Charles W. Terry

Charles W. Terry, son of Thomas and Harriet Ann (Hopper) Terry, was born at Wood Church, East Kent, England, April 25, 1840. In 1853 he came with his parents to America, the ocean journey lasting thirteen weeks. His parents first settled in New York for two years, then removed to Peoria county, Ill., settled near Elmwood; four years later moved to Knox county and purchased land, and for several years followed farming. In 1883 they moved to Yates City where they still reside. When Mr. Terry first reached Illinois he had but .fifty cents in his pocket, but by industry and economy he has amassed a fortune and can now enjoy life to its fullest extent. Mr. Terry cultivated corn where the city of Elmwood now stands. He also helped to build the first railroad in Illinois, and has seen much of pioneer life in this state. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are at present strong and active. Mr. Terry is now sixty-five and Mrs. Terry seventy-three years of age. Charles W. Terry is the oldest of their family of two children. His early life was spent at hard labor. At twelve years of age he began school for the first time. The schoolhouse being built of logs, and the benches of planks. On September 23, 1873, he married Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Eccless B. and Jerusha (Smith) West, born in Tazewell county, Ill., September 29,1850. Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother's people come to Chicago from Massachusetts, journeying overland with oxen, the trip lasting three months. He purchased forty acres where Chicago now stands, but removed to Tazewell county when Jerusha was but a child, having been born in Chicago. Her father came to Putnam county, where he first met Miss Smith, he afterwards came to Tazewell county where they were married. When Mary was but seven. years old they came to Stark county, and settled in Essex township, and later came to West Jersey township where they remained until 1880, when they removed to Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. West are members of the Christian church. Mr. West is now sixty-eight and Mrs. West sixty years of age. Of their ten children five died in infancy. Mary, now Mrs. Terry, is the eldest child. Her early life was spent at home assisting her parents. Her advantages also were only those of the pioneer period. Since their marriage in 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Terry have resided on their farm in West Jersey township, which Mr. Terry had previously purchased. Three children have blessed their union. Mary L, Harriet J. and William O. Politically Mr. Terry is a Republican, and is opposed to secret organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Terry are descendants of Illinois' earliest pioneers, as this sketch will shovv. They have a pleasant home four miles from Toulon, where they own 145 acres of well-improved lands.