Richard Perry, York Twp., Ontario - origins Tiverton, Devon

From the book,"Title Commemorative biographical record of the county of York, Ontario : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early settled families, illustrated."
Publisher Toronto : J.H. Beers 1907
Pages 489-490

RICHARD PERRY, now living retired on St. Clair avenue, was for a number of years engaged in market gardening in Bracondale, York township. Mr. Perry is a native of England, born in the town of Tiverton, Devonshire, July 6, 1852, son of Richard and Mary A. (Quant) Perry, the former of whom was born in Devonshire in 1822 and the latter in 1819. Richard Perry and his wife both died at the old home in Devonshire, where they had followed agricultural pursuits all of their lives, Mr. Perry passing away in 1883, and Mrs. Perry in 1871. They were consistent members of the Church of England, in the faith of which both died.

Richard Perry was the eldest son in his father's family of five children. He received a fair education in the schools of his native country, where he grew to manhood, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1873, Mr. Perry left London for Canada on the ship "Delta," arriving in Toronto July 27th of that year. Here he engaged with a farmer for one year, receiving $150 for his work. Leaving him to go to work for James Scrivener, of Eglinton, he later became manager for Captain Jessop, with whom he continued for three years, during which time he purchased his present home, which he rented out for seven years. In the meanwhile he became manager for James Lesslie, of Eglinton. in April, 1883, taking possession of his own property at Bracondale, where he has since made his home.

In August, 1878, Mr. Perry was married to Miss Sarah A. Rogers, born Aug. 13, 1853, at Rushton, Dorsetshire, England, daughter of Stephen and Lucy Rogers, who came from England in May, 1874, to Bracondale, where Mr.
Rogers still resides. His wife died in Bracondale. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, George and Sarah A. George Rogers, a farmer of Alberta, married Mary, the daughter of Rev. William Lomas, at Bracondale, and has eight children. Sarah A., who became Mrs. Perry, was well educated in the College of England under the instruction of the late Thomas II. Bastard, a barrister, of England, who died aged 101 years and ten months.

Mr. Perry erected his present home in 1885, Mrs. Perry laying the corner-stone thereof. Until October, 1904, Mr. Perry carried on market gardening, in which he was very successful, and he now has one of the finest properties in Bracondale. At the present time be is engaged in erecting four houses on his property, which he intends to rent. This land was formerly owned by the Turner Estate.

In 1874 Mr. Perry assisted one brother and one sister to come to Canada, and they are now situated as follows: Emma is the wife of William Guetschow, a railroad employee, of Chicago, and has one daughter, Florence. William H., born in England in 1855, is engaged in farming in East York ; he married Miss Annie Goulding, daughter of Charles Goulding, and by her had two sons, Charles and Frederick; he married for his second wife Bella Sproul, of Toronto, and has five children by this union, Irving, Gertrude, Wildred, Amy and Richard E.

John, born in 1858, came to Canada in 1878, assisted by his brother Richard, and here married Miss Mary Brown, of London; and they reside on a farm near York Mills, and have three children, Alice, Edith and Frank.

Mary A., born in England in 1860, came to Canada with her brother John in 1878, and married John Guetschow, who for some years was a barber of Chicago, but is now agent for the Carter White Lead Company, at Montreal, Canada ; they have one son, Robert Herman.

In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Perry are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Perry has been one of the most active and liberal church workers in his community ever since his arrival here. He was one of the founders
of the New Zion Methodist Church, for which he gave the land upon which it stands, has been treasurer of the church for eighteen years, a teacher in the Sabbath school for fifteen years, is a member of the Quarterly
Board, a trustee, and has also been steward and choir leader. He has been the recipient of many handsome testimonials from the members of the congregation, who have chosen this way to show their affection for Mr. Perry and their appreciation of his constant and selfsacrificing labors in behalf of the church. In his political affiliations Mr. Perry has supported the principles of the Conservative party, but he has never aspired to public recognition.

Mr. Perry is a real type of the self-made man. On landing in Canada he was the possessor of only sixty cents in money, but he had several thousand dollars' worth of energy, a willing heart, and well-formed ideas of honesty, industry and economy. These have been his leading characteristics throughout life. A public-spirited citizen, capable business man and good, Christian gentleman, he has the respect and esteem of the entire community in whose midst he has spent the best years of his life.