JOHN W. TERRY (son) Among the leading old-timers in Brown county, Nebraska, the gentleman above named deserves a prominent place. He is well known all through this section, and has built up a fine estate through his industry and perseverance, gaining the esteem and respect of his fellowmen. Mr. Terry was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 24, 1854. His father, James Terry, was a carpenter by trade, of English birth, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Marshall, both born and reared in England, their marriage occurring in that country shortly before coming to America. They had a family of seven children, of whom our subject is the third member. They settled on a farm in Washington county, Wisconsin, and remained there up to 1874, when they moved to Nebraska, locating in York, and later in Seward and Saunders counties. Our subject attended school at Hartford, Wisconsin, remaining under the parental roof tree until the spring of 1882, when he started out for himself, coming to Brown county and taking up a homestead in the northwest quarter of section 9, township 30, range 23. He drove through from Saunders county, with his wife, and after being here for a time made another trip there, and brought his parents to this place. His first dwelling was a sod shanty, and later a dugout in which the family lived for some time. He had only one team and a cow to start with. Like others, he saw hard times during the drouth (sic) periods, losing entire crops, and for several years was unable to raise anything. The only loss he ever suffered from hail was twenty acres of grain in 1903. After the dry years had passed he began to get ahead and gradually improved his place, adding to his acreage until he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of good land, with two hundred and twenty-five of this cultivated. He has put up good buildings, has a complete set of modern farming machinery, and everything is fitted up for running a model farm. Mr. Terry was married December 24, 1880, to Miss Amanda Bowlar, daughter of Archibald Bowlar, an old settler of Lancaster county, Nebraska. Six children have been born of this marriage, who are named as follows: Archie L., Clyde E., Emma E., Jesse, LeRoy A. and Frank R. In 1897 Mr. Terry was elected county commissioner, and re-elected in 1900, serving in all five years. He has served on the school board for a number of years, and takes an active interest in all matters that tend to the betterment of conditions in his locality. He is an independent voter, with leanings toward the Republican party. The family are all members of the United Brethren church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
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1851
Arrival: 3 Jun 1851 Port of Departure: Liverpool, England Port of Arrival: New York, New York Ship Name: Jacob A Westervelt
New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-195
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1904
Death of wife Mary
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