental in building Glendale Cemetery and served 41 years as president of the cemetery assoc. During the Civil War, he rose to Colonel and was at one time the Assistant Quartermaster General in the Army of the Cumberland. Simon and Grace had 13 children. He died in Akron in 1887.

BIO BY: Marritt Woodard.
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FROM THE AKRON CITY DIRECTORIES:

1859
Simon Perkins, president - C.Z.& C.RR Co., office - Depot, home - west of the city.

1868
Col. Simon Perkins, supt. - CZ & CRR.

1881
Simon Perkins, home - Perkins Hill.

1885 DIRECTORY same as 1881.
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