Cyrus Berry

Portrait and Biographical Album of Peoria County (1890)
Transcribed by Danni Hopkins!

Cyrus L. Berry. The name of C. L. Berry is well known far beyond the limits of Peoria, in which city he makes is home, as that of an efficient public servant and honorable man. During the past four years he has been creditably filling the position of Deputy United States Marshal of the Northern District of Illinois, in the Southern Division. He is a native of the Empire State, born in Ashland, Greene County, February 3, 1834. His parents, Abner and Esther (Merwin) Berry, natives of Maine and New York respectively, had seven children, of whom he is the fourth. Of the four survivors of the household band all remain in the Empire State except our subject. Abner Berry was of English ancestry, and was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He passed to his rest September 10, 1884, leaving the memory of honorable deeds as a heritage to his children.

The boyhood and early manhood of our subject were passed in his native State, and until twenty-two yeas of age he worked with his father in the intervals and after the conclusion of his studies. He then entered an hotel as clerk, continuing to occupy such a position seven years, after which he rented and managed a hotel eight years. In 1870 he removed to Peoria County, Ill., secured land and devoted his attention to tilling the soil for about twelve years. He was then elected Sheriff, and moved into the city. Four years later, in 1886, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal, holding that official station until April, 1890.

The important positions above noted are not the only public offices in which Mr. Berry has served. He was Town Clerk three terms in New York, and was filling the same station in Peoria County when nominated for Sheriff, resigning the minor office when elected to the more arduous position. Prior to that time he had also been serving as Treasurer of the township in which he resided, which office he also resigned on coming to Peoria. Mr. Berry is an ardent Democrat, and has been from the time he cast his first Presidential ballot for James Buchanan in 1856. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, K. of M. and R. M.

On October 29, 1860, Mr. Berry led to the hymeneal altar Miss Mary E. DeNoyells, who, as her maiden name indicates, is of French extraction. She was born October 1, 1836, and possesses all the vivacity which is a conspicuous trait in those of French descent, together with a kindly nature and a spirit of devotion to her home and family. To Mr. and Mrs. Berry six children have been born, tow of whom died in infancy—Clarence D., born July 4, 1861, died July 28, 1884. The living are: Birdsall A., born March 28, 1867; Willie R., October 8, 1868; and Erma A., March 14, 1878.

Elsewhere in this volume the reader will notice a lithographic portrait of Mr. Berry.

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