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91 years
MATTHEW BERRY was born January 30, 1823, at Venice, in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., the third son of William Gilmore Berry, Esq., late of the same county.
Matthew Berry, for nearly threescore years, has lived on what is known at the "Peach Garden" farm, one mile south of Canonsburg, Penn. He being the eldest of the Berry family now living, has consented to furnish a brief history of the Berry family from his grandfather, John Berry, to the present time.
The grandfather, John Berry, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, born A. D. 1753. About 1775 he emigrated to the...
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91 years
MATTHEW BERRY was born January 30, 1823, at Venice, in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., the third son of William Gilmore Berry, Esq., late of the same county.
Matthew Berry, for nearly threescore years, has lived on what is known at the "Peach Garden" farm, one mile south of Canonsburg, Penn. He being the eldest of the Berry family now living, has consented to furnish a brief history of the Berry family from his grandfather, John Berry, to the present time.
The grandfather, John Berry, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, born A. D. 1753. About 1775 he emigrated to the United States, and immediately upon his arrival in the county enlisted in the army for five years, and served under Gen. Washington. In 1780 he was married to Elizabeth Gilmore, who came from Ireland in the same ship with him. In religion he was a Presbyterian, by occupation a shoemaker. After his marriage he settled in Colerain township, Lancaster Co., Penn. In 1794 or 1795 he visited Washington county, on a prospecting trip, and worked one summer for the Rev. Dr. McMillan, the founder of Jefferson College. Late in the fall he returned to his home in Lancaster county, but the next spring he again came to Washington county, bringing with him his eldest son, William Gilmore Berry, and purchased a farm of 251 acres, being part of a tract of land owned by Gen. Washington, who sold it to Matthew Ritchie, who by will conveyed it to Alex. Addison, from whom John Berry purchased it. To this farm he moved his family during the summer or fall of 1796. The farm is still owned by his descendants, the heirs of William Berry (deceased). There were born to John Berry eight children -- three sons and five daughters, viz.: William Gilmore, John, James, Elizabeth, Nancy, Isabell, Ann and Mary. Of these, William Gilmore was married in 1804 to Jane McConnell, daughter of Mathew McConnell, Esq.; John was married to Rachel Phillips; James died unmarried at the age of twenty years; Elizabeth was married to Hugh Carson, of Ross county, Ohio; Nancy was married to Ebenezer Carson, of Ross county, Ohio; Isabell was married to Jacob George, of Washington county, Penn.; Ann was married to Alexander McConnell, of Washington county, Penn.; Mary was married to Thomas Torance, of Washington county, Pennsylvania.
William Gilmore Berry was born December 2, 1781, in Colerain township, Lancaster Co., Penn., the eldest son of John Berry. He came to Washington county with his father in 1796, learned the trade of house carpentry, and for a short time worked at the trade. In 1804 he was married to Jane McConnell, and to them were born eight children -- four sons and four daughters -- as follows:
(I). John, the eldest [see history of John M. Berry, elsewhere in this volume];
(II). Mary, the oldest daughter, born May 22, 1810, was married to John May, February 9, 1837; died February 15, 1893; to them were born nine children, viz: (1) Phebe, born February 25, 1838, married to Dixon T. McCloy February, 1860; she died in Belmont county, Ohio, February 20, 1890; their family consisted of two sons and two daughters. (2) William B. May, born September 18, 1839, unmarried, lives near Venice, Penn. (3) Rev. John R. May, born February 19, 1841, was married to Samantha Fulton, August 11, 1880; no family; living at Mansfield, Allegheny Co., Penn. (4) Matthew Alexander May, born June 24, 1843, was married to Sara Thompson, in 1862; he died March 6, 1874, leaving two daughters. (5) James May, born April 22, 1845, died unmarried February 11, 1870. (6) Jane May, born September 24, 1846, died September 22, 1862. (7) Joseph Carson May, born May 27, 1848, was married in May 1889 to Miss Alice Pooler. (8) Anna Mary May, born April, 22, 1851, died December 17, 1851. (9) Anna Mary Margaret May, born April 4, 1856, married April 4, 1882, to S. Wilson Scott; he died April 28, 1888, leaving a widow and three daughters; they now live near Venice, Pennsylvania.
