Perry, William

WILLIAM PERRY, eldest son of Moses and Sarah Perry, was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in January, 1792; he came to Venango county with his parents before the dawn of the present century and spent the remainder of his life in Scrubgrass township. He was twice married, first to a daughter of James Anderson, who died without issue; as his second wife he married Elizabeth Craig, a daughter of James Craig. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom, four sons and three daughters, grew to maturity; only two of these are now living: Mrs. Norman Patterson and Mrs. R.K. McBride. Mr. Perry was a man of recognized ability, and a prominent figure in local public affairs fifty years ago. In 1838 he was elected on the Democratic ticket county commissioner, and several years afterward he represented Venango county in the legislature. He was a substantial, well informed man, and is still kindly remembered by a large circle of friends. He died upon his farm in Scrubgrass township April 29, 1877, in his eighty-sixth year. His son, William Perry, Jr., survived him ten years and died on the old homestead, now the property of Miss Elizabeth Riddle, June 21, 1887.