Lothrop Perkins

1845-1884

by

 Charlotte Carl-Mitchell
 April 2006

According to Noah C. Perkins obituaries, Noah and Lothrop came to Ottawa, IL from Massachusetts in the mid 1860s. In the book, Ottawa Old and New, there was a reprint of an article on Lothrop Perkins that was printed at the time of his death on September 17, 1884, Lothrop "was supervisor of Ottawa township. He held various other offices, including that of alderman. He was long identified with the fire department, and it was due to his energy that discipline and efficiency were brought up to the standard. He was superintendent of the gas works, and many improvements were brought about by him. He was a man of splendid business qualifications, large hearted, and was very popular with the people. In 1869 Mr. Perkins married Emily, daughter of ex-Sheriff E. L. Waterman, and she died August 10, 1907. Starting in life modestly, they acquired a competence, and their home became one of the attractive places in East Ottawa. The couple left three children - Mrs. E. F. Bull, of Oak Park, Ill, Lothrop of Medford, Oregon and Mrs. F. F. Follett, of Ottawa. At Mr. Perkins funeral, which was conducted by the Masons, the pall-bearers were such prominent men as T. E. MacKinlay, E. Barber, Col. D. Hapeman, E. F. Bull, T. C. Fullerton and E. C. Lewis. Mr. Perkins came with his brother, Noah C, when both were young men, from Middleboro, Mass, where he was born April 10, 1845 [our records say 1844] Both started to work in the old Gridley store, and Lothrop was later one of the firm of Gridely & Perkins, with operated a knitting mill."

Also from the Ottawa history, in March 1878, Lothrop was appointed chief engineer of the fire department. In 1880, he was chief of the fire department and helped to stop an attempted arson of the courthouse. He was a member of the Undine Hose company and on November 12, 1884 a new Silsby steamer, one of three owned by the city, was delivered and was named "Lothrop Perkins" for the chief of the department. The plaque that adorned that engine is still on display at Ottawa's downtown fire station.

Photo of engine plaque courtesy of the Ottawa, IL Fire Department

In August 1883, Lothrop became president of the newly organized Ottawa Driving Park association which helped to create one of the fastest half mile horse racing tracks in the US. And in 1884, he served on the committee for the Fourth of July celebration. He died on September 17, 1884 at the young age of 39.

In 2004, a ceremony was held in Ottawa, IL to honor past and present firefighters of the Ottawa Fire Department, including Lothrop and Noah Perkins.