My Genealogy Hound

BERRY, W. B., P. O. Clarinda; born April 5, 1827, in the state of Virginia. His parents moved in the fall of that year to Madison county, Ohio, where he received a common school education. He came to Iowa in 1849, settling in Des Moines county. In the spring of 1850 he went overland to California, with ox teams, leaving Burlington, March 5, landing in Ringgold, California, August 10 following, being five months on the road. He at once went to mining and followed that until the spring of 1854, when he returned to the states by water, via New York. On his return he settled in Lewis county, and engaged in the dry goods business at Columbus City, until 1868, when he came to Clarinda and embarked in the hardware business with William Rimer. This firm continued in business until 1873, when they sold out their stock in trade to McDonald Bros. They immediately bought their present site and built the fine store room he now occupies, and put in a general stock of dry goods. The firm continued until February, 1880, when he bought out his partner’s entire interest in the business. He has made all his estate by his own efforts, and a strict attention to business. His stock is one of the largest in town. He was married June 22, 1859, to Miss Elmira Bennett, a native of Ohio. They have a family of seven children: Anna I., Mary E., Arthur L., Charles L., William D., Sallie E., Leonidas V., all living.