Attorney James N. Thomas (b. 1816) erected the one-story portion of this residence before 1851. James I. Perkins (1847-1923) built the two-story wings and added Victorian detailing after he purchased the property in 1893. Head of a leading Rusk family who owned the home for 94 years, Perkins served as district attorney, district judge, and a member of the State Legislature. His son James I. Perkins, Jr., (1887-1952) and daughter-in-law Morinne (Taylor) (1905-1974) shared a law practice and held offices in city and county government.