Prominent among the energetic, far-sighted and successful business men of Laramie is Frank J. Terry, a clothier and furnisher of men's wearing apparel. Watchful of every opportunity pointing toward success, he has so directed his interests and efforts as to win substantial results, while at the same time his interests have been of a character that has contributed to public prosperity and advancement.
    A native of Ohio, Mr. Terry was born in Cardington on the 12^th of August, 1871, and is a son of Chauncey E. Terry, who was likewise a native of the Buckeye state. The first American ancestor of the family was one of the Mayflower passengers. After residing for some time in New England representatives of the name went to Long Island and George B. Terry, the grandfather of Frank J. Terry, was the first of the family to settle in Ohio. His son, Chauncey E. Terry, as a young man, learned and followed blacksmithing. In later years he became a successful carriage manufacturer of Van Wert, Ohio, where he conducted a profitable business. His political endorsement was given to the republican party, in which he took an active interest, doing everything in his power to promote its growth and ensure its success. He served as sheriff of Morrow county and made an excellent record in office. At the present time he is living retired, residing upon his farm in Morrow county, that state. He married Clara E. Torrey, who was also born in Ohio and was of Scotch descent, her parents having settled in Ohio in pioneer times. She also survives.
    Frank J. Terry was the eldest in a family of ten children and at the usual age began his education in the public schools of Cardington, Ohio, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. He started out in the business world when a youth of eighteen years and was first engaged in the conduct of a restaurant in Cardington, which business he carried on successfully for three years. He then sold out and accepted employment in the clothing store of Joseph Kohnheimer at Cardington and in that connection became acquainted with all branches of the clothing trade, acquiring experience that has been of the greatest value to him since his arrival in Laramie. He took up his abode in Laramie on the 30^th of June, 1900. and entered the employ of W. H. Frazee, a leading clothier of this city, for whom he became buyer and manager of the clothing department. He continued with Mr. Frazee for eleven months and then entered into business with C. H. Woodruff under the firm style of Woodruff & Terry. The partnership between them continued for some time and the business was afterward incorporated under the style of the Woodruff & Terry Clothing & Shoe Company, Mr. Terry acting as secretary and treasurer, with Mr. Woodruff as president. The business was continued under that style until 1904, when the corporation was changed, Mr. Woodruff selling his interest to C. J. Vagner. The firm style of Terry & Vagner was then assumed and the business was so continued until 1911, when Mr. Terry sold his interest to Mr. Vagner and for a year was engaged in no active business. In 1912 he removed to Baker, Oregon, and opened a ladies' ready-to-wear clothing store, continuing the business until February, 1913. He then sold out and returned to Laramie, where he purchased his present store from E. Mosher, of Rawlins, Wyoming. This is by far the finest store of the kind in the state. He carries a very extensive stock of men's clothing and furnishings and the store is most attractive in its arrangement. The business methods of the house commend it to the patronage of the public and he has thus won for himself a most prominent and enviable position as a leading merchant of Laranfie.
    Mr. Terry was married at Mount Gilead, Ohio, to Miss Isabel Talmage, a native of Ohio and a daughter of F. A. and Margaret (Knox) Talmage and a relative of the renowned Dr. Talmage, the eminent divine. Mr. and Mrs. Terry have one son, Richard Talmage, who was born in Laramie, May 31, 1908.
    In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Terry are Episcopalians and he is a vestryman of St. Matthew's cathedral. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also has membership in the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is an earnest republican but when urged to become a candidate for office has always declined, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, which, wisely directed, have brought him to the creditable position which he now occupies. His interests have always been most capably conducted. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to every-day commonsense, are his chief characteristics. Justice has ever been maintained in his relations to patrons and employes. He has been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity, and from the beginning has had an abiding faith in the ultimate success of his enterprise. Moreover, he is a public-spirited citizen, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his adopted state.