Hon.Perry Logsdon
HON. PERRY LOGSDON, a citizen ofSchuyler county, is a man whose name is honored where it is known. He wasborn in Madison county, Kentucky, July 8, 1842, a son of Joseph and Lucy(Parker) Logsdon (see sketch of Joseph Logsdon). Until the age of eighteenyears he passed an uneventful life amid the scenes of his childhood, butthis quiet was then rudely disturbed by the breaking out of the Civil warbetween the North and South. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, FiftiethIllinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully until thecessation of hostilities, July 13. 1865, being the date of his discharge.He participated in every engagement of his company, and when the war wasended he returned to his home, with the rank of First Lieutenant.
Mr. Logsdon was married September 5, 1867,to Miss Lizzie Byers, who was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, March12, 1850, a daughter of William and Eleanor (Stutsman) Byers (see sketchof John S. Stutsman). Mr. Byers was born in the Bluegrass State, and removedto this county in 1847, where he spent his last days; the date of his birthis May 22, 1826, and his death occurred February 24, 1862; his wife wasborn August 23, 1828, in the State of Indiana. The paternal grandparentsof Mrs. Logsdon were John and Elizabeth Byers; he died in 1827, and shesurvived until 1857. After his marriage, Mr. Logsdon settled on land whichis a portion of his present farm the dwelling was a log house which wasraised the day General William Henry Harrison was inaugurated Presidentof the United States; there he lived six years, and then removed to hispresent home. He first bought 106 acres of choice land, to which he added120 acres later on; to this he added two eighty-acre tracts, and is nowthe owner of one of the most desirable farms in the county; a portion ofthis land is rented, and the rest is devoted to general farming.
To Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon have been born sevenchildren, four of whom are deceased:
Luella was born on the home farm, August5, 1869; Julia was born July 31, 1873; Charles P. was born January 6, 1880.Mr. Logsdon has for many years been identified with the political movementsof his county; he has been Assessor, was Supervisor two years, and hasbeen School Director; in 1884 he was elected a member of the State Legislature,and in 1888 was re-elected by a large majority. He is a Republican, butcarried a Democratic district. While a member of the Legislature he wason several committees of importance, among which were these on Penal andReformatory Institutions, Canals and Rivers, Insurance, Drainage, and FarmDrainage. He discharged his duties with marked ability, and such was thedignity and courtesy of his bearing as to command the respect of his alliesas well as opponents. Throughout all his career, Mr. Logsdon has bornehimself with a deep sense of honor which has insured a name above reproach,a credit to his ancestry and a legacy of great worth to his posterity.In the terrible conflict of this nation be was a brave, courageous soldier;in the private walks of life he has been as much the hero. He is a prominentmember of the G. A. R. at Rushville, and takes an active interest in thisorganization.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuylerand Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago,1892, pages 203-204.
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