Bennington

PERRY, Crosby Alpheus

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 337-338 (portrait p 337)

Crosby Alpheus PERRY, M. D., a prominent physician of Readsboro [Bennington 
County], Vermont, was born 01 March 1838 in Concord [Essex County], Vermont, 
a son of the late Micah and Susan (WOODBURY) PERRY. He comes of 
Revolutionary stock on both the paternal and maternal sides, and has the 
distinction of being the youngest soldier of the Revolution in the state. He 
has inherited the patriotic zeal that characterized his ancestors, and is 
himself a veteran of the Civil War.

Micah PERRY, one of the youngest soldiers in the Continental army, was born 
in 1760, and was a soldier in the patriot army at the age of sixteen. At 
the same time there enlisted in the same command as his father, Benjamin 
PERRY, and Jonathan WOODBURY, Dr. PERRY's maternal grandfather. All were in 
the battle of Bennington, served throughout the war and survived. Micah 
PERRY was twice married, and while his first wife was living he resided in 
Royalston [Worcester County], Massachusetts. They had ten children. 
Subsequently settling in Concord [Essex County], Vermont, he [Micah PERRY] 
there carried on general farming until his death in 1840, at the age of 
eighty years. His second wife, Susan WOODBURY, was born and brought up in 
Concord, Vermont, the home of her father, who was a soldier in the 
Revolution, and also fought in the War of 1812. She was one of a family of 
fourteen daughters, and she reared eleven children, of whom but three 
survive: (1) Jackson M. PERRY, an agriculturalist, who resides on the 
homestead farm in Concord [Vermont], which tract has been in the family for 
one hundred and twenty-five years; (2) Mrs. Harriet L. ELLIS, of Winchendon 
[Worcester County], Massachusetts; and (3) Crosby A. PERRY, the special 
subject of this sketch, who was the last born of the second union. [Micah 
PERRY had two wives and a total of twenty-one children?]

Crosby A. PERRY received his academical education at Burnham Academy, 
Farmington [Franklin County], Maine; then taking up the study of medicine he 
entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Pennsylvania, from which 
institution he was graduated with the class of 1859. The following two years 
Dr. PERRY practiced medicine in New York, but gave up his professional career 
in 1861 that he might serve his country, first as a volunteer nurse and 
subsequently as a private in Company E, Fifth Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry. He served until 02 December 1864, when he received his honorable 
discharge. Settling at East Walllingford [Rutland County, Vermont] in 1868, 
he remained there two years in the practice of his profession, then removed 
to Rutland [Rutland County, Vermont], where he continued his practice until 
1873, when he removed to Readsboro [Bennington County, Vermont], his present 
home. During the yeas that have since elapsed he has gained the confidence 
of the community in which he resides, and has built up a large practice.

Dr. PERRY is a stanch Republican in politics, and takes a keen interest in 
public matters. He has filled various town offices with acceptability; ten 
years selectman; nine years lister; justice of the peace twenty-two years; 
superintendent of schools nine years; and thirty-eight years a member of the 
school board. Member of Deerfield Valley Lodge No. 3, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows (has held all the offices); and the Grand Lodge (has served as 
Grand Master; was representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge); A. L. Pike 
Post, Grand Army of the Republic (has filled all the offices; for several 
years commander; was at one time on the staff of General PECK as deputy 
commander); member of Deerfield Valley Medical Association (in which he has 
refused all offices, although was elected president). He is a Universalist 
in his religious views.

On 27 April 1869 Dr. [Crosby Alpheus] PERRY married, first, [Miss] Ida B. 
CUTLER, who was born in Walllingford [Rutland County, Vermont], daughter of 
Edward A. and Electa M. CUTLER. Mr. CUTLER was a well known hotel keeper, 
and after his death Mrs. [Electa M.] CUTLER, who had become familiar with the 
business, purchased the Sadawga Spring House at Whitingham [Windham County, 
Vermont], and managed it successfully until her death. Mrs. Ida B. PERRY 
died at the age of forty-nine years, leaving four children: Carl S., Grace 
A., Forest C., and Edward A. PERRY. Carl S. PERRY is a business man of 
Clarksburg [Berkshire County], Massachusetts, and the remaining children 
reside at Readsboro [Bennington County, Vermont]. On 16 October 1901 Dr. 
[Crosby Alpheus] PERRY married, second, [Miss?] Daisy E. DUNN, of Rowe 
[Franklin County], Massachusetts.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly