Person Page - 702

     Hattie Lucia Humphrey was born on 1 November 1884.¹ She was the daughter of Edward George Humphrey and Samantha Godard Holcombe.¹ Hattie Lucia Humphrey died on 24 November 1884.¹

     Kenneth Fenner married Bessie Norton, daughter of (?) Norton and Anne Holcombe.¹ Kenneth Fenner was born circa 1901 at NY.²

     Julia Maybelle Bliss was born on 28 October 1879 at Schyler, NE.¹ She married George Edward Humphrey, son of Edward George Humphrey and Samantha Godard Holcombe, on 4 March 1903.¹ Julia Maybelle Bliss died on 3 May 1952 at Omaha, Douglas Co., NE, at age 72.¹

     Elvin Dale Perkins was born on 26 May 1922 at family ranch, Union Township, Elk Co., KS. He was the son of Ralph Perkins and Zora Root. Elvin Dale Perkins married Kathryn Lee Prosser, daughter of Dr. Francis Herbert Prosser and Edna Russell, on 9 August 1944 at Osage City, KS. Elvin Dale Perkins died on 20 February 2016 at Santa Marta Retirement Community, Olathe, Johnson Co., KS, at age 93.

From the Emporia Gazette, May 2014:

The elevator in the Bank of America building was sardine-can full as it shuttled passengers to the fifth floor for a reception honoring one of Emporia's most beloved and respected citizens on May 21.

There, in the offices of the Emporia Community Foundation, friends spent more than two hours reminiscing with Elvin Perkins and thanking him for decades of service to the community.
Perkins, 92, is moving to Kansas City to be near family members.

He first had come here to attend the College of Emporia, where he met fellow student Kathryn Prosser. They married in 1944, during his leave from the U.S. Navy, and returned to Emporia to stay in 1948, after he graduated from Washburn Law School in Topeka. In a short time, the couple was busy juggling jobs, family responsibilities and volunteer work as they integrated themselves into life in Emporia.

Elvin Perkin's legacy includes — but assuredly is not limited to — six years of service as a city commissioner and one year as mayor of Emporia; member, director and chairman of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce; board member of Emporia Enterprises, the National Teachers Hall of Fame, the Regional Development Association and the United Way of the Flint Hills.

Kathryn Perkins, who died Feb. 5, 2012, was equally committed in complementary activities and causes to better the quality of life and education here. She had received a degree in music education, with a major in pipe organ, from C. of E., and had taught for a few years in northeast Kansas schools before the couple moved to Emporia. She directed youth choirs and served as an elder and the organist for many years at First Presbyterian church, gave private music lessons, and played for many weddings and funerals. When the couple's children were young, she was involved in PTA, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts, serving as leader and as a council member. She later was president of the board of directors for the United Way of the Flint Hills and was involved in the Social Service Club and women's organizations. Voters elected Kathryn to the Emporia Board of Education, which she also served as president.She had been a member of the advisory committee for the music department at Emporia State University, and her interest in the arts extended beyond music. "They had been real active in the Emporia Arts Council," son Steve Perkins said. "She was kind of the spearhead of that thing, and he was right there with her."

He recalled his parents working together in the EAC's early days at its former location in an aging building on Merchant Street, when volunteers did the hands-on chores to develop it into a strong organization. "Dad would replace ceiling tiles," Steve Perkins recalled during the reception, "and they would fold programs together. ...They just kind of played off each other well." He said their top priority always had been family, but they believed they owed a responsibility to the place they had chosen to be the home town for their children, John, Janet and Steve. "That's what their whole belief was, to give back to the community," Steve said. "They just had a philosophy to do for the community."

Perhaps Elvin's most enduring contribution will be his role as one of the founders of the Emporia Community Foundation. Perkins and five other Emporians — Carl Didde, Barbara White Walker, Bobbie Agler, George Osborn, and the late Steve Davis — banded together in 1996 to develop a means for individuals and groups to pool their investment funds, utilize the strength in numbers, and increase their assets to be used for the betterment of the people in this area. ECF guidelines allowed for both small personal funds and larger organizational funds to come under the same umbrella of investment management. Perkins did the legal work and oversaw its operations until the Foundation's success demanded a director whose time was dedicated to the organization. ECF assets have grown to more than $14.7 million, according to its 2013 Annual Report, with 38 Field of Interest funds, 24 Designated, 18 Donor Advised, two Affiliated funds and four Unrestricted (including the Kathryn and Elvin Perkins endowment fund). The funds come from Emporia and Lyon County, as well as Chase, Morris, Greenwood, Osage, Coffey and Wabaunsee counties. Perkins' commitment to ECF continues; in 2013, he said he would match $1 for every $4 contributed by someone else through June 2014, up to a maximum of $23,000. "If you didn't put back in, you only take, it just depletes," Steve said. "I know that's a big deal for him, making sure this keeps going." ECF Board President Ken Buchele touched on Perkins' philosophy on giving during an earlier interview. "I think that's one of the things that's missing in our society," Buchele said then. "People don't figure out they didn't do everything all by themselves. "There were a lot of people around who helped them. ... Perk understands that. He's appreciative of it. It takes a guy like Perk to make it all work."

