BERRY, Charles M. - 1913 - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Charles M. Berry, for years a conspicuous figure in the newspaper world, died Wednesday about 1:15 p.m., with paralysis of the heart, at his home on north Main street. Mr. Berry has been gradually failing in health for the last six months and just recently sold the Veedersburg News, of which he has been Editor and Publisher for more than 24 years, to Oliver W. McGaughey and Ernest E. Baker, intending, as soon as he got his business affairs straightened up to go to Southern California, hoping there in that warm climate of sunshine and flowers to regain his health. For the last 10 days Mr. Berry had been unable to come down town; and on last Sunday night he suffered greatly with hemorrhages and it was thought at that time he would not live through the night. Dr. C. B. McCord and Dr. W H. ?oss, and also his wife and mother were at his bedside when the passed away. He leaves his aged mother, who resides at Waynetown, his wife Beatrice and his son James Elsworth to mourn his departure from this life. Charles M. Berry was born at Waynetown, Indiana, March 8th, 1863. He is the son of Dr. James A. and Nancy A. (Murray) Berry, natives of Montgomery and Fountain counties, respectively, each representing sturdy old families, the Berrys having come originally from Virginia. David Berry, the parental grandfather of the subject of this review, made the long overland journey from the old dominion to Montgomery county, Indiana, in pioneer days and there spent the rest of his life engaged in general farming, and there James A. Berry, father of the subject, grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools. Early in life he determined upon a medical course, and with that end in view he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, Illinois, where he was graduated. He practiced his profession with pronounced success in his native locality and there spent the rest of his life, dying in the year 1865. Charles M. Berry was educated in the common school, later attending the Ladoga normal school and Wabash college, the latter at Crawfordsville, Indiana. He entered the field of journalism early in life. He first found employment as a reported and in this capacity he worked on the papers at Crawfordsville, Ladoga and Waynetown, and being energetic and having a decided natural bent as a news writer he was successful from the first and gave much promise of future eminence in his chosen field of endeavor. Mr. Berry came to Veedersburg in 1889 and established the News, which he has since edited and published. It has had a steady growth and has constantly widened its influence and increased its circulation until it is now a very valuable advertising medium and a recognized moulder of public opinion in this section of the state. The News, under Mr. Berry’s management, has furnished without fear or favor the news of the community and has been quoted more than any other paper in this part of the country. The paper has always been an aggressive factor in the community, advocating needed reforms and public improvements. It has put Veedersburg on the map as the Hub of Fountain county and as to the street fair movement the “Daddy of them all.” Charles M. Berry was married first in 1892 to Lottie M. Mitchell, daughter of Robert Mitchell and wife, of Kokomo, Indiana. Her death occurred January 5th, 1911. Subsequently in that year Mr. Berry married Beatrice Howard, daughter of Elmer Howard and wife, of Attica, Indiana. Mr. Berry has one son, James Elsworth Berry. Politically Mr. Berry was a Jeffersonian democrat, but as an editor and publisher he has always been Independent, advocating men and principles rather than party. And regardless of politics Mr. Berry has always been true to his friends and has given them loyal support when ever they were seeking political office whether in the city of county. The citizens of Veedersburg and Fountain county owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Berry because of his fearlessness in reporting the news and because of his undying devotion and loyalty to his community and county. Funeral services were held at the house Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock conducted by Rev. Charles Howard. The Masons pronounced the ritualistic ceremony of that Lodge over the body and escorted it to the Big Four depot. Friday at 10:30 o’clock a.m. a service was held in the Baptist church at Waynetown and Rev. Henson delivered the sermon. The body was laid to rest in the Waynetown cemetery. – jlr