Henry A. Terry, 83, a retired nurseryman of Crescent, IA, died of old age at his home in that city yesterday afternoon, after having spent the most of his life since 1847 in Pottawattamie County. Deceased leaves a wife and six children. Mr. Terry had been ill only about a week, and was suffering from a trouble that had been bothering him slightly for some time.

Henry A. Terry was born in Cortland County, New York, July 12, 1826. He was a son of Otis and Cynthia (Ruggles) Terry, who were natives of Worcester, MA. In 1836 he moved with his parents to Livingston County, Michigan, where he farmed until 1845, when he went to Knox County, IL. When 20 years of age he left home to shift for himself. He was a Garden Grove, IA, farmer until 1847, coming to Pottawattamie County in the Fall of that year. During the succeeding winter he taught school in Honey Creek, in what is now Rockford Township.

In September 1848, he married and removed to Crescent, where he became the owner of the first store in the town and the second one in the county. Three years later he sold out and went to New Haven, Conn., traveling by steamboat almost all the way. There he was clerk in his brother-in-law's store for two years. He then came to Council Bluffs or Kanesville, as it was called at the time, and engaged in the seed and grain business. In 1857 he removed to Crescent and although he had established a small nursery the year before, he continued active in the grain business until 1860.

His was the first permanent nursery in the county and to H.A. Terry the people of Iowa are largely indebted for a demonstration of the fact that the state, and especially the western portion of it, is adapted to the growing of fruit. He proved that varieties supposedly too tender for this climate would do well here. With infinite care and attention, he raised fruit of his own and had, at one time, the finest orchard in the state, it was said. A few years ago Mr. Terry retired from the nursery business to rest and enjoy the products of his labors.

Mr. Terry grew many kinds of fruit and one variety of plum on the market is named after himself.

In September 1848, Mr. Terry and Mrs. Rachel T. Sirrine were married. Mrs. Terry died July 18, 1873. Six children were born of that marriage, three of whom are still living: H.S. Terry of Crescent, Mrs. William Newsum and Mrs. Frances Rutherford of Council Bluffs.

October 15, 1873, Mr. Terry married Esther J. Hough. Of this marriage were born six children of whom three survive: Mrs. Henry Williams of Crescent, Mrs. Thomas Adams of Lincoln, NE, and Howard A. Terry of Crescent.