Succeeded by A. A. Pennington Preceded by Augustus H. Garland Name James Berry | Succeeded by Jeff Davis Spouse E.Q. Quaile (m. 1865) Party Democratic Party | |
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Succeeded by Simon Pollard Hughes, Jr. Role Former United States Senator Died January 30, 1913, Bentonville, Arkansas, United States | ||
Preceded by Thomas James Churchill Previous office Senator (AR) 1885–1907 Service/branch Confederate States Army Preceded by Charles W. Tankersley Battles and wars American Civil War | ||
James Henderson Berry (May 15, 1841 – January 30, 1913) was a United States Senator and served as the 14th Governor of the State of Arkansas.
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Biography
Berry was born in Jackson County, Alabama to Isabella Jane (née Orr) and James McFerrin Berry. The family moved to Arkansas in 1848. Berry attended Berryville Academy in Berryville, Arkansas for one year. The Academy was named after his family.
Berry studied law and in 1866 was admitted to the Arkansas bar.
In 1865, Berry married E.Q. "Lizzie" Quaile. They had six children.
Career
At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Berry joined the Confederate Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with the 16th Arkansas Infantry Regiment. Berry lost his right leg during the Second Battle of Corinth in northern Mississippi. After recuperating from his wound he worked as a school teacher and started a private law practice.
Berry was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1866. He was reelected in 1872 and in 1874. In his last term he was selected to be Speaker of the House. Berry was the chairman of the Democratic State Convention in 1876. In 1878 he became a judge for the Fourth Circuit Court and served in that post until 1882 when he was elected Governor of Arkansas.
The Berry administration focused on reducing the state debt and creating a State Mental Hospital. Berry did not run for reelection.
In March 1885, Berry was selected by the legislature to fill the unexpired term of Senator Augustus Hill Garland. Berry remained in the U.S. Senate for the next 22 years. In 1910, he accepted a position with the Arkansas History Commission to mark the graves of all Arkansas Confederate soldiers who had died in northern prisons.
Death
James H. Berry died in Bentonville, Arkansas. Berry is buried at the Knights of Pythias Cemetery (now known as the Bentonville Cemetery), Bentonville, Arkansas.