William Claude Terry

William Claude Terry (1893-1954) served as the third mayor of the Town of Oneida. He was a prominent Oneida businessman and civic leader.

See Also: Mayors of Oneida
Preceded By: G.K. Young • Succeeded By: Sam A. Bertram

Early Life

William Claude Terry Sr. was born Aug. 25, 1893 in Oneida, and lived in the town his entire life. He was the son of Alvin C. Terry and Nancy J. Davis Terry.

The Terry family was the first to settle Oneida. Terry’s great-grandfather, Josiah Terry, is said to have been the first white settler of the Oneida area. William C. Terry’s father, Alvin C. Terry, was a noted figure in Oneida, serving as a businessman school board member, city alderman, and director of First Trust & Savings Bank. He was also a founder of the Oneida Water Company.

William Claude Terry married Paralee Cowan in Chattanooga in 1920. Originally from Alabama, she was a teacher in Chattanooga when she met her husband. They had three children: Jane Terry Hoffman (1921-2012), George Alvin Terry (1926-2008) and William Claude “Jumby” Terry Jr. (1929-2010).

Prior to entering the field of politics, Terry served in World War I. He was an original stockholder of First Trust & Savings Bank.

Mayor of Oneida

Terry was elected Oneida’s third mayor in 1921 at the age of 28, replacing G.K. Young. He served three two-year terms, winning re-election in 1923 and 1925. He left office in 1927.

Terry’s brother-in-law, Leland Carson, served as the town’s first mayor, from 1917 to 1919. Carson married Mable Blevins, who was the adopted daughter of Alvin and Nancy Davis Terry.

It was during Terry’s tenure as mayor that U.S. Highway 27 was completed through the town, following its current route along the railroad before turning north and bypassing the downtown area to Oak Grove.

It was also during Terry’s tenure as mayor that Oneida was said to have “more paved streets than any town in Tennessee according to population and wealth.”

Other improvements during Terry’s tenure as mayor include the first sewer system in 1925, and the establishment of two new hotels: The Grandview and The Gibson House.

Post Politics

Following his six years in office, Terry returned to private life and served as president of First Trust & Savings Bank. He held that position when he died in 1954.

Terry was also the founder of Terry Motor Company in Oneida, which was a longstanding business in the town.

Death

Terry died in Oneida on Nov. 4, 1954, at the age of 61. He was buried at Litton Cemetery, where his parents are also buried.

Paralee Terry died on Feb. 10, 1976, at the age of 90. She was also buried at Litton Cemetery.