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Adam Perry
Linn County
Born in Greenbrier County, Va., April 24, 1804. He attended the common schools, and to the information gained therein added a practical education. He worked on the farm until twenty years of age, when his health failed him, and for five years he was unable to do manual labor. Remaining at home until thirty-two years old, a portion of the time being engaged in the duties of a pedagogue, he removed to Ohio, where he undertook to clear up a wood farm. The labor, however, proved too severe for his physical powers, and, in the winter of 1834, he again engaged in teaching. The next winter he went to Stark County, Illinois, where he purchased 440 acres of land, and where he lived until 1846. He then disposed of his property by sale, and, coming to Van Buren County, this State, remained two years and then removed to Johnson County. Living in the latter county one year, he then came to this county and settled at Ely Station, where he purchased a farm. In that vicinity he was occupied in the cultivation of 440 acres of land and followed that vocation until 1852. He then sold his property and purchased a large tract of land where now stands Western College, and lived on this latter purchase until 1881. During this year he moved to Missouri, and lived in that State until 1885. Returning from Missouri Mr. Perry settled at Cedar Rapids. Mr. Perry was united in marriage, January 9, 1836, with Miss Kate A. Guthrie, a native of Highland County, Ohio, and born Feb. 25, 1819. She is a daughter of William and Rachel (Jones) Guthrie, natives of Virginia. Adam Perry was elected to the Twelfth General Assembly of Iowa, and represented his constituency in the session of 1868. He was employed by the Government on the survey in Western Iowa, and also held the position of County Surveyor and Supervisor. He was one of the prime movers in seeming the location of Western College at Western, and gave forty acres of land for that purpose, the same being the land on which the college is standing at this time. He was a stock-holder in the Farmers' Insurance Company of Iowa, and a stock-holder in the Western Steam Flour-Mill until 1881. Mr. Perry was a stanch Republican, and has always taken an active part in political affairs. He and his good wife were members of the United Brethren Church. He was one of those whole-souled, genial and kind-hearted gentlemen, who are an honor to the community in which they reside, and a financial benefit rather than a hindrance.
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