My Genealogy Hound

W. M. Terry, collector of Franklin County, and one of the leading citizens of Union, the county seat, was born in St. Louis County, fourteen miles west from the city of St. Louis, July 31, 1828, and is the son of Benjamin D. and Mary (Jump) Terry. The father was born in Rutherford County, N. C, February 14, 1784, and was the son of William Terry. Benjamin Terry emigrated from North Carolina to Missouri, settling in St. Louis County, in 1802. He was a farmer by occupation, and served in the War of 1812. In recognition of the service thus rendered he was given a land warrant for 160 acres of land in Missouri. He removed to Franklin County, in 1832, where he lived a long and useful life, his death occurring February 21, 1857. He was a member of the Baptist Church. The mother was born on the Cumberland River, in Kentucky, January 12, 1793, and was the daughter of Peter Jump, who was a native Kentuckian, and who removed to Missouri in the early part of the present century. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in Franklin County, March, 1864. To the parents eleven children were born, of whom our subject was the eighth. He was reared on the farm and acquired a limited education. He remained at home until August, 1864, when he enlisted in Company D, Forth-seventh Missouri Regiment of Infantry of which he was color-bearer. He served until April, 1865, and was then mustered out at St. Louis. He returned to the farm in Franklin County, where he remained until his election, as a Republican, to the office of sheriff of Franklin County, in the fall of 1880, and then removed to Union. He was re-elected in 1882, and in 1884 was elected county collector. In 1886 he was re-elected collector, and holds that office at the present, discharging the duties in a faithful and efficient manner. January 1, 1857, he married Miss Elizabeth Boothe, a native of Iowa, born May 18, 1841, and the daughter of James Boothe. To this marriage three children have been born, one now living. Mrs. Terry died May 14, 1863, and in November, 1866, Mr. Terry took for his second wife Miss Mary A. Link, a native of Franklin County, Mo., born December 7, 1841, and the daughter of Henry Link (deceased). To this union nine children have been born, six now living. Mr. Terry is a member of the Baptist Church, and of Wilhelma Post, No. 344, G. A. R.; also a member of Union Lodge, No. 173, A. F. and A. M. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.