Born on the 23d of January, 1830, at Windham, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. His father, James W. Perkins, was a physician early in life, and later a Congregational minister. Dr. Perkins left Windham when the subject of this sketch was less than a year old. Charles G. was educated mainly at Francistown and Pembroke academies. In 1853 he started a tailoring and ready-made clothing business at Mount Vernon, New Hampshire, and two years later removed to Wisconsin, settling on a farm in New Chester, Adams county. There, while engaged in agricultural pursuits, he served on the board of supervisors five or six years, and as deputy sheriff two years, being postmaster all the time he remained in Wisconsin. In February, 1862, Mr. Perkins enlisted as a private in company G, 19th Wisconsin Infantry, which was in the eighteenth army corps. He served three years; was with the regiment in all the skirmishes and battles in which it participated, and, never received even a scratch. He came out a first lieutenant of the company. In September, 1865, Mr. Perkins settled in Onawa, farming for four years. He was elected recorder of Monona County in 1871, but resigned before his term had expired. He was a member of the Fourteenth General Assembly, representing Monona, Crawford, Shelby and Audubon counties, and serving on the committees on agriculture, on highways and on some special committees. He was appointed postmaster in February, 1873, and in this, as well as every other position he has occupied, he has served the people with the utmost faithfulness. Mr. Perkins has always affiliated with the Republican party, cherishes its principles with the greatest cordiality and firmness, and works earnestly to further its interests. On the 9th of October, 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Stearns, of Lowell, Massachusetts.