Perry LaBounty was born in Ashkum, Illinois in 1888 and died in Bloomington, Illinois in 1971. LaBounty had a long and successful career in the newspaper business, beginning when he was just 11 years old as a printer’s apprentice at a Kankakee newspaper.
He moved on to work in Mattoon, Manteno, Clinton, and other newspapers in the state. His longest tenure was with The Daily Pantagraph, where he worked for more than 30 years, eventually being named International Advertising Manager.
He was active in the Newspaper Advertising Executives Association and was chairman of the Planning and Sales Committee of the Illinois Daily Newspaper Markets for many years. He was a community leader and served as president of both the Lions Club and Kiwanis Club.
In his younger years, he boxed professionally and had a short career playing professional baseball. Perry continued to play semi-pro baseball into his mid-forties. He was well respected among his peers and others in the newspaper business which is evidenced by the many letters of congratulations he received upon his retirement.
Edith Mae Vanderwater married Perry in 1906 and they had nine children. Edith served on the board of the Red Cross and the Relief Board. She also served on the Bloomington School Board of Education for one term. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and an honorary member of the Bloomington-Normal Women’s club.