Philip Petry
Philip Petry, one of the representative men of Killbuck Township, is a son of John Petry, who was born in Germany in 1813, and emigrated to America in 1832, when nineteen years of age. He first located in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, having previously learned the blacksmith's trade, and afterward went to Philadelphia, where he followed that occupation for eighteen years. He married in that city, July 4, 1850, Miss Elizabeth Stuber, also a native of Germany, and they then located on a farm in Killbuck Township. Mrs. Petry died November 11, 1887. Mr. Petry still resides on the homestead and is one of the well-known farmers of the township. He has always been a stanch Democrat, and is a prominent member of the German Reformed Church. Their family consisted of six children: Elizabeth, married to Jacob Herzer, of Millersburgh, Ohio, she died December 28, 1887; Philip; Adam, of Illinois; Edward, of Killbuck Township; Tillie, wife of Robert McDowell, of Iowa, and John, of Illinois.
Philip Petry was born in the city of Philadelphia, February 6, 1840, and came to Holmes County when about ten years of age. He obtained but little schooling, as he had to assist his parents with the farm duties. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Miss Jane, daughter of William Arnold, of Richland Township, and they have four children: Ida, the eldest, is the wife of James T. Baker, of Holmesville, and has one child, Byron L.; Philip, of Killbuck, married Miss Hattie C. Williamson; Lizzie, wife of Steward Kimball, of Killbuck Township, has one child living, Lola (Bessie, their eldest daughter, was scalded to death September 16, 1888); Sandford Van, living at home. Mr. Petry is one of the active members of the Democratic party. He was elected county commissioner in 1887, and is now filling that office; has served as assessor two terms and trustee three terms. He is a member of Killbuck Lodge, No. 126, F. & A.M. and Millersburgh Chapter No. 86. R. A. M. He and his family attend the Killbuck Methodist Episcopal Church.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889