The elder Perkins' influence has been passed on to friends and family, perhaps more noticeably to their son John's daughter, Jennifer Perkins of Kansas City. Whether it was coincidence or something else, Jennifer has been tightly linked to her grandparents and is carrying on their tradition. She had worked in her grandfather's law office while in high school to learn more about a possible career as an attorney. Kathryn, as a board of education member, had handed Jennifer her diploma during the 1990 Emporia High School graduation ceremony. After graduating with honors from Emporia State University, she went on to graduate from Washburn University School of Law, on the golden anniversary of Elvin's graduation. It was a treasured moment for the grandfather, Steve said. Jennifer maintains a law practice and also devotes considerable time to an innovative 10-step project for students in the Kansas City area. She is listed as a member of the research team for Mulberry South, at www.goodcelebrated.com. "Jennifer is working on a program to teach young kids philanthropy," Steve said. "... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

from Signature Funerals & Cremations, viewed online 23 February 2016:

Elvin D. (Perk) Perkins (93), formerly of Emporia, KS, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2016 at his apartment at Santa Marta Retirement Community, Olathe, Kansas.

Elvin was born on the family ranch, Elk County- Union Township, west of Howard, Kansas on May 26, 1922, the son of Ralph and Zora Root Perkins. He was the second of four children. Elvin attended primary school in the one room Union School and graduated from Howard High School in 1939. He entered the College of Emporia (Kansas) in the fall of 1939. It was while he was at the College of Emporia that he met his wife, Kathryn L (Prosser) Perkins. Elvin wanted to finish college before entering the war; he enlisted in a program that permitted him to complete his senior year, then enter US Navy midshipman school (on the Notre Dame campus) and get a commission. After receiving his commission he was sent to anti-submarine training then to Destroyer USS Trippe DD403, on which he spent his military career. The destroyer served in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and later the South Pacific where they were escorting other ships to Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Elvin and Kathryn were married in Osage City, Kansas on August 9, 1944 while Elvin was home on leave.

Following his discharge, Elvin entered Washburn Law School, in Topeka, and graduated in 1948. While in law school he clerked for several legislative committees. In the summer of 1948 they moved to Emporia to open a law practice.

Elvin’s law practice served a large variety of clients, and there he distinguished himself with his peers. He was invited to join The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and The American College of Mortgage Attorneys. Invitation to one alone as a small town attorney was rare, but two was a major testament to his skills and accomplishments. Elvin was involved with Kansas Bar (KBA) activities. He was appointed by the Kansas Supreme Court to serve on the commission that mandated Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for attorneys and then served on the KBA CLE Committee.

Elvin and Kathryn held a strong belief that they serve the community in which they lived and they both did that well. From 1951 until 1973 Elvin served on the College of Emporia Board of Trustees and as Chairman for many years; his involvement with C of E continued even after the school closed as he spearheaded the successful effort to get all the college’s debts repaid. Elvin’s legacy of service included: six years of as an Emporia city commissioner and one year as mayor; member, director and chairman of the Emporia Chamber of Commerce; board member of Emporia Enterprises, the National Teachers Hall of Fame, the Regional Development Association and the United Way of the Flint Hills. Elvin and Kathryn were active leaders/ supporters at the Emporia Arts Council, First (Emporia) Presbyterian Church and Emporia State University music programs.

Elvin’s most enduring community contribution was his role in founding, leading and growing the Emporia Community Foundation. He served on both their Board of Trustees and Board of Directors where he was Chairman of each. For his service to the community he was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Emporia Chamber of Commerce and in 2014 received a special commendation award from the Emporia City Commission for his contributions to the city.

Perk is remembered for displaying his positive outlook and being kind, gracious and generous to others. And truly, family is what Elvin cherished most. His caring, selfless love for his family was what his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces recall most. Before Kathryn’s death they loved traveling together; they enjoyed their trips abroad to explore Europe, Jamaica and Mexico as well as many months of March in south Florida. Their love of travel was launched with a honeymoon and shore leave rendezvous in New York City, home port for Elvin’s ship.

