PROF. HENRY PETRY was born in Brown County, Ohio, June 28, 1859, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Roser) Petry, the former born in Buffalo, N. Y., of German parentage, and the latter born in Bavaria. When a small boy John Petry removed with his parents to Newark, Ohio, where his father, Henry Petry, Sr., engaged in mercantile pursuits. In early life John Petry learned the shoe-maker's trade, which he has since followed with the exception of the last ten years, when he has been engaged in farming. In 1856 he removed to Ripley, Brown Co., Ohio, where he remained until 1882, when he removed to Mason County, Ky., where he now resides. Both he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Our subject received a good common school education in youth, and graduated with high honors from the scientific and training departments of the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, in August, 1883. He also graduated at the head of his class from the business and commercial department of the same institution in June, 1882. While employed on the old homestead farm, he was the inventor of an improved farm gate, and secured a patent for the same June 10, 1879. It is said to be one of the best farm gates ever invented. In the fall of 1883, he was employed in the Madisonville Normal School and Business College, remaining one year. In August, 1884, he came to Providence, Webster Co., Ky., where he is at present employed in the Home School and Normal Institute. In politics he is a Democrat, and is an earnest advocate of the temperance question.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 1045.