Theodore B. Perry

Theodore B. Perry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 1, 1832, and acquired his education in the common schools of that city. He came to Iowa in 1850, locating at Burlington. For several years he taught school in the counties of Wapello, Polk, Warren, Madison and Monroe. During these years he read law and was admitted to the bar at Albia in 1854. This became his permanent home where he has since followed his profession. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Monroe County in 1854. In 1858 he was chosen a member of the State Board of Education, serving three terms, or during the entire period of its existence. Among his colleagues on the board, he was associated with Governor Ralph P. Lowe, Samuel J. Kirkwood, Nicholas J. Rusch, Oran Faville and John R. Needham. In 1891 he was elected to the State Senate from the district consisting of the counties of Monroe and Marion, serving in the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth General Assemblies. he was an influential member of the Senate and the author of some of the most important legislation during his term of service. Mr. Perry has been a life-long Democrat and one of the trusted leaders of his party in Iowa.