Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1603

GEORGE R. BERRIMAN, one of the most energetic and enterprising men of Springfield is George R. Berriman, a native of this city. He is actively identified with a number of business enterprises and as a public spirited citizen he takes a deep interest in whatever tends to promote the welfare of city, state or nation.

Mr. Berriman was born in Springfield, on the 13th day of July, 1858, and is a son of Peter Berriman, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. During his boyhood he attended the public schools and was graduated at the high school of this city. After completing his education he worked for John G. Gillette, at Elkhart, Illinois, for one year, his father having done a great deal of iron work in the foundry belonging to that gentleman, who finally induced our subject to try farming. Later he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became general agent for the Union News Company, having charge of their office at the old Little Miami deport for about four years, and the following year he spent in New York city, where he took up stereotyping in the employ of the New York Newspaper Union. The company then sent him to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania where he had charge of their business for a time, but on account of the illness of his mother he returned to Springfield, remaining here until after her death. Mr. Berriman next went to Chicago, where he had charge of the office and books of the State Grain office for two years and then resigned to accept a position in the United States sub treasury under D. P. Phelps. One year later he resigned and for the past twelve years has been press agent in the Illinois state legislature. In 1896 he opened a brokerage and money loaning office in Springfield and is still carrying on business along that line at 103 ½ Fifth street. He is also interested in the walnut lumber business, buying walnut timber all over Illinois, which he cuts and ships to buyers in Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati and St. Louis. He also buys and sells fine trotting horses and is an excellent judge of the noble steed. In business affairs he is prompt, energetic and progressive and he usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

On the 22d of October, 1901, Mr. Berriman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wells, who was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, October 22, 1875, and is a daughter of Frederick T. Wells, on of the oldest and most prominent business men of that city. In his political views Mr. Berriman was a Democrat until after the election of President Cleveland, since which time he has supported the Republican party, though at local elections he usually votes for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office regardless of party ties. A man of keen perception, of unbounded enterprise, his success in life is due entirely to his own efforts and he deserves prominent mention among the leading and representative business men of Springfield. His genial manner makes him most popular in both business and social circles and he has a host of warm friends in his native city.