Addison A. Berry

As printed in 1901

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 Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.