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 ETER FURRY, a substantial farmer residing in Pleasant Grove Township, is one of the pioneers of Coles County, his residence here dating from the year 1839. He was born June 14, 1817, in York County, Pa., and is the son of Peter and Barbara (Sherick) Furry. His family is of French extraction, although its members have for several generations been residents of the United States. Peter Furry was born in Adams County, Md., just adjoining the State of Pennsylvania. His wife’s family were remotely of Swiss ancestry, and her parents were residents of Lancaster County, Pa., where she was born. Mr. Furry’s marriage took place in Richland County, Ohio, where they were engaged in farming until 1839, when he removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Coles County. Mr. and Mrs. Furry were swept away by the scourge of cholera, which prevailed in 1851, only four days intervening between the death of each. They had a family of nine children born to them, two of whom died in infancy, seven grew to maturity, and three are now living Peter, Polly and George. Peter Furry passed his boyhood and youth in the States of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Illinois in 1839, settling in Coles County in the vicinity of his present residence. In 1845 he purchased four yoke of oxen and removed to Wisconsin, where he engaged in hauling goods between the lead mines of that region and the city of Milwaukee. He passed through Chicago, which was then a small village with grass growing in the streets. He did not continue in this business long, however, and after his return home was married, Jan. 27, 1850, to Miss Alvira White. Mrs. Furry is the daughter of James D. and Lucindn (Goldman) White. Her parents were among the early settlers of Coles County and she was born here Jan. 27, 1833. After his marriage Mr. Furry purchased land in Pleasant Grove Township, and in 1 860 located where he now resides. Since making his first purchase he has given his attention exclusively to farming, and now owns 121 acres of valuable, well-improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Furry have become the parents of ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Their only son, George, a promising young man, died Jan. 19, 1887, at the age of eighteen. The record of the others is as follows: Lucy Ann is the wife of Martin Brady; Amanda E. became the wife of Warren C. Butler, and the mother of one son, Byron; her husband served in the Civil War, and his death occurred in 1882. Mary A. is the wife of John V. Summer; Ellena E. was married to Charles James; Susan Florence is the wife of D. Gray; Allie and Pearl E. With his wife, Mr. Furry belongs to the Baptist Church. He is not actively interested in politics, and does not aspire to public office, but he always sustains the Republican party, and has served as a member of the School Board. |
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