My Genealogy Hound

PERRY, AUGUSTIN T. farmer and and stock raiser, Sec. 36, P.O. Kane. Augustin Perry takes a leading position among the wealthy men of Greene County; he was born in Christian County, Kentucky, on the 23d of December, 1829. His father, familiarly known as Col. N. M. Perry, to the residents of Greene County, where he removed in 1836, was a native of Orange County, Virginia, born November 30, 1806, and is the sixth of eight children of James and Ann Perry, who were of English descent. Passing briefly by the early years of James Perry, spent amid pioneer associations, we arrive at the year of 1776, when it became necessary for America to throw off the yoke of British tyranny. In that struggle for liberty, James Perry took an active part, and became a participant in many of the more noted battles of the Continental war. Honorably discharged at its close, he returned to the pursuits of husbandry. He was among the leading planters in the county in which he resided; he died in Virginia, in 1815, and three years later, in 1818, Mrs. Perry removed with her children to Christian County, Kentucky; her death occurred at the residence of her son, Colonel Perry, Greene County, Illinois, on the 7th of October, 1853. Colonel Perry’s father having died during his early years, he was measurably thrown upon his own resources. His early culture was pursued in the schools of Kentucky, and by assiduous industry, he was enabled to attain to a thorough knowledge of the solid branches of an English education. Urbane in his manners, he evinced a determined spirit of perseverance, which enabled him to successfully grapple with the practical concerns of life. Completing his education, he was employed to teach a select school, at Nashville, Tennessee. During the Winter of 1828, he was married to Miss Frances A. Tandy, a daughter of Henry Tandy, of Virginia. Shortly after his marriage, he turned his attention to farming, in Kentucky. Four children were born of this marriage. After a sojourn of a few years in Kentucky, he sought broader fields, eventually landing in Greene County. In 1836, he located in the village of Kane, where he destined to play so prominent a part in the development of the county; in 1837, he engaged in merchandising and farming until 1872. In 1855, he became a partner in a firm to build a steam grist mill, subsequently becoming its sole owner. In 1837 occurred the death of the partner of his youth, a sad stroke to the enterprising pioneer. In 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Hill, daughter of the Rev. William Hill, of Virginia. They had five children, all of whom are living, and all comfortably situated in life. For many years he was a member of the Baptist Church, and an exemplary and honorable member. He was a fair type of the polished Kentuckian, and in the acquisition of his property the most honorable integrity marked his course among the more opulent farmers. His was a generous and liberal nature. In July, 1861, death again invaded his home, and Colonel Perry was called upon to perform the last sad rites for his second wife. In the Fall of 1864, he was nominated and elected, as the candidate of the Democratic party, to a seat in the Illinois Legislature. On the 2d day of October, 1872, he was married to his present wife, Mary, daughter of Martin Bowman, Esq., of Canollton. October 5, 1875, witnessed the death of Col. Nathaniel Perry, of paralysis, after a life of almost unexampled activity and very unusual success in accomplishing the worldly objects of which he aimed. Through his well directed energy all of his children are well provided for, our subject ranking among the wealthier agriculturists of Greene County, owning the homestead property; he is also the possessor of some 800 acres of valuable land. At one time in his career his name was put forward for county commissioner; having no ambition, however, in that direction he declined the office, subsequently filled by John H. Greene.