472 l'EKABO. PERKINS. In 1854 Mr. Perabo made his first appearance before the public in a con- cert given by Professor Heinrich, and gave uncommon promise. From New York the family went to Dover, N. H., remaining two years ; thence they removed to Boston for one year, during which time Mr. Perabo received instruction of Frank Hill, and also on the violin from William Schultze of the Mendelssohn Quintette Club, and played at a concert under Carl Zerrahn's direction, at Music Hall. Then the family removed to Chicago. The father was poor, but the purpose of edu- cating his son was big within him, and he determined in the simplicity of his heart to make an appeal to the government, and persuaded the mother and son to go to Washington. At the White House they saw President Buchanan, who, amused at the advent of his extraordinary callers and their errand, informed them kindly that neither the executive department nor Con- gress was particularly interested in the promotion of the fine arts. They then went to New York and again found Mr. Scharfenberg, with the purpose of interesting him in the boy's education abroad. He at first objected, declaring that pupils sent abroad wasted their time in frivolous amusements instead of attend- ing to their studies. His objections were finally overcome, and through his exertions young Perabo was sent abroad and put into the schools noted above. At Eimsbuttel, under the tender care of Mrs. Andresen, August Schiiler, Mey- erhof, and Heinrich Joachim — teach- ers remarkable for their good judgment — he spent the four happiest years of his life. His teachers at Leipzig were Profes- sors Moscheles and E. F. Wenzel, piano ; Papperitz, Hauptmann and Richter in har- mony ; and at a later period Carl Reinecke in composition. At the public examination of the conservatory, May 4, 1865, he played the second and third movements of Norbert Burgmiiller's concerto in F sharp minor, then just published, and performed for the first time in public. Shortly after his graduation, he returned to this country, where he was met by Mr. Scharfenberg and other friends, who as- sured him that they expected no recompense for what they had done 111 his behalf. Mr. Perabo then proceeded to Sandusky, Ohio, where his parents at that time resided, giving several successful and gratifying concerts in that city, and also at Lafay- ette, Chicago and Cleveland. In 1866 he returned to New York. While there he was invited to play at the last concert of the season given by the Harvard Musical Association of Boston. He played Hummel's "Septette," which met with such a marked degree of critical favor that his reputation was at once established in that city. Here he re- mained, and during his residence in Bos- ton he has devoted his attention faithfully to piano instruction. His claims to excel- lence are universally acknowledged. He is well known as a musical composer and a thoroughly accomplished artist. Mr. Perabo was married in Boston, June 3, 1889, to Louisa E. Smidt. PERKINS, Hamilton Lucerne, son of Isaiah and Priscilla Morse (Kimball) Perkins, was born in Georgetown, Essex county, March 26, 1845. His early education was limited to the common and high schools of Georgetown. He worked on the farm until sixteen years of age, when he joined the 50th Massachusetts regiment, and went to the front, being one of the youngest recruits who enlisted from his section. He later became connected with the 17th unat- tached company and served until the close of the war. On his return home he engaged in the tailoring business in Georgetown. In 18S5 he went to Haverhill, where he is still en- gaged in the same business. Mr. Perkins was married in Georgetown, December r, 1869,10 Ellen Augusta, daugh- ter of Daniel E. and Rebecca (Sawyer) Moulton. Of this union are two children : Florence and Luella Leighton Perkins. Mr. Perkins is prominent in the following societies, having held nearly all the offices in their gift : Protection Lodge, I. O. O. F., Georgetown ; Eagle Encampment, I. (). O. F., Haverhill, and district deputy-grand master of Massachusetts ; Canton Eagle, Patriarchs Militant, A. O. U. W., and Passa- quoi Tribe, I. O. R. M. He has been gov- ernor of the Winnekenie Colony No. 122, U. O. P. F., and is at present a member of Colonel Dalton's staff, with rank of major. Mr. Perkins, while frequently called upon to serve his fellow-townsmen in political affairs, has hitherto steadfastly refused to accept office, until this year he consented to allow the use of his name for nomination as alderman-at-large. He was easily elected, and his fellow-members honored him with a choice as their presid- ing officer, and he is now serving them anil the city of Haverhill most creditably as the president of the board of aldermen.
