Thomas "Tommy" Perkins

Tommy Perkins was a well-known citizen of Iron Mountain, but not because he was a war hero, businessman, doctor, city administrator, or the like. He is included here as an average, everyday member of the community. Typical of towns everywhere who have those individuals whom everyone knows and likes.

Thomas Perkins was born on January 23, 1844 in Cornwall, England. He and his wife, Harriet, had a son, Freddie, and a daughter, Marie. Harriet was born at Mineral Point, WI on Aug. 2, 1849. It is likely he, like many others, moved to the area to work in the mines. When the mines began closing he made ends meet as he was able, whether it was picking up manure on the city streets, assisting on construction projects, or any number of things.

Tommy was a popular enough figure to be photographed individually, which was not the norm around 1910, when the downtown photos of him are believed to have been taken. And to have multiple photographs of him working is even more unusual. The downtown photos show him behind a manure cart on Stephenson Avenue. Locals will likely recognize the background in each.

Tommy died of pneumonia on Feb. 8, 1919.and is buried at Cemetery Park.. He was 75 years old. His wife died on June 4, 1926 at age 76, and is buried next to Tommy. At the time of his passing the couple resided at 104 West A Street in a structure which still stands.