{History of Mapleton} Parley Pratt Perry (1875-1962)

This is from The History of Mapleton, by Ralph K. Harmer and Wendell B. Johnson, on page 167-168.

Parley Pratt Perry was born to Stephen C. Perry and Mary Boggs Perry on November 5, 1875, at Springville, Utah. Shortly thereafter he came with his parents to Union Bench where he obtained his early religious and secular training. Throughout his life he worked as a farmer, but he also varied his career in other secondary positions, though he placed equal importance on them. Civically, he served as town marshall of Mapleton. He also filled a position as a member of the Nebo District Board of Education. He was active in church as a young man and served in both the Sunday School and the M.I.A.

Parley married Lydia Ardilla Gallup on September 8, 1897 in the Manti Temple. Ardilla was a daughter of James Gallup and Elenor Amelia Warren. She was born April 9, 1879 at Springville. Throughout her life she was active in LDS auxiliary organizations and the D.U.P. Their family consisted of the following children: James Stephen Perry; Melinda Perry (died in infancy); Lewis Reid Perry; Inez Perry Rudolph; Parley Burnell Perry; and Marva Perry Taylor.

Parley built a brick home (on 700 South Main) where he lived the remainder of his life. His eldest son, James, assisted him in the raising of sugar beets and other cash crops, and later rented the land from his father in a continued operation.

When his wife Lydia died November 17, 1958, Parley quietly receded from public affairs and became more and more reclusive. He stayed around home except to walk up the street to Harmer’s Market for a few groceries or down the street to visit his brother Horace. He enjoyed his front porch and spent the warm summer evenings there sitting on the chair made by his father. With Maple Mountain as a backdrop, he would sit and watch the scenery or read the evening paper while he thoughtfully mulled over his “chew” of tobacco. He was a man who apparently kept his opinions to himself, though he was studious, well-read, and a great storyteller. Unobtrusive, he passed his final years serenely and died at Provo, Utah, October 28, 1962.