The Berry Family of Linn County, Iowa

ROBERT BERRY, a prominent citizen of Linn County and a successful farmer and stock- Iki raiser, living on section 27, Bertram Town- ) ship, is a native of the Buckeye State and was born on the 4th of July, 1828. He is one of those gentlemen to whom the growing population of Linn County can point with pride as being a self-made man, for what he has of this world's goods has been accumulated through his own indomitable energy and perseverance, and not as the recipient of any legacy. His school privileges were quite limited, and what education he acquired in the district school has since been supplemented by a practical information. In fact, the life of our subject has been that of a farmer, and his younger years were passed on the old homestead of his parents, assisting his father in the labors on the farm.

The parents of our subject were Samuel and Mary (Emmons) Berry; the father was of Irish and the mother of English descent. The father was born in New York, May 1, 1784, and the mother in New Jersey, Nov. 1 5, 1 782. After they were married they moved to Ohio, where the father engaged in farming, and was thus occupied until his death. The mother moved to this county in 1851, and died at the home of our subject, Aug. 5, 1860. They had eleven children: David, born Aug. 26, 1807; William, March 10, 1810; Johanna, June 12, 1812; John, June 14, 1814; James, June 18, 1817; Sarah, Aug. 15, 1819; Mary and Amy (twins), Nov. 9, 1822; Samuel, Sept. 24, 1825; Robert and Nellie. Those deceased were David, Nellie, Johanna,

James, Sarah, Mary, and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Berry of this notice, after leaving the old home in Ohio, rented land there, and for one year was busily engaged in its cultivation, after which he became a contractor, and assisted in building the road of the C. H. & D. R. R. In 1851 he came to this county, purchasing 160 acres of land in Bertram Township, and has continued to reside in that township until the present time. He has added to his landed interests in Linn County until he is at present the proprietor of nearly 1,000 acres of valuable land. During the time that our subject has been a resident of Bertram Township, he has been for upward of thirty-five years continuously identified with its agricultural development, and probably no man has done more to further its prosperity than Mr. Berry. He has erected good and substantial buildings on his farm, and has brought the land to a high state of cultivation. His residence is a fine brick, and was built in 1858, and in 1872 he erected as fine a barn as is to be found anywhere within the boundary lines of the county. It is 50x72 feet in dimensions. He also has a corn crib 22x48, a stock barn 30x64, and a piggery 78x28 feet in dimensions, with stone floor. He also has a cattle-shed 20x60 feet, and has on his place the Jackson patent scale. He fatten about 150 head of hogs and fifty head of cattle for the market annually. On his place is one of the finest set of water-works to be found anywhere in the county, which must be seen to be appreciated.

Mr. Berry was married in this county on the 25th of April, 1854, to Nancy Thorington, daughter of Alex and Martha (Webb) Thorington, natives of Maryland. Her parents moved from their native State to Ohio, subsequently to Montgomery County, Ind., settling near Crawfordsville, and thence to this county, terminating their journey here in 1853. They located in Bertram Township, where they both died. Mrs. Berry was born in Montgomery County, Ind., July 4, 1834, and has borne our subject eight children — Walter H., born April 29, 1856; Charles E., Feb. 27, 1859; Jennie E., April 11, 1861; Addison A., June 22, 1863; Robert O., May 14, 1865; William J., Jan. 28, 1868; John F., June 26, 1872, and one who died in infancy. Walter was united in marriage with Almeda Harrison,

Bjip inmr/ and is a farmer of Bertram Township; Charles and Miss Lurena J. Byers were married, and are living in Bertram Township; Jennie E. became the wife of William Harrison, who is also a farmer of Bertram Township; Addison and Miss Ella Hunter were united in marriage, and they reside in the same township; Robert, William and John are inmates of the parental home.

Mr. Berry has held the offices of Township Trustee and School Treasurer, and in politics votes for the best men for office regardless of party. He and his wife became members of the Methodist Church about 1 865.

A fine lithographic view of the handsome residence and commodious barns and out-buildings of Mr. B. is presented on another page of this work.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ROBERT BERRY.

For over half a century Bertram township had no more influential or prosperous citizen than the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He was born in Ohio, July 4, 1828, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Emmons) Berry, the former born in New York, May 1, 1784, of Irish descent, the latter in New Jersey. November 15. 1782, of English extraction. After their marriage they removed to Ohio, where the father followed farming until his death. In 1851 the mother came to Iowa, and died at the home of our subject, August 5, 1860. They were the parents of eleven children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Davis, August 26, 1807; William, March 10. 1810; Johanna. July 12, 1 81 2; John, June 14, 1814; James, June

18, 1817; Sarah. August 15, 1819; JNIary and Amy, twins, Xovember 9, 1822: Samuel. September 24, 1825; Robert, July 4, 1828; and Nellie.

Mr. Berry's early educational advantages were meager, but the knowledge he acquired in the district schools has been supplemented by a practical information acquired in later years. He grew to manhood upon his father's farm and obtained an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On leaving the old homestead he commenced farming upon rented land in Ohio, and later engaged in railroad contracting.

Coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1851, Mr. Berry purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 27, Bertram township, where he continued to make his home till the spring of 1901, when he rented his place and removed to Cedar Rapids. In his farming operations he has steadily prospered, and has added to his landed possessions until he now owns nearly one thousand acres of valuable land. He has placed his land under excellent cultivation and erected thereon good and substantial buildings, until he now has one of the best improved and most desirable farms in the county. He has always given considerable attention to the raising of stock for the market and has also met with success in this undertaking.

On the 25th of April, 1854, in this county, Mr. Berry was united in marriage with Miss Xancy Thorington, who was born near Crawfordsville, Montgomery county, Indiana, July 4, 1834, and is a daughter of Alexander and Martha ( 'elib) Tlmringtnn, natives of Maryland. Her parents removed from that state to Ohio, and from there to Montgomery county, Indiana, and in 1853 came to Linn county, Iowa, spending the remainder of their lives in Bertram township.

Lnto Mr. and Mrs. Berry were born the following children: Walter H., born April 29, 1856, and Charles E., born February 27, 1859, are both represented elsewhere in this wurk: Jennie E.. burn April 11, 1861, of the wife of William H. Harrison, whose sketch also appears on another page of this volume; Addison A., born June 22, 1863, married Ella Hunter and makes his heme in Alt. vernon (a sketch of him will be found on another page of this work); Robert O., born May 14, 1865, married Rachel Cory, and lives on a farm in Marion township; William Jasper, burn January 28, 1868, married Bertie H. Hutchinson and lives on a farm in Bertram township; Jcjhn Frederick, born June 26, 1872, married Ida McCloud, and resides in Cedar Rapids; and one died in infancy.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

WALTER H. BERRY.

This energetic and enterprising agriculturist, residing on section 21, Bertram township, was born in this county, April 29,

1856, and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Reared on his father's farm, he was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood, which he attended during the winter months, while through the summer season he aided in the labors of the fields.

On the 28th of April, 1880, in Bertram township, Mr. Berry was united in marriage with Miss Almeda Harrison, who was born in Mt. Vernon, this county, January 3,

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After his marriage Mr. Berry operated a rented farm for three years and at the end of that time removed to his present place on section 21. Bertram township, where he has made many improvements, though his fine residence and commodious barn were built by his father. To the original tract our subject has added one hundred and seventy-five acres of land. He gives considerable attention to the breeding of a high grade of cattle, making a specialty of the short horn breed, and also raises horses and hogs for market. He is a very progressive and practical farmer and as he thoroughly understands his chosen vocation in all its various departments, he has met with remarkable success. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a supporter of the Democratic ]i,Trtv and itk principles.

TXMrS IT CRO.SP.y, A. B., T.T.. B.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES E. BERRY.

The agricultural interests of Bertram township are well represented by this gentleman whose home is on section 28. A native of this county, he was born in Bertram township. Februarv 27. 1859. and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. During the first twenty years of his life our subject attended the country schools and aided in the work of the farm.

On the 20th of September, 1882, Mr. Berry was married in Johnson county, Missouri, to Miss Laurana J. Byers, who was born in Ohio, August 13. 1862. Her parents, Joseph and Mary C. (Lynn) Byers, were lim. reared and married in Ohio, from which state they removed to Michigan, remaining there until the close of the Civil war, when they removed to Johnson county, Missouri, where they still reside. They had three children of whom Mrs. Berry was the oldest: Sally is the wife of Marion Herring, of Henry county, Missouri: and Frank, who is also married and lives in the same county.

After his marriage Mr. Berry rented one hundred and twenty acres of his father's land, which he operated until March, 1887, when he removed to Henry county. Missouri, and engaged in farming there until the following fall. There his wife died Septem- Iier 2. 1887. and her remains were brought back and interred in Campbell cemetery. Bertram. Iowa. She left four children, namely: Cordelia E.. born September 1. 1883: Gertruile X.. Iwrn December 26. 1884; Jennie A., lion May 4. 1886; and Charles R.. born August 8. 1887.

On the I St of October. 1887. Mr. Berry returned to this county, and was in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad company, until July 1, 1888. Since then he has resided upon the farm which he now occupies, it consisting of one hundred and eighty acres on section 28, Bertram township, and in its cultivation he has met with excellent success. He has made many improvements upon the place, including the erection of an elegant frame residence in modern style of architecture, and also large barns and cattle sheds. He intends making a specialty of the raising of Hereford cattle, of which he has a gcxid herd, and he also raises a high grade of hogs for market.

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C. wife of our subject, is next in order of birth; Henry, deceased, married Julia Galaway, who lives near Denver, Colorado; Luella is the wife of Henry Brenckenridge, of Ringgold county, Iowa; John, also a resident of Ringgold county, first married Nettie Scott and after her death wedded Hannah Claugh; Angeline died at the age of twenty years; Nancy is the wife of John Atwood, of North Ontario. California: William is a stock dealer, of Casper, South Dakota: Ckissie is the wife of Frank Preston, of North Ontario, California; and Katie resides with Iier mother in Ringgold CLUinty, Iowa.

