Volume III: Biographies

PERKINS, Dr. James M. *

Actor (cameo appearance) (1914)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Dr. James M. Perkins, mayor of Denver, Colorado, had a cameo role in A Denver Romance, a 1914 Thanhouser film, in which he performed a wedding ceremony. The mayor's appearance was arranged by Robert Ruble, a Denver railroad official who also had a cameo appearance as best man.

Biographical Notes: The following information was supplied to the author by Federico Peña, mayor of Denver in 1988, and Nancy MacDougal, of the Metropolitan State College in the same city: Dr. James M. Perkins was born in Farmington, Missouri in 1863. He came to Denver for his undergraduate education at the University of Denver. He then returned to Missouri, completed his medical education at Washington University in St. Louis, and was married. Back once again in Denver, he embarked on an extremely successful career as one of the leading surgeons in the area. In June 1912 he was appointed health commissioner. The following spring, Denver experimented with a commission form of government, and Dr. Perkins was one of the six commissioners elected to conduct the affairs of the municipality. His title was Commissioner of Social Welfare. At the first organizational meeting of the commissioners, James Perkins was chosen mayor, in which position he served from 1913 to 1915. After his two-year term he returned to his medical practice. In addition to his profession, he always found time for civic affairs and was also an active member of several medical associations. He died in Denver on October 28, 1926 at the age of 63.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1914: A Denver Romance (11-29-1914)

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