Perry T. Wyrick

​(Printed in THE MILLER COUNTY AUTOGRAM-SENTINEL in the column, 'WINDOW TO THE PAST', April 13, 2006)
​​​(Printed in THE MILLER COUNTY AUTOGRAM-SENTINEL in the column, 'WINDOW TO THE PAST', July 29, 2010 )
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​Perry Tolbert Wyrick was born in Miller County, near Ulman, on October 13, 1880. He was a son of John Henry Wyrick (1853-1923) and Rachel Elizabeth Kinder (1856-1932). His Wyrick ancestors came to Miller County in the 1840s from Grainger County, Tennessee and his mother’s family, the Kinders, were from Shelby County, Kentucky. His grandparents were Chesley Nelson & Lucinda (Wyrick) Wyrick and John & Didama (Bilyeu) Kinder.

The children of John Henry Wyrick and Rachel Elizabeth (Kinder) were:

1. Earnest Wyrick b. 1879 d. in infancy

2. Perry Tolbert Wyrick 1880-1958 m. Carried Gertrude Whittle 1903

3. Vernetta Amanda Wyrick 1883-1942 m. Anthony Cordell Martin 1904

4. Aretta Frances Wyrick 1885-1919 m. John Marion Hendricks 1907

5. George Elmer Wyrick 1890-1975 m. (1) Leatha Elizabeth Shelton 1908 (2) Elizabeth Ferguson

6. Chesley Sylvester Wyrick 1896-1962 m. Amanda Elizabeth Whittle 1912

Perry Tolbert Wyrick married Carrie Gertrude Whittle on January 18, 1903. Carrie was a daughter of Josephus Whittle (1856-1928) and Leatha Jane Loveall (1864-1946) who married in Miller County 29 August 1878. The Whittle family was natives of Edmonson County, Kentucky and the Lovealls were from central Kentucky as well. The children of Josephus and Leatha were:

1. James Levi Whittle b. 1879 d. in infancy

2. Silas A. Whittle b. 1880 d. in infancy

3. Lallah Brooks Whittle 1883-1976 m. Frank Verner Andrews

4. Carrie Gertrude Whittle 1886-1959 m. Perry Tolbert Wyrick

5. Olia Rayford Whittle 1888-1951 m. Fannie Jane Luttrell

6. Arlie Everett Whittle l891-1957 m. Ida Johnson

7. Bertha Irene Whittle b. 1894 d. 192__ m. Nicholas Shelton

8. Amanda Eliz. Whittle 1896-1964 m. Chesley Sylvester Wyrick

9. Otto Whittle 1900-1987 m. Sarah Ann Stone

10. Sylvia Alice Whittle 1904-1981 m. Ransom Alexander

11. John Wilburn Whittle 1907-1981 m. Lois Stites

Perry Wyrick was educated in the public schools of Miller County and later attended the Miller County Institute at Spring Garden in the late 19th century. For about 15 years he taught schools in Miller, Pulaski, and Camden counties.

In 1914, he went into politics and won the office of Miller County Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds on the Republican ticket. He later served two terms as County Judge of the Second District. From 1929 to 1933, he was supervisor of automobile funds in the State Treasurer’s office in Jefferson City. From 1933 until his retirement in 1946, he served as a bank official with three Miller County banks---Bank of Iberia, Farmers and Traders Bank of Iberia, and Bank of Tuscumbia.

The Wyricks were parents of two sons, Orville Oral Wyrick and Elmer Everett Wyrick. Both sons attended Iberia Academy. Orville graduated in 1922 and Elmer in 1924. Orville married Grace Martin of Iberia, a daughter of George and Laura (Ferguson) Martin. Elmer left Miller County as a young man and went to southeast Kansas where he met his wife, Margie.

 

Perry Tolbert Wyrick died in October 1958 and had almost reached his 78th birthday. His funeral was held at the Iberia First Christian Church. Rev. James Bade, pastor of the church, and Rev. Earl B. Brown, pastor of the Iberia Congregational Church, conducted the services. Perry was survived by his wife, Carrie; son Orville Wyrick of Webster Groves, MO; grandson, Kenneth Wyrick of Oswego, KS; granddaughter, Delores Wyrick Amos of Webster Groves, MO; and two brothers, Chesley S. Wyrick of Iberia and George E. Wyrick of Ft. Scott, KS. He was preceded in death by his son, Elmer, and granddaughter, Mary Catherine Wyrick. He was buried at the Iberia Cemetery......his wife, Carrie Whittle Wyrick, survived him by only 1 year when she died in 1959 and was buried beside Perry at Iberia Cemetery.

 

​He was buried at the Iberia Cemetery.... his wife, Carrie Whittle Wyr​​​​ick, survived him by only 1 year when she died in 1959 and was buried beside Perry at Iberia Cemetery.

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Note from Peggy: Perry Tolbert Wyrick was an older brother to Chesley S. Wyrick, my grandfather. I remember Uncle Perry so well as I grew up in Iberia and visited many times in their home that displayed many pieces of unique antique furniture.  One of my most pleasant memories was for almost 25 years he called me “Betty”. His mother was named Rachel Elizabeth but was always called “Betty”, so I have to believe that in some way I must have reminded him of his dear little mother!

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