Charles Perkins, local centenarian. This picture was taken when he was 102, in 1950. Also pictured are members of the Royalettes Club, a local group that celebrated with Mr. Perkins. Wilda Herndon was the president of the Royalettes.

Charles Perkins, formerly of 509 North Fourth Street, in Champaign, celebrated his 100th birthday in 1948. He was born in 1848 and lived in Champaign-Urbana since the age of 8.

He said that there was "nothing but the prairie" when he arrived.

His first job, at the age of 10, was herding cows for 25 cents a week.

He was the first person baptized at Bethel A.M.E. Church.

He had one son and outlived his wife, both of him are currently unknown. [Please add information if you know it.]

He lived in his old age with F.C. Coleman, who was 67 in 1950.

Source: http://eblackcu.net/portal/items/show/795