Malcolm W. Perkins

MALCOLM W. PERKINS is one of the able and popular county officials residing at Palmyra, judicial center of Fluvanna County, where he is giving effective service as clerk of the Circuit Court for this county. He was born in this county, on the 18th of August, 1888, and is a son of Shandy K. and Mildred (Shepherd) Perkins, both likewise natives of Fluvanna County, where the former was born in 1842 and the latter in 1843. Shandy K. Perkins was here reared on the farm of his father, and as a young man he went forth to do valiant service as a soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war. He became a member of Company D, Twenty-third Virginia Infantry, which was assigned to the brigade commanded by Gen. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson. In an engagement at Spotsylvania Court House Mr. Perkins was wounded, but he was not long incapacitated, and with his regiment continued in service until the close of the war. He returned home and girded himself to do his part in reviving the prostrate industries of his loved home county and state. On the 9th of February, 1871, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Mildred Shepherd, and from that time to the present they have resided on their homestead farm of 150 acres, which he has made one of the well improved and productive places of Fluvanna County. Mr. Perkins is a stalwart in the camp of the democratic party, has served as justice of the peace and is now overseer of the poor for his county, and he and his wife are active members of the Beaulah Baptist Church. Concerning the five children the following brief record is consistently entered: Evelyn is the wife of James M. White; Vernon S. is a resident of Roanoke; Joseph H. is a prosperous farmer in Fluvanna County; Cecil J. likewise is one of the substantial farmers of this county; and Malcolm W. is the immediate subject of this sketch.

While growing to adult age on the home farm Malcolm W. Perkins profited by the advantages of the local schools, besides attending the high school at Palmyra and also a private school. He continued his active alliance with farm enterprise in his native county until 1910, when he was here appointed deputy clerk of the Circuit Court, a position which he continued to hold until December, 1917, when he resigned to offer his services to his country in connection with its entrance into the great World war. He enlisted in the air service of the United States Army, and was in active duty with this department of service in France about one year, where lie had his full share of hazardous experience and where, after the signing of the armistice, lie remained until June, 1919. He then returned to his native land, his honorable discharge having been given him at Camp Mills, Long Island, New York. Upon his return home Mr. Perkins became a democratic nominee for the office of clerk of the Circuit Court, and was elected in November, 1919, and his effective administration of the duties of this office has continued from January 1, 1920, to the present time.

Mr. Perkins has the distinction of being in 1922, commander of the Palmyra Post of the American Legion, besides which he is past noble grand of Palmyra Lodge No. 324, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is district deputy grand master of Odd Fellows in the Virginia Grand Lodge. He and his wife hold membership in the Baptist Church in their home city and are popular figures in the representative social activities of the community.

November 11, 1919, recorded the marriage of Mr. Perkins and Miss Sallie Gray Shepherd, who was born and reared in Fluvanna County and who is a graduate of Hollins College. Mrs. Perkins was graduated in music, is a specially talented pianist, and is the present president of the Virginia Federation of Music Clubs.

Mr. Perkins is president of the Midland Publishing Company of Palmyra, and also president of the Bank of Fluvanna, a leading financial institution at the county seat, M. G. Sclater being vice president of the bank, S. P. Holland, its cashier, and H. T. Holland, the assistant cashier.