HON. PERRY LOGSDON, a citizen of Schuyler county, is a man whose name is honored where it is known. He was born in Madison county, Kentucky, July 8, 1842, a son of Joseph and Lucy (Parker) Logsdon (see sketch of Joseph Logsdon). Until the age of eighteen years he passed an uneventful life amid the scenes of his childhood, but this quiet was then rudely disturbed by the breaking out of the Civil war between the North and South. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully until the cessation of hostilities, July 13, 1865, being the date of his discharge. He participated in every engagement of his company, and when the war was ended he returned to his home, with the rank of First Lieutenant.

Mr. Logsdon was married September 5, 1867, to Miss Lizzie Byers, who was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, March 12, 1850, a daughter of William and Eleanor (Stutsman) Byers (see sketch of John S. Stutsman). Mr. Byers was born in the Blue-grass State, and removed to this county in 1847, where he spent his last days; the date of his birth is May 22, 1826, and his death occurred February 24, 1862; his wife was born August 23, 1828, in the State of Indiana. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Logsdon were John and Elizabeth Byers; he died in 1827, and she survived until 1857. After his marriage, Mr. Logsdon settled on land which is a portion of his present farm; the dwelling was a log house which was raised the day General William Henry Harrison was inaugurated President of the United States; there he lived six years, and then removed to his present home. He first bought 106 acres of choice land, to which he added 120 acres later on; to this he added two eighty-acre tracts, and is now the owner of one of the most desirable farms in the county; a portion of this land is rented, and the rest is devoted to general farming.

To Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon have been born seven children, four of whom are deceased: Luella was born on the home farm, August 5, 1869; Julia was born July 31, 1873; Charles P. was born January 6, 1880. Mr. Logsdon has for many years been identified with the political movements of his county; he has been Assessor, was Supervisor two years, and has been School Director; in 1884 he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and in 1888 was re-elected by a large majority. He is a Republican, but carried a Democratic district. While a member of the Legislature he was on several committees of importance, among which were those on Penal and Reformatory Institutions, Canals and Rivers, insurance, Drainage, and Farm Drainage. He discharged his duties with marked ability, and such was the dignity and courtesy of his bearing as to command the respect of his allies as well as opponents. Throughout all his career, Mr. Logsdon has borne himself with a deep sense of honor which has insured a name above reproach, a credit to his ancestry and a legacy of great worth to his posterity. In the terrible conflict of this nation he was a brave, courageous soldier; in the private walks of life he has been as much the hero. He is a prominent member of the G.A.R. at Rushville, and takes an active interest in this organization.