My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Hon. John W. Berryman, son of Rev. Jerome C. and Sarah (Cessna) Berryman, was born about fifty miles west of Kansas City (the Indian Territory) in 1839, but was reared principally in Iron County, Mo. He received a good education in the Arcadia High School, and in 1861 enlisted in the First Missouri Volunteers, Confederate States army, and was chosen second lieutenant of Company C. Soon after he was promoted to first lieutenant of Company B, and later to captain of his old company. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Granada, Iuka and Port Hudson. After the consolidation of his regiment he was home recruiting and was taken prisoner and paroled. He then went west and mined gold in California, and also superintended salt works. In 1865 he returned home and engaged in the saw-milling business which he followed for twenty-one years in Iron County. In connection with this he also carried on a store for many years. During his milling career he sawed about thirty million feet of lumber. In 1886 he quit the milling business and located at Osage, where he built a fine dwelling and a good store and other buildings. The name of the place where he resides is called Berryman, in his honor. He owns seven dwellings, a blacksmith shop, 320 acres of land, etc. In 1866 he married Laura A., daughter of Elijah B. and Sarah (Powell) Matthews, who were among the early settlers of this county; Mrs. Berryman was born in the county in 1843. Both she and Mr. Berryman are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Berryman is a Democrat, and for two terms represented Iron County in the State Legislature. He is one of the most stirring and successful business men of Washington County.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 138 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Washington County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.