Georgia:  Coweta County:  Biography of W. B. BERRY 

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W. B. BERRY, a capitalist of Newnan, is a man of eminence in Coweta 
county, and a son of the distinguished Andrew J. Berry, one of the 
pioneers of this section, for many years a leader in its affairs, and a 
man who well deserves more than a passing mention in this connection. He 
was left an orphan at the early age of five years, and was placed in an 
orphan asylum at Charleston, S. C. Here he remained six years, when a 
good man, Maj. Carruth, took him to rear. With him the boy remained until 
he reached manhood, and then, at twenty years of age, took a position as 
clerk in a store at Greenville, S. C. Later he was for some time clerk in 
the Mansion hotel at Greenville; but in 1827 he determined to try a 
pioneer life in Georgia, and came to Coweta county. He selected a spot 
about two miles east of Newnan, the county seat, and there in 1828 he 
built the first house in Newnan, which house still stands, received an 
excellent education, and early engaged in the business of life. From 1850 
to 1854 he had charge of the stage route between Che-haw and Atlanta, 
Peters, Beeman and Ellsworth, proprietors, which was discontinued upon 
the advent of the railroad, when Mr. Berry was made passenger conductor, 
which position he held for six years. Upon the death of his father, Judge 
Berry, the young man took his place as one of the leading business men of 
Newnan, showing himself a worthy son of such a father. In 1871, he 
founded the First National bank of Newnan, of which he was made 
president, with L. J. Hill as cashier, and was afterward president of the 
Gate City National bank. He carried the burdens of this onerous position 
from 1871 to 1893, when he withdrew, feeling that he had fairly earned a 
rest. Although at leisure from the cares of business he has by no means 
laid aside his interest in the affairs of his native city. As in the past, 
so now all laudable enterprises find in him ready sympathy, and willing 
aid and encouragement. He has always been liberal in his contributions 
to churches and schools, and no man stands higher in the estimation of 
his fellows than W. B. Berry. He has been a member of the masonic order 
since 1865, and is also an Odd Fellow. His wife, to whom he was married 
in 1861, was Miss Hibernia Dougherty, a native of Newnan, and a devoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have four children.


Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical Association, 1895