Hon. Theodore B. Perry

Hon. Theodore B. Perry, ex-State Senator, capitalist and attorney at law, of Albia, Iowa, is one of the most prominent citizens of this locality, and his life cannot fail to prove of interest to the readers of this volume. Success in any calling is an indication of close application, industry and faithfulness. There are few professions more honorable and few which offer better opportunities than does that of the law for the display, of character, sterling worth and ability. Though our subject lays claim to no particular honor for having fulfilled the obligations of his profession, his fellow citizens freely accord him a high place in the ranks of his fraternity, and attest their appreciation of his skill by a liberal patronage.

Mr. Perry is a native of Ohio. He was born in Cincinnati, on the 1st of April, 1832, and is a son of Lewis F. and Margaret (Nixon) Perry. The grandfather, Ruel Perry, was of English descent, and the maternal grandfather, John Nixon, was of Scotch descent. Lewis F. Perry was born in New Jersey, and his wife in Pennsylvania. He was a brick mason by occupation, and in 1850 removed with his family to Iowa, locating first in Burlington. He afterward resided a short time near Agency City, Wapello county. In the spring of 1851 he removed to Clark county, and soon after located on a tract of wild land, where he carried on general farming and stock-raising¸ making his home there until 1874, when he removed to Osceola. His remaining days were spent in that city, and his death occurred in 1886. His wife died in Osceola in 1885.

Our subject was the second in order of birth in their family of five children. He acquired his education through attendance in the common schools. In the fall of 1851 he went to Polk county and engaged in teaching school at a place called Linn Grove, near the city of Des Moines, and afterward taught at other places. In May, 1853, he came to Albia and commenced the study of law under the guidance of Judge John S. Townsend. The following year he was admitted to the bar, and has since been ranked among the most able members of the profession in this section of the State. In 1854 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Monroe county, and in 1858 was elected a member of the State Board of Education from the Second Judicial District. In the fall of 1891 he was elected to the Iowa State Senate from the Fifteenth Senatorial District, comprising Monroe and Marion counties. He took an active part in the discussion of a number of important bills and served on a number of important committees. He is a man of broad mind, of liberal policy, and places principle above partisanship.

Through all these years Mr. Perry has enjoyed a very extensive law practice. People do not place their legal business in unskilled hands; it is the man of ability who receives the public patronage. His large business therefore attests his superiority, and his fellow practitioners acknowledge that in him they meet a foeman worthy of their steel. He is a forceful speaker and logical reasoner. In addition to his law practice he is connected with the banking interests of Albia, which was organized in 1891. He is closely allied with the welfare of the city and doing all in his power to promote its upbuilding and advancement. He erected the Perry Block, which includes the opera house. He also has an elegant brick residence, surrounded by an extensive lawn. The cause of education has ever found him a warm friend, and with the exception of one year he has served as a member of the board since 1879. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat, and takes an active part in State and national political affairs.

In November, 1855, Mr. Perry was united in marriage with Miss Minerva Allison, who died in 1869, leaving a daughter, Florence, now the wife of S. W. Pennington, of Albia, who is cashier of the Albia State Bank. In October, 1870, Mr. Perry was again married, his second union being Amanda Craig¸ of Albia, a daughter of Dr. Thomas and Mary E Craig. Three children have been born of their union, two of whom are living—Grace and Theodore B.