Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1044:
BERRY, JAMES, an old and well-known citizen of Springfield, Ill., who has retired from active life, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, about 1843 He is the third son of William and Mary (McHale) Berry, farmers of Ireland, who died there. James Berry was reared on a farm and received a fair education in the local schools, after which he continued farming until twenty five years of age, when he came to America, sailing from Liverpool and landing in New York. He came direct to Springfield, Ill., arriving there May 5, 1869 and has spent most of the time since in that city.
Mr. Berry was married in Springfield, Ill., April 22, 1872, to Miss Anna McGrevy, also a native of County Mayo, Ireland, who came to America with her mother when about eleven years of age. Her father, Patrick McGrevy, and her sisters, Mary and Bridget, had preceded them to the new home. They located in the City of Springfield, where Mr. McGrevy died in May, 1910.
After settling in Springfield Mr. Berry became employed in the mines and continued in this line of work up to the present time. He was an industrious and faithful worker and managed his financial affairs in a creditable manner, so that he was able to retire in 1910. He erected the present family home at 1031 East Enterprise Street in1898. He is universally respected wherever he is known and has won many friends. He and his family are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church and in politics he is a Democrat. Children as follows were born to him and his wife: William and James, at home; Edward, of Springfield, married Jennie Cummings; John, of Springfield, married Emma Oger; Thomas, at home, married Sadie Tulley; Marie, Mrs. James Kelly of Springfield; Anna, Mrs. Louis Hornish, of St. Louis; Catherine, at home. Mrs. James Berry died June 3, 1911, at Springfield, Ill.