(III). Elizabeth, the second daughter of William Gilmore Berry, was born July 23, 1815, and was married to William J. McLaughlin, of Adena, Jefferson Co., Ohio, October 27, 1840, where they still reside. To them were born six children: (1) John Mitchell, born January 8, 1843, married to Jennie Neff, and one daughter, now Mrs. Minnie Philips; John McLaughlin now lives near Atalissa, Iowa. (2) Jane McLaughlin, born December 25, 1844, was married to James L. Hawthorn, October 18, 1866, and has a family of three sons, the oldest of whom, Ross Mitchell, was married to Lizzie L. Simpson. (3) William Gilmore McLaughlin, born April 25, 1847, was married to Minnie A. Livingston, June 27, 1872; now living in Adena, Ohio, and has a family of six children. (4) James A. McLaughlin, born November 24, 1849, was married to Sara Barkhurst, and is living near Harrisville, Ohio; of his family of seven children two are deceased, and three sons and two daughters are living. (5) Samuel R. McLaughlin, born March 24, 1854, was married to Bell Porterfield, March 20, 1876; living near Atalissa, Iowa; no family. (6) Martha Ann McLaughlin, born October 8, 1856, was married to Alexander G. Hawthorn February 26, 1874, and died February, 1875, leaving husband and one son, Harry Wilmer.
(IV). Jane, the third daughter of William Gilmore Berry, born in 1817, was married to John Thome, February 17, 1841, and died at Canonsburg, Penn., September 21, 1888.
(V). William Berry, the second son of William Gilmore Berry, was born in 1819; married Elizabeth Calohan December 1, 1848, and to them were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, their names and dates of birth being as follows: John C., August 26, 1849; Jennie M., November 12, 1851; George A., April 26, 1854; James D., March 2, 1857; Beca C., March 30, 1860; Charley G., October 23, 1863; Samuel L., January 6, 1866; the children are all married except Beca C., who resides with her parents in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
(VI). Prudence, the fourth daughter of William Gilmore Berry, was born in 1821, was married to John Carson, of Chillicothe, Ohio; he died in 1849, leaving one son, Hugh F. Carson, who lives in Michigan. After her husband's death Prudence returned to Canonsburg, Penn. where she died in January, 1886.
(VII). Matthew, the third son of William Gilmore Berry, born January 30, 1823, was married in April, 1847, to Margaret Willison, of Hickory, Penn., daughter of Samuel Willison, and to them were born three sons, as follows: (1) W. G., born January 22, 1848, was married December 29, 1869, to Miss Nannie L. Garrett, and they have three daughters: Lillie M., Nannie W. (now Mrs. S. H. H. Arnold) and Maggie I. W. G. is by occupation a house carpenter, now farming, living on Major Urie farm; in politics he is a Republican, in religion a liberal United Presbyterian; for ten years after 1883 he was secretary and editor of Sheep Register; was a member of the National Live Stock Association Committee of 18 preparing exhibit of live stock at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, representing fine-wooled sheep interests; he is an advocate of advanced ideas in agriculture.
(2) Samuel W. Berry, born in 1850, was married to Isabell McNary in November, 1876, and their family consists of three children -- one daughter, Elva L., and two sons, Matthew Willison and Walter U. Samuel W. is by occupation a farmer; in politics he is a Republican, in religion a United Presbyterian; he is living at the old homestead. (3) John Alexander Berry, youngest son of Mathew, born in December, 1852, married Rachel McNut, and their family consists of two daughters: Ida May and Grace Hawthorne; by occupation John A. is a merchant, and postmaster at Houstonville, Penn.; in politics he is an ardent Republican.
(VIII). James Berry, youngest son of William Gilmore Berry, born March 22, 1827, was married to Martha McConnell, February 22, 1846; she died January 22, 1890; the family consisted of nine children -- five sons and four daughters -- their names and dates of birth being as follows: Sarah Jane, March 20, 1847; Martha, June 19, 1848; William McConnell, October 21, 1849; James Carson, June 20, 1851; Anna May, March 28, 1853; Francis Alex, January 3, 1855; John, January 28, 1858; Mary Margaret, April 9, 1859; David Paul, October 28, 1860. Of these Anna May, John and Mary Margaret died in infancy. William, Sarah and Martha live at No. 400 West Pike street, Canonsburg, Penn.; James C. married Kate M. Miller, November 1, 1881, and their family consists of two children (they are living at Sheridanville, Allegheny Co., Penn.); Francis Alexander married Mary Elizabeth McPeak, July 26, 1889 (by occupation he is a miller, and he lives in Canonsburg, Penn.); David Paul was married to Bertha Rigby, October 6, 1888 (by occupation he is a house carpenter, and he lives at Copeland, Penn.).
