My Genealogy Hound

PERRY C. WIMER. Among the residents of Coloma, Berrien County, who are spending their declining years in the enjoyment of peace and plenty obtained by their industrious efforts and good management, and secure in the esteem of all who know them, are Perry C. Wimer and his good wife. Our subject was born in Greene County, Pa., on St. Valentine’s Day, 1848, and is the son of John and Betsey (Spicher) Wimer.

The father of our subject was born in Somerset County, Pa., and was a farmer by occupation. He belonged to the German Baptist Church, in which he worked faithfully, and died in Greene County, Pa,, in 1856, leaving a wife and family of children. Our subject’s mother was also a native of Somerset County, and after her union with Mr. Wimer became the mother of thirteen children, seven of whom reached mature years. The children are as follows: Murray, of Kansas; George, deceased; William, who lives in Pennsylvania; Frederick, a resident of Wayne County, Ohio; and Elizabeth, deceased. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Wimer married John Safford and died in 1869.

Mr. Wimer of this sketch was reared on his father’s farm, receiving only a meagre education, and in 1852, after his father died, he with his mother and two younger sisters emigrated to this State and located two miles north of Coloma. Here they settled down to begin the struggle for existence. Perry working on the farm by the month for three years, and afterward finding employment in a sawmill for the same length of time. He then came to Coloma and worked in a gristmill belonging to Sawyer Bail, and it was there that he met with the accident in which he lost his left hand. In 1873, our subject formed a partnership with Mr. Ball and engaged in the manufacture of fruit packages, continuing in this for two years, at which time he bought out his partner and has ever since run the business alone. He began with the help of but eight men, but now has in his employ from forty to fifty and realizes a lucrative trade. Mr. Wimer is also the possessor of thirty-five acres of land near the village, and owns a number of fine pieces of property in Coloma.

Politically our subject is a supporter of the Republican principles and platform. The marriage of Mr. Wimer and Miss Sarah J. Dobbyn was celebrated November 15, 1867. Mrs. Wimer was born in Kent County, Canada, and is the daughter of Henry and Catherine (McDermid) Dobbyn. Henry Dobbyn was of Irish extraction and came from his native country to Michigan in 1857. His wife was born in Scotland. Our subject, after his marriage, became the father of eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Elwood C., who is a man of excellent business qualities, and was educated at Ann Arbor College, from which he was graduated in the business departments; Joseph L.; John H., Catherine E. and Florence L. The other three children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Wimer’s home is the abode of pleasant hospitality and their many friends often find a cordial welcome beneath its roof.