These two brothers, who are stated as born in Kirkcudbright (not confirmed), went with their parents to America in 1857.

James & William Perry, Kirkcudbright and Whatcom, Washington.

James B. Perry

No state in the Union can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Washington. In their courage, intelligence, capacity and loyalty to the right they have had no superiors. Many of them came from Scotland, and in their daring and heroism they have been equal to the Missouri and California argonauts. Their privations, hardships and earnest labors have resulted in establishing one of the foremost commonwealths in the Union and one which has still greater possibilities before it. A member of this worth band was James B. Perry, who has passed on to higher scenes of action but whose memory rests like a blessed benediction on all who knew him. Mr. Perry was a native of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, his birth occurring on the 11th of August, 1843, and he was a son of William and Elizabeth (Beck) Perry. His parents brought their family to the United States in 1857 and settled at Peoria, Illinois, where the father established a blacksmith shop, which he ran for several years. Later, with his sons, he bought a farm, on which they lived until 1876, when they came to Whatcom county and took up a homestead at Van Buren, three miles north of Everson, and here the parents spent the remaining years of their lives, the father dying in 1893 and the mother in 1899. Of the seven children who blessed their union, two are living: Mrs. Isabel Harper, of Portland, Oregon; and Andrew, of Cottage Grove, Oregon.

James B. Perry accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States and remained with them until after they came to Washington. Soon after their arrival here, he "squatted" on a tract of land on the river near Nooksack, but, the land being unsurveyed, he gave it up two years later. He then took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres near Sumas, the land being partly swamp and the remainder covered with heavy timber and brush. He first built a small house of "shakes," and then began clearing the tract, a laborious task, but which was eventually accomplished. He developed there a valuable and fertile farm, on which he spent the remaining years of his life, his death occurring December 5, 1898. His life most happily illustrated what one may accomplish by faithful and persistent effort, even in the face of discouraging circumstances. He was a man of absolute honesty, persistent energy and sound judgment and was regarded as one of the community's best citizens. He was the architect of his own fortune, and on his record there appears no blemish, for he was true to his highest ideals. He was a faithful husband, a kind and loving father, a public-spirited citizen and a true and loyal friend, and he commanded to a marked degree the respect and confidence of the entire community.

On December 18, 1873, Mr. Perry was married to Miss Emily Fry, who was born and reared in Peoria, Illinois, a daughter of George H. and Elizabeth (Lee) Fry. Her parents were both natives of England but came to this country locating in Peoria. Both are now deceased, the father dying in Oregon and the mother in Illinois. They were the parents of three children: Phoebe E., Annabel and Emily, (Mrs. Perry), who is the only survivor. To Mr. and Mrs. Perry were born nine children, namely: James H., who lives near Sumas; Charles A., who also lives near Sumas; Mrs. Emily E. Bublitz, who lives in Tacoma, Washington; Ellis L., who lives in Oregon, is married and has six children - Carol, Elsie, James, Vail, Vernon and a baby; Mrs. Edith May Minaker, the first white girl to be born in Sumas, who lives in British Columbia, and is the mother of eight children - Ellis, Esten, Clarence, Charles, Lewis, Ira, Harold and a baby; Ira B., who lives at Sumas; Lester, of Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Esther E. Tyner, of Sumas; and Mrs. Anna V. Satterlee, of Laurel, Whatcom county, who is the mother of two children, Wilbert and Betty.

Mrs. Perry now lives with her three unmarried sons, James, Charles and Ira, on their eighty acre farm, two and a half miles east of Sumas. Despite her age she is comparatively active and is still able to keep house for her sons. She is a typical pioneer, and she tells many interesting incidents of the early days in this locality, in the settlement of which she bore her full share. She was the first white woman to settle in Sumas and was there six months before she saw another white woman. She assisted her husband in making the "shakes" of which their first home was made, and also made practically all of the furniture which went into that pioneer home. Indians and wild animals were numerous and sometimes their lives were anything but peaceful, because of the constant danger from both of these sources. Through all those early years she nobly seconded her husband's heroic efforts and uncomplainingly endured hardships and privations that would utterly discourage the average woman of today. She possesses splendid personal qualities, is kindly and hospitable and is held in the highest esteem by all who know her.

The farm on which Mrs. Perry and her sons live is a fine piece of land, fertile and well cultivated, and returns fine crops of hay and grain. They keep seventeen good grade Jersey cows and two pure bred cows, as well as a pure bred sire. The sons are practical farmers, adopting modern methods, and the success which they are achieving is well deserved. They are all well educated, being graduates of the Sumas high school, James also attending the State Normal School at Bellingham. He likewise taught school for four years, in the Columbia valley, Whatcom county. He and Charles are members of the Whatcom County Dairymen's Association. Ira has taken an active part in local public affairs and has served for the past four years as township assessor. They are men of high character, industrious habits and fine public spirit and are highly respected throughout the community where they live.