William Gillmore Berry began his business career at Venice, Penn., working for some time at house carpentry. Soon, however, purchasing a small farm and gristmill, he successfully managed them for a number of years, improving the farm, erecting a new dwelling house and new mill, with increased capacity. About 1821 he purchased a small flock of Spanish Merino Sheep from the celebrated flock of W. R. Dickinson, of Steubenville, Ohio, and from that date until he disposed of his business interests his prominent industry was sheep raising and wool growing. In order that he might increase his flocks he purchased from time to time a number of farms in Washington county and in Ohio. The first purchase was the Nelson farm in Mt. Pleasant township; the second purchase was, in company with his brother, John, a farm of 200 acres near Cecil post office, in Washington county, known as the Gordon farm. Later they purchased the Spencer farm of 200 acres on Paint creek, Ross Co., Ohio, near the city of Chillicothe. In 1834 he purchased in his own interest a farm in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., from James Watson, same containing 170 acres. In August, 1835, he purchased the "Peach Garden" farm one mile south of Canonsburg, Penn., containing 300 acres. He moved to this farm his family (except his oldest son John) on the last day of March, 1836, and lived for one year in the home now occupied by S. W. Berry. Here he made extensive improvements, building the large brick dwelling now owned by Robert Johnston, and very extensive and commodious farm buildings. He purchased and operated the Canonsburg Mills for a number of years, with the land adjoining, mostly now within the borough limits. The aforementioned properties he disposed of from time to time, his son William securing the north end of the Peach Garden farm, while Matthew procured the south end, the Canonsburg Mill property going to the youngest son, James.
William Gilmore Berry lived for a number of years on the Peach Garden farm, but later moved to Canonsburg, building the dwelling house at No. 404 West Pike street, where he resided until his death October 26, 1866, in his eighty-fifth year; his wife Jane, died February 25, 1848. He was recognized as being a capable business man, settling up a number of estates. Gov. Simon Snider commissioned him justice of the peace of District No. 5, composed of Cecil and Chartiers townships, his commission bearing date December 13, 1815, and to use the language of the commission for "so long as thou shall behave yourself well." He held the office until he moved from the district in March, 1836. He was a prominent Abolitionist, and associated in this movement with such men as Dr. F. Julius Le Moune, Maj. Samuel McFarland, W. H. McNary, Joseph Lee and others. He gave liberally of his means to establish and maintain the "Underground Railroad," which put many a black man to the land north of the great lakes, and he lived to read the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln. In politics he was first a Democrat, afterward a Whig, then an Abolitionist, and later a Republican. In religion he was a Presbyterian, in later life a member of the Associate Reformed Church, and after the union a United Presbyterian, a member of the Speer Spring Congregation from its organization until his death, and for a number of years was a ruling elder in the congregation.
John Berry, the brother of William Gilmore, was born in Colerain township, Lancaster Co., Penn., March 29, 1844, came to Washington county when a boy with his father, John Berry. He purchased from hi father his farm of 251 acres in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county, where he lived until his death in 1871. He was married to Rachel Philips, and to them were born six children -- four sons and two daughters: Eliza, Jonathan, John, Mary, William and Rev. Samuel P.
Matthew Berry, the subject proper of this sketch, is still engaged in his chosen vocation. He has given the subject of breeding Merino sheep his best thought, and made a success of the same, making most marvelous improvements since he began the business as a shepherd under his father's direction as a boy, and since he became owner of the flock, in 1847. Never being absent at breeding or shearing time since he began the business, his aim has been to improve both the fleece and mutton qualities of his sheep, until his reputation as a "flock master" has become national in its character. A great number of flocks in various States trace their origin to this flock, and among the many famous "flock masters" in Washington county he stands hear the head. Mr. Berry never aspired to public position in politics; he was firs a Whig and since the organization of the Republican party has been a Republican. In religion he was first a member of the Speer Spring Congregation Associate Reformed, and since the union has been a United Presbyterian, and has been a member of the First U. P. Church at Houstonville, Penn., since its organization.
Text taken from page 122 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).
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