Mr. Berry attends the Methodist church, and is a member of Bertram Lodge, No. 534, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat, and was elected as clerk of Bertram township, at the fall election in 1900. He is one of the up-to-date and progressive farmers of Berlin township] as well as one of the highly esteemed citizens of the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ADDISON A. BERRY.

Tiiroughout iiis active business life this gentleman has been identified with the farming and st(;ck raising interests of Bertram township, and is accounted one of its most thorough and skillful agriculturists. He was Ijorn in that township on the 22nd of June, 1863, and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. His earl_\- education was obtained in the district schools near his ijoyhood home, and later he attended the business college at Cedar Rapides completing his education at the age of twenty years. During the followingvear he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, and on attaining his majority started out in life for himself with an excellent knowledge of the occupation which he has chosen as a life work.

On the 30th of October, 1884, Mr. Beiry was married in Bertram township, to Miss Ella M. Hunter, who was born in that township, December 12, 1862, a daughter of James and Ellen (Flaherty), both natives of Ireland. The father was born September If). 1818, and was sixteen years of age when he came to the new world. His life has been devoted chiefly to agriculture, but for ten years he was engaged in milling. From Philadelphia he went to Galena, Illinois, and in March, 1838, came to Linn county, Iowa, squatting on government land in Bertram township. When the land came into market he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, and as be prospered in his farming operations here he added to his property until he owned six hundred and sixty acres. He erected a steam mill in Putnam township and operated it for ten years in connection with farming. He has been three times married, his first wife being Mary Rodgers, by whnm he had six children: William G., Sarah A., Mary E.. Janes, Minerva J. and Emma R., all of whom are now deceased with exception of Sarah A. and Emma R. The mother of these children died in Xovember, 1855, ''"1 'le subsequently married Caroline Hollis, Avho died eighteen months later. His third wife was Ellen Flaherty, the mother of Mrs. Berry, and to them were born eleven children: John W., Ella M., Mary, Charles, James, Johanna, Jesse Franklin, John, Thomas G., Moritmer M. and Julia E. Of these John and Charles are deceased. The father is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Berry had three children: Alfred R., burn August 14, 18S5 is taking a philosophical course at Cdrnell College, Mt. Vernon, and will graduate in 1905; Grace E.. born May 30, 1889, is attending the grammar school of Mt. Vernon; and one died in infanc_v.

After his marriage Mr. Berry rented his father-in-law's farm for a year, and then removed to the farm which he now occupies. Here he has three hundred and fifty acres on section 11, Bertram township, which is immer a high state of cultivation and improved with excellent buildings, including one of the best farm residences in this ])art of the state, it being an elegant two-story brick structure with all modern improvements. Upon the place are also large barns, cattle sheds and other buildings. Besides this valualile property he owns a handsome residence in Mt. Vernon, where he lives during the school year that his children might have the best educational advantages that the state affords. He spends the summer upon his farm, and is successfully engaged in both farnu'ng and stock raising. Politically he is an ardent Republican, but has always refused to become a candidate for office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business interests. Socially he is a member of the Odd b'fellows Lodge, No.

534, of Bertram, and he attends the Presbyterian church of Mt. Vernon, of which he is one of the trustees. He is a man of prominence in his community and is highly respected wherever known.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM J. BERRY

William J. Berry, living in Bertram township, owns one hundred and fifty-two and a half acres located on sections 27 and 34. His land is devoted to the production of crops and each year he gathers good harvests, for he follows modern methods of farming. Mr. Berry was born on the home farm in Bertram township on the 28th of January, 1868, one of a family of eight children whose parents were Robert and Nancy Berry, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Coming to Linn comity in 1851, the father here entered land, on which he built a log cabin, which was the place of above for many years. He at once began the development of his newly acquired land and continued its cultivation and improvement until the time of his demise, which occurred in 1006. The mother still survives and yet lives in Bertram township.

William J. Berry spent his youthful days amid the environment of the free, quiet life of the farm. He was early trained to habits of industry, economy and integrity and these have borne rich fruit in his later life. As he grew in years and strength he more largely assisted in the work of the fields, remaining at home until he was twenty-five years old, in the meantime having acquired his education in the common schools. He then took up his above upon the farm which has since been his home, his tract embracing one hundred fifty-two and a half acres on sections 27 and 34, Bertram township. He has made improvements on his farm, including a good country residence, in the rear of which are substantial barns and outbuildings erected with a view to convenience, and everything about the place is kept in good condition.

In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Berry and Miss Hannah J. Hutchinson, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, a daughter of C. G. and Hannah Hutchinson. The father was born in Pennsvlvania. while the mother claimed Ohio as the state of her nativity. They had nine children, of whom eight are still living. By her marriage Mrs. Berry has become the mother of one daughter, Hattie May, now a high-school student in Cedar Rapids.

.Mr. Berry is a republican in his political views but has never been active as an office seeker. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. No. 534, at Bertram. Mrs. Berry holds membership in the Presbyterian church, while the daughter is a member of "Westminster Presbyterian church at Cedar Rapids. As the years have come and gone Mr. Berry has not only diligently and successfully pursued his business but has watched with interest the progress of the county along agricultural lines, which has placed it among the foremost sections of this great state.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.