R. J. Terry is an Indianian by birth, and first saw the light of day in, Franklin County, that State, on April 10th, 1832. His father, Ansel Terry, is a resident of this County; and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Foster, died in 1844. Our subject accompanied his parents in their removal from his native State to Daviess County, Missouri, in 1841, and was here reared to manhood upon his father’s farm and received his nonprofessional education. On August 5th, 1852, he married Miss Mary O. Hammond, daughter of John Hammond, of this county. Two children, now living, was the issue of this union; namely, George C., and Ruth A., now Mrs. Louis Ford. Mrs. Terry died February 16, 1864.
R. J. Terry enlisted in the Missouri State Militia in 1861, and served two years as lieutenant under Colonel Hall. At the expiration of that time he enlisted in the Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served as lieutenant and afterward as sergeant, until the close of the war. He received his honorable discharge at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and returned to his home in this County.
On the 21st of April, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan M: Hammond, sister of his first wife. By this union they have seven children; namely, John G., Martin S., Alva N., Mary F., Ella E., David N. and Ida May. Dr. and Mrs. Terry are members of the Christian Church. He has been practicing medicine in connection with his farming for the past eight years. In the fall of 1858 he went to Texas, where he remained eighteen months. Dr. Terry is a staunch Republican.