This early war knapsack was part of Howard Gusler's collection that came to the Elgin Historical Society in 1992 after his death. Frank Perkins was a prominent Elgin G.A.R. member who lived until the age of 97. He was one of the last G.A.R. members, dying in 1937. During the Civil War he was part of Company A of the 36th Illinois. He was part of the first class of Elgin Academy and was important in building the cannon monument in 1909 that sits outside the Museum.
After the war, he came back to Elgin and was hired as foreman of the Dial Room at the Watch Factory. He did that for a few years before becoming the Secretary of the Board of Education, a position he held for 20 years. Perkins spent a lot of his retirement studying his pioneer family history. He was born in a log cabin in 1841 on Higgins Rd. just NE of Elgin. His father came from Mass. in 1838 and staked his claim. He married Mary Raymond, another Elgin pioneer family member, in 1869. He was there when Lincoln was nominated for the presidency in Chicago in 1860.
Several interesting things to note about the knapsack. This is an excellent example of the early war knapsacks issued to the 36th. It still has the original pine box frame in the pack. A unknown substance was taken from the knapsack, and we are awaiting the lab results. Perhaps the most unique thing for this hardpack is the example of Perkins' ingenuity and sewing skill. He sewed loops onto the flap of the pack to hold his personal toiletries.
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