Perkins, Ruffin Trousdale, M. D.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Perkins, Ruffin Trousdale, M. D., of New Orleans, was born near Thibodaux, Lafourche parish, La., Jan. 5, 1880; the son of Robert J., and Mary Louise (Beasley) Perkins. His father, born in Lafourche parish in 1833, was the son of Robert W. F. H. Perkins, who was a native of North Carolina, of English lineage, was a pioneer in Lafourche parish where he became a sugar planter. Robert J. Perkins was a Confederate veteran, and served with distinction in a Louisiana regiment. He was a law graduate of the University of Louisiana, now Tulane; taught school soon after the close of the war, and next engaged in the planting business. Death overtook him in his 63rd year. Dr. Perkins' mother was a native of Louisiana, the daughter of James W. Beasley, a Louisianian whose family came from Tennessee to this state, and who lived to the advanced age of 85 years. Mrs. Perkins, who has reached her 70th year, is now a resident of New Orleans. She was the mother of five children, one of whom is the subject of this sketch, and the other, Robert J. Perkins,, is a prominent lawyer of New Orleans. His biography appears elsewhere in this volume. Dr. Perkins graduated from Tulane high school in 1895; received the degree of A. B. from Tulane university in 1900, and 6 years later, graduated in medicine at Tulane. During 3 years following his graduation as Bachelor of Arts, Dr. Perkins was employed as an expert in the timber business. From 1907 to 1909 he was interne physician for Touro infirmary. He is a member of the Orleans parish Medical society; the Louisiana State Medical society, and the American Medical association. In religion he is an Episcopalian, a communicant of Trinity church, member of Louisiana Lodge No. 102, F. and A. M.; and of Orleans Delta Chapter No. 1, R. A. M. In political affairs, Dr. Perkins is not a partisan, but casts his vote for the men and measures that appeal to him as standing for the best interests of the public, without regard to party lines, although he is, nominally, a democrat.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, pp. 353-354. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit. D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.