Hancock-McDonough County IL Archives Biographies.....Berry, Hon. Orville F. February 16, 1852 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com December 21, 2009, 11:14 pm Source: McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown HON. ORVILLE F. BERRY, who is now representing the Twenty-fourth District of Illinois in the State Senate, is one of the leading and influential citizens of Carthage, prom- inent in its political and business affairs. A na- tive, of Illinois, he was born on the 16th of February, 1852, in Table Grove, McDonough County, and is the eldest in a family of three chil- dren whose parents were Jonathan L., and Martha (McConnell) Berry. The only daughter of the family died in infancy, and the two brothers are partners in the practice of law in Carthage. The father of this family was born in Tennessee, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. When a young man he came to Hancock County, Ill., and in 1840 purchased land, whereon he remained for several years, successfully en- gaged in its cultivation. He came of a family of Scotch origin, but for several generations past its members have resided in this country. The father, who was a soldier in the Mex- ican War, was united in marriage with Miss Mary Brewer, of Hancock County, who died in 1847, leaving two children: Charles L., who is now a contractor of Wichita, Kan.; and John, who was in the naval service during the late war, and was killed during that struggle. In 1850, Mr. Berry was joined in wedlock with Miss McConnell, and removed to McDonough County, where he purchased a farm, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred at the age of forty-eight years. He served as Deputy Sheriff of McDonough County for two years, and was a highly respected citizen of the neighborhood in which he made his home. A well-educated man, he followed teach- ing for a time, and was thus employed both in Hancock and McDonough Counties. His brother, Harrison Berry, was one of the pioneer ministers and physicians of the latter county. The mother of Senator Berry was a native of Pennsylvania, and during her early girlhood came with her par- ents to Hancock County, in 1844. Her death occurred in McDonough County when she was about forty years of age. Her father was one of the honored pioneers of Hancock County, and on his arrival here purchased a farm in Foun- tain Green Township, on which he resided until his death, which occurred at the very ad- vanced age of eighty-four years. He was of Scotch and Irish extraction. In the development and upbuilding of this county he ever bore his part, and was numbered among its leading and valued citizens. We now take up the personal history of Orville F. Berry, who was only five years of age when his father died. Three years later, in i860, his mother departed this life, and he was left an orphan when a lad of eight summers. He and his brother, Melvin P., then went to live with their grand- father, Francis McConnell, in Fountain Green Township. There they worked at farm labor and attended the country schools. Mr. Berry of this sketch thus spent his time until sixteen years of age, when he left his grandfather's home and be- gan earning his own livelihood. He was thus early thrown upon his own resources, but thereby developed a self-reliance and independence of character which have proven of incalculable ben- efit to him in later years. He began working as a farm hand by the month, and after spending the summer in the fields he would enter the district schools and pursue his studies through the win- ter season. The last three years he attended the High School at Fountain Green. On starting out in life for himself, Mr. Berry secured as a companion and helpmate on the jour- ney Miss Anna M. Barr, of Fountain Green Township, their marriage being celebrated on the 5th of March, 1873. Having inherited a small amount of money from his father's estate, Mr. Berry then purchased a farm in Fountain Green Township, and continued its cultivation for a year, but, as his taste lay in another direction, on the ex- piration of that period he came to Carthage, where he began reading law in the office of Mack & Baird. In January, 1877, he was admitted to the Bar, and immediately thereafter formed a partner- ship with Judge Thomas C. Sharp, of Carthage. This connection has since continued, covering a period of seventeen years. In 1879, Melvin P. Berry was admitted to the firm, and the style was changed to Sharp & Berry Brothers. The senior member has now been an invalid for several years, and the business is thus left to the care of his partners. Our subject has won prominence in his chosen profession, and is recognized as one of the leading members of the Hancock County Bar, a reputation which is well merited, as it has been won through skill and ability. To Mr. and Mrs. Berry were born five children, but three of the number died in infancy, and one son was drowned at the age of fourteen years. Orville F., the only surviving child, is now a lad of ten summers. Mr. Berry affiliates with the Republican party, and is a most stalwart advocate of its principles. On attaining his majority he was elected Assessor, and when nineteen years of age he served as a delegate to the State Convention. He has always taken an active part in everything that tends to advance Republican interests. When Carthage was changed from a village to a city, he was elected its first Mayor, and was twice re-elected. In 1888, he was elected State Senator, and when the returns were received in 1892 it was found that he was again the people's choice for that position. During the first session he served as Chairman of the Committee on Education and Educational Institutions. During that time the compulsory school law was passed. Mr. Berry has ever been a warm friend to the public schools, and his labors in the Senate resulted in great good to the cause of education. He was strongly op- posed to throwing out the English language from the public schools, and in 1892 made an open fight in behalf of the mother tongue. The friends of ed- ucation rallied to his support, and he was re-elected by a large majority. Believing that good schools are the foundation of a good government, neither fear nor favor would cause him to waver in sup- port of that view. Mr. Berry was also a member of the Committees on Judiciary, Judiciary Depart- ment, Railroad Corporations, Charitable Institu- tions, Canals and Rivers, and World's Fair. He was also chairman of the Republican Steering Committee. His record in the Senate is one of which he may well be proud, for he labors to ad- vance the best interests of the people, and has their confidence and high commendation. He was also appointed as one of five Commissioners to revise the statutes, on a committee composed of two members from the Senate and three from the House. Mr. Berry also takes great interest in civic so- cieties, is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Modern Woodmen Lodge, the Knights of Pythias, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he was Grand Master of Illinois in 1883 and 1884. He has been a representative to the Supreme Lodge of the United States and Canada for ten years, and was twice a delegate to the Congress of the Fraternal Societies of the United States. He also delivered the oration for Illinois on A. O. U. W. Day at the Columbian Exposi- tion in Festival Hall. He was the first Secretary of the County Fair Association, held that position for six years, and for three years was General Superintendent. In religious belief he is a Pres- byterian, and has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school for eight years. He is an able attorney, and the large practice which he receives attests his skill and ability. He has risen to his prominent position by his own efforts; with no special advantages, he has steadily worked his way upward, until he has become a leader in political and professional circles in his native State. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/hancock/bios/berry2850nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 8.5 Kb