James Henderson Berry

The Honorable James Henderson Berry
14th Governor of Arkansas
In office January 13, 1883 – January 17, 1885
Preceded by	Thomas James Churchill
Succeeded by	Simon Pollard Hughes, Jr.
United States Senator from Arkansas
In office March 20, 1885 – March 3, 1907
Preceded by	Augustus H. Garland
Succeeded by	Jeff Davis
Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives
In office 1873
Preceded by	Charles W. Tankersley
Succeeded by	A. A. Pennington
Personal details
Born	May 15, 1841 Jackson County, Alabama
Died	Bentonville, Arkansas
Political party	Democratic
Military service
Service/branch	Confederate States Army
Unit	16th Arkansas Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

A 1908 monument in homage to James H. Berry and the Southern Soldier, located in the town square of Bentonville, Arkansas

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.

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: daughters Nellie Frank, Berl, Jennie, and Bessie; and sons Elliott and Frederick Hugh.

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.

External links

• James Henderson Berry at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: James Henderson Berry
• 1905 Full Portrait
• National Governors Association

Political offices
Preceded by Thomas James Churchill	Governor of Arkansas 1883–1885	Succeeded by Simon Pollard Hughes, Jr.
United States Senate
Preceded by Augustus H. Garland	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Arkansas 1885–1907 Served alongside: James K. Jones, James P. Clarke	Succeeded by Jeff Davis