James David Berry

Other Events and Attributes:

• Race: White
• Residence: 1850, Marion, Drew, Arkansas, USA
• Residence: 1870, Stephenville, Erath, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1880, Stephenville, Erath, Texas, USA; Age: 59; Marital status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Self
• Residence: 1900, Stephenville, Erath, Texas, USA

Notes:

From the History of Texas, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Co, 1896, Vol. I:

J.D. Berry, is classed among the most distinguished adopted sons of central Texas, and for twenty-eight years he has been an important factor in the business life of this locality. The majority of lives are unmarked by events of exciting nature and the reader who is fond of startling incidents is therefore seldom a student of biography; but the record of a man who faithfully performs the duties that devolve upon him and makes the best of his opportunities leaves behind him a record which is worthy of perpetuation. It is to this class that the country owes its stability and of this class our subject is a worthy representative.

Mr. Berry comes of a family of English origin. His father, Henry Berry, was a native of North Carolina, and J. D. was born in Morgan county, Alabama, on the 27th of September, 1820. He spent his childhood days on the old homestead, aiding in the labors of the farm and attending the subscription schools. At the age of sixteen he started out in life for himself and has been the architect of his own fortune. He was first employed as a salesman in a mercantile establishment in New Orleans, where he remained for some years, and in 1839 went to Mississippi.

Mr. Berry was married in Marion county, of the latter state, on the 10th of January, 1844, the lady of his choice being Miss M.E. Wilks, daughter of S.H. Wilks and a native of Alabama. They now have two living children, - S.O., of Ardmore, Indian Territory; and C.P., who is in the employ of the state as a convict guard.

In Mississippi Mr. Berry engaged in farming for five years and then removed to Arkansas, locating at Gaines' Landing, where he carried on merchandising. He also followed the same pursuit in Monticello and Lake Valley for several years, enjoying a very extensive and lucrative trade. At length he disposed of his mercantile interests, took up the study of law in Monticelllo, Arkansas, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. Immediately he entered upon the practice of his profession and continued a member of the legal fraternity of Monticello until after the beginning of the civil war, when he enlisted and was assigned to the quartermaster's department at Camden, Arkansas, where he remained until the fall of 1863. He was then detailed for service in the cotton department at Lamartown, where he remained until the close of the war.

When hostilities had ceased Mr. Berry removed to Waco, Texas, where he resumed merchandising, conducting his store until the fall of 1868, when he took up his residence in Stephenvill and became identified with the bar of this place. After ten years' successful practice he opened a private bank, which he successfully conducted until he went to Cisco, where in partnership with Judge J. R. Fleming, he conducted a bank. His next place of residence was Dublin. He established the first bank at that place, and on selling out there returned to Stephenville, where he has since been engaged in the insurance business. He has the agency for several well known and reliable companies, and in the new undertaking ahs met with a well deserved success. His career is a most creditable one, for he started out in life empty-handed and depending entirely upon his own exertions, by the exercise of his abilities, both natural and acquired, he has risen to a position of affluence. He is regarded as one of the leading business men of central Texas and a valued citizen of Erath county.

In his political views, Mr. Berry is a "silver democrat," and socially he is connected with Stephenville Lodge, No. 267, AF&AM. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church and their many friends throughout the community testify to their sterling worth.

James married Mary Elizabeth Wilks on 10 Jul 1841 in Marion, Mississippi, USA. Mary (daughter of Stephen Hitchcock Wilkes and Mary McNeese) was born on 15 Feb 1823 in Alabama, USA; died on 2 Feb 1900 in Stephenville, Erath, Texas, USA; was buried in West End Cemetery, Stephenville, Erath, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Eliza Berry was born on 12 Nov 1841 in Lawrence, Mississippi, USA; died on 30 Jun 1862 in Washington, Mississippi, USA; was buried in Unknown.
2. Henry Wilks Berry was born on 27 Sep 1846 in De Soto, Mississippi, USA; died on 16 Jan 1896 in Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, USA; was buried in Locke Cemetery, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, USA.
3. Serena Berry was born on 15 Oct 1848 in Drew, Arkansas, USA; died on 10 Jun 1885 in Erath, Texas, USA; was buried in West End Cemetery, Stephenville, Erath, Texas, USA.
4. Stephen Oliver Berry was born in Aug 1854 in Arkansas, USA.
5. Charles Pinckney Berry was born in 1858 in Arkansas, USA; died on 30 Apr 1906 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA; was buried in West End Cemetery, Stephenville, Erath, Texas, USA.
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