Perkins, John Arthur, 1878 – 1954

John Arthur Perkins (1878-1954), bookseller, stationer and parliamentarian, was born at Tumut, NSW, son of Edward and Annie Perkins. He was educated at Tumut and Cooma and in 1894 took up a small selection which he leased in 1899 in order to become a bookseller.

Perkins was involved in various local activities and was elected to the Cooma Municipal Council (1902-1909) and was elected mayor in 1904 and 1908. He stood unsuccessfully for the NSW Legislative Assembly seat of Monaro in 1904 and 1907 and in 1921 filled a casual vacancy in the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of Goulburn. He resigned from the seat in 1926 and was elected to the Federal seat of Eden Monaro (1926-1929, 1931-1943). After his retirement Perkins devoted much time to researching the history of the Monaro district. [ref:ADB 11]