He is survived by a brother, Lynn Perkins and wife, Lois of Lawrence, Kansas; two sons and a daughter; John Perkins and wife, Linda of Parkville, Missouri, Steven Perkins and wife, Pamela of Overland Park, Kansas, Janet Jehle and husband, Charles of Overland Park; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Perkins and husband Andrew Massieon of Overland Park, Mark Perkins and wife, Emily of Leawood, Kansas, Justin Perkins of Wichita, Kansas, Taylor Brown and Tali Fagenblat of Vail, Colorado, Christopher Jehle and wife, Tally of Providence, RI, Courtney Jehle of Dallas, Texas, Tyler Jehle of Overland Park and Kathryn Jehle of Overland Park; four great grandchildren, Andrew and Sophie Massieon and Luke and William Perkins; nephews Brian Ashcraft, Overland Park and Scott Ashcraft and wife Bernadette of Kansas City, MO; numerous nephews and nieces, in-laws, colleagues and friends.

Elvin was preceded in death by his beloved Kathryn, his parents Ralph and Zora Perkins; brother Ralph Perkins and sister Louise Byer Perkins.

Cremation wishes have been fulfilled. A Memorial Service will be held 1:30 PM on Saturday, February, 27 at the Emporia Presbyterian Church, Downtown, 802 Commercial with a reception to follow at the Emporia Art Council, 815 Commercial. Private family inurnment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia Kansas. A remembrance service will be held at Santa Marta Retirement Community at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Emporia Community Foundation- Fund for the Future. Those may be made on line or ECF, 527 Commercial Ste 501, Emporia, KS 66801. Arrangements by Signature Funerals, Kansas City, MO. 816-214-5174.

     Rachael Humpston married Joseph Bliss Humphrey, son of George Edward Humphrey and Julia Maybelle Bliss.¹

     Christopher Dickinson was the son of Samuel Dickinson and Mary Cole.¹ Christopher Dickinson married Mary (?) on 24 May 1749 at NY.¹ Christopher Dickinson died in 1790 at Canaan, Columbia Co., NY.¹

     Marie Horn married George Frank Humphrey, son of George Edward Humphrey and Julia Maybelle Bliss.¹

     Cecila Goodwin married Frank George Humphrey, son of George Edward Humphrey and Julia Maybelle Bliss.¹

     Ruth Rose Marie Humphrey married Wright Caswell.¹ Ruth Rose Marie Humphrey was born on 8 July 1909 at NE.^1,2 She was the daughter of George Edward Humphrey and Julia Maybelle Bliss.¹ Ruth Rose Marie Humphrey died on 8 November 1977 at age 68.¹

     Mary Belle Evelyn Humphrey was born on 15 September 1905.^1,2 She was the daughter of George Edward Humphrey and Julia Maybelle Bliss.¹ Mary Belle Evelyn Humphrey married Earle Wesley Ashton on 29 December 1930.¹ Mary Belle Evelyn Humphrey died on 7 March 1999 at Omaha, Douglas Co., NE, at age 93.²

     Dr. Francis Herbert Prosser was born on 3 February 1889 at Osage City, Osage Co., KS.¹ He was the son of John Prosser and Ellenor (?) Dr. Francis Herbert Prosser married Edna Russell on 16 September 1920 at Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO. Dr. Francis Herbert Prosser died on 21 August 1968 at Emporia, Lyon Co., KS, at age 79.

Francis and Edna were enumerated in the 1930 Osage City, Osage Co., KS, federal census. He was a dentist, age 41, she was 34. Children in the household were Katherine 6, Frances E. 5, and Joan, 2 years 1 month. Also in the household was Francis' father, John, age 76.

F. H. and Edna were again enumerated in Osage in the 1940 federal census. He was a dentist age 51, she was 44. Children in the household were Katherine 16, Frances 15, and Shirley 12.

     Dixie Lois Ashton was born on 4 February 936.¹ She was the daughter of Earle Wesley Ashton and Mary Belle Evelyn Humphrey.¹

     Peggy Delorice Ashton was born on 1 April 1934.¹ She was the daughter of Earle Wesley Ashton and Mary Belle Evelyn Humphrey.¹ Peggy Delorice Ashton died on 25 May 2001 at age 67.¹

