Sergeant Township Biographical Sketches

W. E. BUTTS, Lodge, No. 749 postmaster, Clermont, was born in Arkansas , September 18, 1841. When twelve years of age he came to Pennsylvania , and lived for some time at Lawrenceville. When he started in life for himself he was employed by the Fall Brook Coal Company, and after his marriage he moved to Clermont, where he has since been employed as agent for the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad and Coal Company, and has also held the position of postmaster several years. Mr. Butts was married September 18, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth McCann, of Fall Brook, and they have four children: Lula E., Kittie A., W.E., Jr., and Fred H. Mr. Butts is a member of Clermont, I.O.O.F.

PETER MARTIN, farmer, P.O. Clermont, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in December, 1835, a son of Adam and Eva (Parents) Martin, natives of Germany , who came to Poughkeepsie , N.Y. , in 1833, where they remained for one year, then removed to Philadelphia , Penn. Here the father engaged as a foreman in Mr. Erie's soap factory, where he worked for eight years. In 1843 he came to McKean county, settling in Sergeant township, and in 1849 purchased the farm where his son, whose name heads this sketch, now resides. Peter Martin is the second son in a family of ten children. He received his education in McKean county, and resided with his parents until their death. He married in June, 1870, Miss Lenora, daughter of Philip and Julia A. (Wagoner) Roades, who came to Clermont in 1842. Of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Burtan L. and Bertha L. are the only ones surviving. Mr. Martin has held various township offices; he is a member of Clermont Lodge, No. 949, I.O.O.F., and Smethport Encampment, No. 273, and is a member of the Baptist Church .

ORIN PERRY, farmer, P.O. Kasson, is a son of Michael and Hannah (Cass) Perry, natives of New Hampshire , where Orin was born in February, 1816. His parents afterward removed to Steuben county, N.Y., where he received his education. He remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he engaged as a common laborer. By thrift and economy he finally found success crowning his honest efforts. He married, in 1835, Miss Lurinda Abby, of Steuben county, a daughter of John and Mary (Head) Abby. This wife died in 1845, leaving two children, Mary (now deceased) and Malvina, wife of Calvin Pettis, of Port Allegany, Penn. Mr. Perry married in May, 1846, Miss Miranda, daughter of George and Amy (Page) Head, of Steuben county, N.Y., and they are the parents of the following named seven children: Ann (wife of Freeman Leyzotte, of Ketner, Penn.), George, Amanda M. (wife of F.A. Briggs), Andy, John, Mary and Ellsworth. Mr. Perry was engaged in farming in Steuben county, N.Y., until 1859, when he came to Sergeant township and purchased the farm of 240 acres, where he now resides. He has always evinced an interest in the township, and has held various local offices.