History of Whatcom County Volume 2, Lottie Roeder Roth, pub. 1926, pgs. 538-539

William A. Perry.

Wonderful indeed has been the transformation effected in Washington, and particularly in Whatcom county, since it was first beheld by the late W. Allan Perry, one of its honored pioneers and for many years a worthy and influential citizen. When this sterling individual cast his lot here he found a wide-spreading wilderness, still the haunts of various species of wild animals; but, being a man of courage and foresight, he underwent the hardships and trials incident to life in a new country and in the course of time found abundant vindication of his judgment. He was a man whom all admired for his honesty, courage, hospitality and public spirit, and he is eminently deserving of a place in the permanent record of the annals of his country.

Mr. Perry was a native of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, born on the 6th of March, 1851, and he died June 21, 1919, at the age of sixty-eight years. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Beck) Perry, were both natives of the south of Scotland, whence they came to the United States in 1853, settling in Illinois. The father was a blacksmith by trade and established a shop near Peoria, Illinois, which he ran until 1876, when he came to Washington and located a homestead on Barnes' prairie, three miles north of Everson. There were then no roads in that locality, and his land was densely covered with timber and brush, so that the prospect was not a very inviting one. His first act was the building of a small log cabin, which is still standing. He cleared part of the tract and continued to cultivate the land until his death, which occurred January 19, 1893. He was survived for a number of years by his widow, who died in March, 1901. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are now living: Mrs. Agnes Kirkman, deceased; James B., deceased; Mary, who died in infancy in Scotland, as did the next child, Andrew; Mrs. Elizabeth Vanover, who died in Oregon; Mrs. Isabel Harper, who lives in Portland, Oregon; W. Allan, the subject of this memoir; Andrew, who lives in Oregon; and Mrs. Mary Duncan, deceased.

W. Allan Perry accompanied his parents on their immigration to this country and remained with them in Illinois until 1874, when he came to Washington, stopping first at Seattle, at which time it was but a small town. He was employed for a time as an engineer in a sawmill and then went to British Columbia and worked on the construction of a tunnel at Yale for the Canadian Pacific railroad, after which he returned to Seattle and became a member of the city fire department as engineer of Engine Company No. 1. He held that position for twelve years and then, in the fall of 1889, he came to the Nooksack valley and took personal charge of a ranch that he had previously purchased from his father, and there he resided continuously up to the time of his death. He made a number of excellent improvements on the place, including the erection of a fine, modern house in 1908 and a substantial barn in 1915. He was a good farmer, practical and methodical in all of his operations, doing thoroughly and well all that he undertook, and he won an enviable reputation among his fellow citizens.

Mr. Perry was married, in December, 1886, to Miss Marie Strache, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Gottlieb and Charlotte Strache, both of whom also were natives of that country. The father came to the United States in 1872, coming at once to Whatcom county, where he lived about a year, his death occurring in September, 1873. His wife survived him for many years, her death occurring in January, 1911. They were the parents of six children, the three first born being deceased: Carl, Mary and Ernest; Leibrecht, who is retired and lives in Portland, Oregon; Frederick; and Marie, Mrs. Perry. To Mr. and Mrs. Perry were born six children, namely: Roderic D., who was born at Seattle, November 26, 1887, and is now at home operating the home farm of one hundred and seventeen acres; Charlotte Elizabeth, who died February 16, 1920; Mary Agnes, who was graduated from the Nooksack high school, the State Normal School at Bellingham and the University of Washington, at Seattle, and is now vice principal of the Fairhaven high school; Mrs. Isabel Lois Neill, who lives at Yakima, Washington; Ollysum, who was graduated from the Nooksack high school, taught school for two years and is now attending the State Normal School at Bellingham; and William S., who is a graduate of the Nooksack high school and is now attending the normal school. Roderic D. Perry is managing the home farm in a manner that has won for him the commendation of his fellow citizens. He pays considerable attention to dairying.

W. Allan Perry was a man of culture and education, and his knowledge was secured chiefly through his own efforts. He was a close and thoughtful reader and a keen observer of men and events, becoming well and accurately informed on a wide range of subjects. He was a writer of more that ordinary ability and frequently contributed article to "Forest and Stream," as well as to other leading magazines. The beginning of his career was characterized by hard work and honest endeavor and he owed his success entirely to his own initiative and efforts. A man of great native ability, stanch patriotism, invincible courage, high personal character and keen business instincts, he won not only material success but also the absolute confidence and respect of those about him.

History of Whatcom County Volume 2, Lottie Roeder Roth, pub. 1926, pgs. 140-141

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