     Ellis Russell was born on 17 November 1730 at Reading, Essex Co., MA.¹ He married Joanna Wolcott, daughter of Lt. Thomas Wolcott and Catherine Loomis, on 18 November 1751 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Mary Lowell Gardner was born on 12 January 1802 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ She was the daughter of Samuel Pickering Gardner and Rebecca Russell Lowell.² Mary Lowell Gardner married Francis Cabot Lowell, son of Francis Cabot Lowell and Hannah Jackson, on 11 January 1826 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ Mary Lowell Gardner died on 5 August 1854 at Waltham, Middlesex Co., MA, at age 52.¹

     Hannah Jackson was born on 3 February 1776 at Newburyport, MA.¹ She married Francis Cabot Lowell, son of John Lowell and Susanna Cabot, on 2 November 1798 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ Hannah Jackson died on 10 May 1815 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA, at age 39.¹

     Rebecca Russell Lowell was born on 17 May 1779 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ She was the daughter of John Lowell and Rebecca Russell.² Rebecca Russell Lowell married Samuel Pickering Gardner on 19 September 1797 at Roxbury, MA.¹ Rebecca Russell Lowell died on 11 May 1853 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA, at age 73.¹

     Sgt. James Ensign was born on 8 July 1666 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of David Ensign and Mehitabel Gunn.¹ Sgt. James Ensign married Lydia Baker, daughter of John Baker and Lydia Baysey, on 20 March 1690 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Sgt. James Ensign died on 13 June 1754 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 87.¹

     Rebecca Russell was born on 27 February 1747 at Charlestown, Middlesex Co., MA.¹ She married John Lowell, son of Rev. John Lowell and Sarah Champney, on 27 January 1778 at Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., MA.¹ Rebecca Russell died on 15 September 1816 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA, at age 69.¹

     Susanna Cabot was born on 13 January 1754 at Salem, Essex Co., MA.¹ She married John Lowell, son of Rev. John Lowell and Sarah Champney, on 31 May 1774 at Salem, Essex Co., MA.¹ Susanna Cabot died on 30 March 1777 at Salem, Essex Co., MA, at age 23.¹

     Mary Henry Sawyer was born on 12 May 1883 at Nashville, Davidson Co., TN.¹ Mary Henry Sawyer was also known as Mayme Henry Sawyer. She married James Frank Wolfe, son of Henry Frederick Wolfe and Nancy Regina Turk, on 7 November 1901 at Nashville, Davidson Co., TN.² Mary Henry Sawyer died in August 1972 at Bethany, Oklahoma, OK, at age 89.³

     Charlotte Case married (?) Brockway. Charlotte Case was born on 10 January 1792. She was the daughter of Ozias Case and Lucy Tuttle.

     Lucien Mauregarde died in 1982.¹

     Lucy Brockway was the daughter of (?) Brockway and Charlotte Case.

     Royal Watrous was born on 28 May 1929.² He married Laura May Holcombe, daughter of Harold Carson Holcombe and Nira Alvania Ayers.¹ Royal Watrous died on 27 October 1997 at Corona, Riverside Co., CA, at age 68.²

     Sarah Champney was born on 15 October 1704 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ She married Rev. John Lowell, son of Ebenezer Lowell and Elizabeth Shaller, on 23 December 1725 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ Sarah Champney died on 28 June 1756 at age 51.¹

     David Warner was born on 12 July 1758 at Longmeadow, Hampden Co., MA.¹ He married Mary Russell, daughter of Ellis Russell and Joanna Wolcott, on 17 January 1779 at Conway, Franklin Co., MA.¹ David Warner died on 16 April 1831 at Walworth, NY, at age 72.¹

     Elizabeth Shaller was baptized on 29 June 1677 at Church of All Hallows The Great, London, England.¹ She married Ebenezer Lowell on 30 January 1693/94 at Boston, Suffolk Co., MA.¹ Elizabeth Shaller died on 26 April 1738 at age 60.¹

     Emma (?) was born in December 1859.¹ She married Albert Holcombe, son of Watson Holcombe and Polly Smith.¹

     Frances Allred was born on 1 March 1834 at TN. She was the daughter of Anna Bunch. Frances Allred died on 25 May 1918 at KS at age 84.

     Oliver Russell was born on 9 May 1777 at Springfield, Hampden Co., MA.¹ He was the son of Ellis Russell and Joanna Wolcott.¹ Oliver Russell married Nancy Newton on 19 July 1794 at Springfield, Hampden Co., MA.¹

     Anna Bunch was born on 27 March 1814 at Overton Co., TN.¹ She was the daughter of Nathaniel Bunch and Sarah Wade Ray.¹ Anna Bunch died on 21 June 1893 at AR at age 79.

     Willard Mitt Romney was born on 12 March 1947 at Detroit, Wayne Co., MI.¹ He was the son of George Wilcken Romney and Lenore LaFount.¹