MEN of EARLY OCONTO COUNTY
Joseph Grafton Perkins
Civil War Veteran
Organizer and Director of the Oconto Concert Band
Music
Instructor
Joseph
Grafton Perkins
(1834 - 1889)
Joseph
Grafton Perkins (b. 3/19/1834 MA d. 5/12/1889 WI) is the great great
great grandfather of Linda . He served in the Union Army
in the Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Co. C. After the Civil War, like
so many other eastern soldiers, he was enticed to relocate to Oconto
County where he formed the Oconto Concert Band, which was a brass unit.
Mr. Perkins was also a music teacher.
Research by BILL : I saw this unidentified photo on the Oconto County Genealogical Society Website and shortly afterward Linda's query came in to the Oconto County WIGenWeb Query Board. I believe that founding GGG Grandfather Perkins is one of the more middle aged men and he is in the center of the second row from the top, holding the baton, the usual position for the band leader. The band was made up of volunteer men from all walks of life in the city and their music was offered as free entertainment for many occasions and holiday celebrations, such as in the city band shell on Summer evenings and weekends.
The uniforms are reminiscent of the infantry dress uniforms of the Civil War, and the design was used for a few years after. This style was also used by firefighters and police of that time, many of whom were also Civil War veterans. This photo, based on the clothing style, font style on the drum and background, indicates c: 1870 and census has Band leader Perkins in Oconto at that time.
Research by BILL : I saw this unidentified photo on the Oconto County Genealogical Society Website and shortly afterward Linda's query came in to the Oconto County WIGenWeb Query Board. I believe that founding GGG Grandfather Perkins is one of the more middle aged men and he is in the center of the second row from the top, holding the baton, the usual position for the band leader. The band was made up of volunteer men from all walks of life in the city and their music was offered as free entertainment for many occasions and holiday celebrations, such as in the city band shell on Summer evenings and weekends.
The uniforms are reminiscent of the infantry dress uniforms of the Civil War, and the design was used for a few years after. This style was also used by firefighters and police of that time, many of whom were also Civil War veterans. This photo, based on the clothing style, font style on the drum and background, indicates c: 1870 and census has Band leader Perkins in Oconto at that time.