Biography - Peter Berrie
Peter BERRIE, retired farmer, P. O. Raymond, is a son of Thomas BERRIE, who was born in Pennsylvania, of English descent. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife, Susan LARK, was also a native of Pennsylvania; she died in 1823. The result of their union was twelve children, of whom Peter, the subject of this sketch, was the seventh child. As educational privileges were very much limited at that early day, his education was necessarily limited. His early life was spent in assisting his father in his agricultural pursuits. He remained at home until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he entered upon the battle of life with all the energy of a young man bound to make his way in the world. He engaged as a farm hand, near home, receiving but a small compensation for his labor. He soon tired of that occupation, and tried river life for a few months, but soon concluded that a farm life was preferable, and he again took upon himself the duties of a farm life, following in that occupation in different localities, and eventually came to Montgomery County, Ill., where he has since resided. In 1841, he purchased his first real estate, consisting of eighty acres of unimproved prairie land, to which he has continually added, until his farm now consists of about two hundred and twenty-five acres of choice farm and timber land. He has made all the improvements necessary for comfort and convenience, and has placed his farm in a high state of cultivation, and it will compare with any of the best improved farms in the county, and he is proud of the fact that, having started upon his career a poor boy, his present possessions represent the dollars earned by himself. He was married, December 15, 1841, to Mary J. CASS, who was born January 27, 1821, and died November 13, 1865. She bore him eight children, viz.: Adolphus, born May 26, 1843, and died July 15, 1864; Aurelius, born August 14, 1845, and died November 11, 1871; Isabelle, born July 7, 1848, and died February 25, 1853; Clarence, born November 17, 1850, and is still living; Florence, born March 8, 1853, and died January 26, 1875; Lockwood, born September 23, 1855, and died November 12, 1868; Mary, born May 14, 1859, and died in infancy; Chester, born December 17, 1861, and is still living. Mr. BERRIE was married again June 22, 1869, to Mary J. GUTHRIE, who was born in Charleston, Coles Col, Ill., November 16, 1843. She is the mother of one child, Fannie, born November 11, 1870, and died July 4. 1871. Mrs. BERRIE was a daughter of Green J. and Mary J. (VanDEREN) GUTHRIE, natives of Kentucky. He died in 1850; was a prominent merchant of Charleston, Ill.; she still living, at the age of sixty-one. She is the mother of five children, of whom Mrs. BERRIE was the second child. She is a lady possessing all the womanly graces. Mr. BERRIE is not a politician, but has always been identified with the Republican party. Although possessing all the energy and enterprise that has characterized all his efforts, he has retired from farm life, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 210.
