Alexander Wilson Perry |
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ALEXANDER W. PERRY landed in Texas with his wife and three children in 1844 and located in Dallas county near where he now lives. He is a man possessing keen observation and good judgment; and to these qualities, combined with his energetic disposition, may be attributed his success in life. He brought with him to this county two teams and three extra horses, and upon his arrival here had $30 in money. Taking a headright under the Peters colony, he at once began the work of developing a farm. This country was then sparsely settled, there being only seven families within a radius of five or six miles. The Indians were numerous and frequently caused much trouble. Mr. Perry, however, was always on his guard, and while others suffered from the depredations of the Red men he did not. In the fall of 1866, the Indians came into the settlement and stole a number of horses. A small company of white men followed them, killing three Indians and recovering four houses. The pioneers always carried their guns when they went to work in the timber. Mr. Perry went after a load of wood one morning and forgot his gun. He was accompanied by his little boy and his dog. The latter treed a bear and three cubs, and Mr. Perry told his boy to stay there while he went for his gun; but the child objected, and accompanied his father to the house. Mr. Perry secured his gun and returned; he killed the old bear, but the cubs escaped. The year following his arrival here he raised a good crop, enough for himself and to spare, and has ever since had plenty. The crop of 1890 was the lightest since he came to Texas. The country then abounded in game and Mr. Perry supplied his larder by the use of his gun. Wolves were plentiful and frequently very annoying. At one time a wolf attacked his dog and was about to make way with the animal when Mr. Perry took off a single-tree and killed the wolf. Bear and buffalo were also plentiful. Ever since he came here Mr. Perry has been engaged in the stock business, raising both cattle and horses. His fancy, however, has been more for horses, and each year he raises and sells a large herd. In all matters pertaining to stock his opinion is frequently sought and always valued. He keeps a fine stallion and jack, also a Durham bull. Sometime in 1850 or '52 Mr. Perry sold his headright, and in 1853, bought the farm on which he now lives, comprising at that time 800 acres. he afterward sold portions of it and bought other land; has given farms to eight of his children, and at this writing still owns 800 acres. All of his children are settled around him, within three miles of the home place. Mr. Perry was one of the partners that built the Trinity mills; subsequently disposed of his interest in that property. He was the original owner of the town site of Carrollton; laid off and sold lots, and now owns land all around the town; gave land to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad for depot purposes. While he has about 185 acres under cultivation and is engaged in general farming, he gives his chief attention to the raising of horses and mules. Mr. Perry's, father, Franklin Perry, was born in Virginia, October 3, 1779. He moved to Kentucky, then to Indiana, and from there to Illinois. He was called Captain, but how he received that title is not known. He was by trade a stone-mason; was, however, engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. Of his ancestors nothing is known more than that they were of English descent. While in Kentucky he married Miss Rebecca Harbeston, who was born in that State, November 15, 1776, and died in Illinois, during the Civil war. The father died there about 1835. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Sally, born July 6, 1802; Eliza, born December 5, 1803; Malinda, born September 9, 1805; Western, born May 6, 1807, came to Texas in 1846 and died about 1870; Mary J., born June 9, 1809; Franklin, February 9, 1811; Rebecca, February 17, 1813; Middleton, December 15, 1814, came to Texas in 1844 and is now residing near Lancaster, Dallas county; Roderick, born August 7, 1817; and Alexander W., the youngest of the family, born in Illinois, November 26, 1819. Alexander W. Perry was married January 9, 1840, in Illinois, to Sarah Huffman, who was born January 11, 1824, daughter of William Huffman. Her father, a Kentuckian, went from that State to Illinois, where he was engaged in farming and were his death occurred. This happy union resulted in the birth of fourteen children, vix.: Margaret E., born September 25, 1840; Rebecca A., January 7, 1842; William F., December 16, 1843; Mary L., February 23, 1846; Harriet M., August 30, 1848; Alexander, December 25, 1850; Sanford C., November 1, 1852; John H. and Sarah (twins), March 5 and 6, 1855; DeWitt C., January 10, 1858; Wade H., February 15, 1860; Carry H., May 9, 1862; Louria D., November 25, 1864; Roxanna, February 15, 1867. Alexander W. died January 29, 1852; Rebecca January 7, 1860; Mary L., February 7, 1860; Sarah J., November 7, 1863; Commodore Perry was killed December 19, 1875; and Carry H. died November 23, 1881. Eight are yet living, all married and settled near the old homestead. Mr. Perry has been a member of the Grange and Farmers' Alliance. Politically, he is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which he is a Deacon. Such is a brief outline of the life of one of Dallas county's wealthy and influential citizens. Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas, Chicago; The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892, pg 836 |
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