Elry Channing Petrie

Surnames: Garter, Gott, Holcomb, Olt, Perkins, Ransome, Turner

Regions: Herkimer Co., NY; Jefferson and Walworth Co., WI

From History of Walworth County Wisconsin, Vol. 1, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, publ. 1912 - Page 721-722 ELRY CHANNING PETRIE. Conspicuous among the representative agriculturists and stock men of Walworth county is Elry Channing PETRIE, of Geneva township. He has made his influence felt for good in his community, his life having been closely interwoven with its history for a number of years. His efforts have been for the material advancement of the same as well as for the social and civic uplift of his fellow men, and the well regulated life he has led, thereby gaining the respect and admiration of all with whom he has come into contact, entitles him to representation in a work of the nature of the one in hand. Mr. PETRIE was born at Concord, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on December 5, 1855, and is the son of Jost D. PETRIE, Jr. and Florinda (HOLCOMB) PETRIE. The father was born in Herkimer county, New York, and he came to Wisconsin among the first settlers, and entered land from the government in Jefferson county, near Concord. He was the son of Jost and Anna (GARTER) PETRIE. The family is of German descent. The subject's grandfather PETRIE was a general in the Revolutionary war, and he had a brother, George PETRIE, who also was an officer in the patriot army. The former died in the state of New York. Jost D. PETRIE came west in later life, his mother also making the trip and here she spent the balance of her life. Florinda HOLCOMB was born in Medina county, Ohio, and was the daughter of Webster and Abigail (PERKINS) HOLCOMB. This family came to Concord, Jefferson county, during the forties being among the very first settlers. Both Jost D. PETRIE and Webster HOLCOMB took up their land when this country was heavily timbered and settlers were few. They went to work with determination, and in due course of time had cleared the land, put it under cultivation and had good homes. They underwent the usual hardships and privation of pioneers. Jost D. PETRIE was prominent in public affairs, and a loyal Republican. He was a member of the Wisconsin Assembly for two terms, in 1861 and 1867, where he made a splendid record, and he also held a number of other minor offices within the gift of the people, always with eminent satisfaction to all concerned. He moved to Oregon in 1882 where he made his home until his death, in June 1911, his wife having preceded him to the grave in February 1905. Elry C. PETRIE, of this sketch, grew to manhood at Concord, and he attended the Normal school at Whitewater. In 1880 he began farming for himself on rented land. In 1890 he bought the farm where he now lives in section 2, Geneva township, Walworth county, but he did not move here until two years later. Since 1892 this has been the scene of his labors, and he has placed this excellent farm under a high state of cultivation and improvement and has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser having been much interested in raising Holstein cattle, and he keeps a splendid herd. Politically, Mr. PETRIE is a Republican, and takes an interest in public affairs of his community and he is at present a member of the township board. Mr. PETRIE was married in 1876 to Mary A. RANSOME, daughter of Harvey I. and Sallie Ann (NOYSE) RANSOME. She was born in Concord, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where she was reared and educated and there remained until her marriage. Her father was from Cattaraugus county, New York, and he took up land from the government and was one of the well known pioneers here. Her mother was born in Canada and she died when Mrs. RANSOME was a little girl. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. PETRIE, namely: Winnie C. died when eight years old; Avery C. died in infancy; Mertron E. and Lottie E. are at home with their father. Mrs. PETRIE's death occurred in November 1892 and in November 1898, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Nora L. TURNER, widow of Frank TURNER, deceased. She was the daughter of John and Myra (GOTT) OLP, and she was born and reared in Lyons township, this county. Her parents came from New York and settled here in an early day. The father was born in Genesee county, New York, and he was the son of Jacob OLP and wife, an excellent old family there. To Mr. and Mrs. PETRIE one child has been born, Jost. C. Mrs. PETRIE had one son by her first marriage, Charles L. TURNER.

Submitted by Carol