This was during the US Civil War (1861-1865), and the Union Army controlled Columbia, Tennessee, where the family sought safety.
Upon arrival, Henry enlisted in the army, but John was too young and remained with his mother in Columbia until the Union commander of the area turned them over to their master when Pickard came for them.
He received his diploma in 1881 and returned to Chicago where he was ordained and again took work with the West Division Street Car Company.
[1] In 1886, Terry joined the Knights of Labor and was chosen by those working with him to represent them to settle the strikes in Chicago that year.
In December he was a delegate to the Cook County Political Assembly of the United Labor Party.
He also helped form the Chicago Cooperative Packing and Provision Company and in its first meeting on January 2, 1887, he was elected director.