Please note in part 1 there are two errors in the biography. J L L stated that his mother married Nathaniel D[avis] Terry in 1927. They were married 10 Feb 1829. He also said his mother [Catherine Gorin Terry] died in 1841. She died 29 June 1842 and is buried in the Terry Cemetery at Griderville KY (Barren Co). I have just a few comments on this biography. (1) note that he wrote his own biography, which was common, it was taken as the truth, and likely, due to his age, he got things mixed up once in a while. (2) even if you don't have a tie to this line, it will definitely show how the old pioneers REALLY lived - the hardships, privations and lack of education. (3) Reading his wanderings from state to state and from county to county within a state, is called a genealogist's nightmare in trying to find him! "On the marriage of his mother, J. L. L. returned home [Todd Co KY], but was soon afterward apprenticed to his uncle, S. P. Gorin, with whom he remained nine years, receiving only a few months' education. [Note: This is Sanford Pell Gorin, son of John Darns Gorin.] The day he was fifteen years of age, his uncle started to move to Illinois, accompanied by J. L. L. . On arriving at Vandalia, then capital of the State, Mr. Gorin concluded to make that his home. [Note: His uncle was a State Rep for IL and lived in Vandalia.] Here Mr. Terry says that he first felt his ignorance, the boys in whose company he was thrown taking considerable sport at his experience, but it was one of the best things that ever happened to him, for he resolved that he would not always be thus ignorant. He bought, borrrowed and read books, studied arithmetic and English grammar at night and on Sundays, and often being denied the use of a candle, resorted to the next best thing, that of bark and splinter lights. While it may be true that his education is limited in knowledge of books taught in the schools, he has endeavored to keep pace with the advancement of the times in general reading. "In 1835 Mr. Terry returned to Kentucky during the memorable excitement created by John A Murrill, the great western land pirate. Remaining in Kentucky two years, he then returned to Illinois, and in May of that year engaged with Gen. W. L. D. Ewing, as one of a surveying party, his contract being townships 74 and 75 north, of range 1 to 7 west, of the 5th principal meridian, a part of which is comprised in the county of Washington, Iowa. The General had such confidence in Mr. Terry and a young man by the name of Bowles, as to send them to St. Louis, Mo., to sell some half dozen horses to the United States dragoons, and with the proceeds to purchase the outfir for the trip, taking it to New Boston, Ill. After completing his surveying contract, Mr.Terry returned to Vandalia, Ill., and bought a small farm five miles from that place, which he cultivated during the following year, and in February, 1839, sold the same, and went to Washington, Ill. There he became acquainted with Miss Sarah J. Mounts, to whom he was married in July 1839. Previous to this time, however, but during the same year, he came to Washington County, Iowa, and built a house on the southwest quarter of section 21, township 75, range 6. "After his marriage, Mr. Terry remained in Illinois until the spring of 1840, and in March of that year went to Burlington, Iowa, to attend the land sales. After remaining a week the sales were indefinitely postponed. Being somewhat discouraged, he returned to Illinois and sold his claim in Washington County Iowa, to R. W. Burton, leasing a farm for three years near where the village of Eureka, Ill., is now situated. He lived there when Woodford County was organized, and was elected Justice of the Peace at the first election held in that county, which office, he thinks, has haunted him ever since. In October, 1844, he repurchased his old claim in Iowa, and moved upon it during the same month. His first cabin was sixteen feet square, and the one room was kitchen, bedroom and parlor, the furniture consisting of a Jackson bedstead, one post and hickory withes for cord, and a dry-goods box for a table. On this farm he remained four years, but on account of the poor prospects for educating his children, he sold it for a trifle and moved to Washington, where, in company with A. J. Disney, he started the first harness-shop in that place. "In 1849 Mr. Terry was elected Clerk of the County Commissioner's Court, which office he held two years, when the law was changed to the county judge system. In 1852 he went to Richmond, English River Township, in this county, where he engaged in the harness trade for several yars, then went into the dry-goods trade, and afterward in the tanning, harness and saddlery trade, and there remained until August, 1863, when he returned to Washington. When the war broke out, Mr. Terry took a great interest in securing enlistments and in aid of the soldiers in the field. Among others to enlist was his oldest son, J. H. Terry, who enlisted in Co. E., 10th Iowa Vol. Inf., as a private, in August 1861, and in February, 1862, he was promoted over the Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant of his company, to which position he served till May 16, 1863, when, at the battle of Champion Hills, he fell, while gallantly elading his company in the charge. HIs remains were buried upon the battle-field, there to await the resurrection at the last day. Previous to this, he had participated in the battles of Farmington, Tenn., Iuka and Corinth, Miss., in which he had command of the company, his Captain acting as Major." To be concluded tomorrow. Sandi Col. Sandi Gorin - Publishing: http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/ GORIN worldconnect website: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/~sgorin