John Erastus Perkins, commander of Company C of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers, was born on a farm in Massena, New York, on June 20, 1811. After his father's death in September 1847, he managed the family farm until 1857 when he and his stepmother moved to Bridge Creek, Wisconsin. Eventually Perkins settled in Eau Claire where he became active in the real estate business and in local politics.
At the outbreak of the Civil War Perkins helped raise a company of volunteers known as the Eau Claire Badgers. The “Badgers” soon became the “Eagle Company” after it adopted an eagle, nicknamed “Old Abe,” as its mascot. In September 1861 the company was mustered into service as Company C, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin. Perkins became its captain.
He died on May 11, 1862 of wounds received during the Battle of Farmington in Mississippi that had been fought on May 9. Perkins was buried on the shores of the Tennessee River at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.
