Berry, John bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 433-434; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst

   John Berry, the owner and occupant of an excellent farm on section 1, Lewistown Township, was born near Newport, Vermillion County, Ind., in September, 1840. His grandfather, John Berry, is believed to have been a native of the Keystone State, whence he removed to Ohio, spending his last years there. Elijah Berry, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, was quite young when taken to Ohio, and was left an orphan at the age of twelve years. He was reared on a farm in Licking County, and there married Elizabeth Kendall, who was born in Virginia December 25, 1802. Her parents, Enoch and Sarah (Dennis) Kendall, removed to Ohio about 1814, settling in Licking County, in which they were pioneers. Both died on the farm which they had reclaimed from the wilderness.
     The parents of our subject removed from the Buckeye State to Indiana in 1824, making their removal with teams, camping and cooking on the way, as was a common custom before the facilities of travel made other means available. They settled in Vermillion County, which was at that time but little developed and largely covered with timber. Building the log cabin in which our subject was born, the husband set himself to work to clear and cultivate a portion of the land which he had obtained. He resided thereon until 1845, then sold and removed farther westward, bringing a part of his household goods with him in wagons. He located in Lewistown Township, this county, rented land for a few years, and then bought a heavily-timbered tract on section 1. He erected a log house, which is still standing and occupied by his widow. In it he breathed his last in May, 1867, at the age of sixty-three years.
     The mother was well skilled in the arts of spinning and weaving, which were considered a necessary part of a girl's education during her youth. For some years after her marriage she made all the cloth used in the family, the material for which was raised on the farm. She is now, in the eighty-eighth year of her age, able to recall much of interest connected with the development of the county, as well of pioneer work in other parts of the Mississippi Valley. She has reared nine children, named respectively: Lucinda, Philip, Isaac, Rachel (these born in Ohio), Enoch, Matilda, Nancy, Mary Jane and John.
     Our subject was five years old when he accompanied his parents to this county, which has since been his home. He received a practical education, was trained to habits of industry and imbued with good principles. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm until he arrived at manhood and then commenced life for himself on rented land. After a few years he purchased the property he now occupies, which is a well-improved tract, bearing a complete line of substantial buildings. The fertile acreage yields abundantly of various grains and is the source of a sufficient income to surround the family with the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. A view of this fine place appears on another page.
     The maiden name of the wife of our subject was Louisa Byers. Their family consists of twelve children, named respectively: Amanda, Leonard, Laura, Lester, Lissie, Ida, Willie, Viola, Edie, Alice, Elmer and Vernie, who are being carefully reared and given the educational advantages which will aid in fitting them for useful and honorable lives. The principles of Democracy meet with the hearty approbation of Mr. Berry, who never fails to cast his vote for the party of his choice.
Note: picture of farm on pages 431-432