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James Henderson Berry Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC 100

Scope and Content Note

The material consists of thirty letters written primarily after Berry's retirement from the Senate, including one letter from President William Howard Taft (folder 4). There are also twelve miscellaneous items and seventy-five obituary notices of Berry's death.

Dates

  • 1905-1913

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

James Henderson Berry (15 May 1841 - 30 January 1913), attorney, was born in Jackson County, Alabama. In 1848 his family moved to Carrollton in Carroll County, Arkansas. Berry enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861 and was elected second lieutenant of Company E of the Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry. Wounds he suffered in the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi resulted in his parole from the army. Returning to Arkansas, Berry became the youngest member of the state legislature when elected representative for Carroll County in 1866. He then served as State Representative for Benton and Washington Counties, 1872-1874; Judge for the Fourth Judicial District, 1878-1882; Governor of Arkansas, 1882-1884; and United States Senator, 1885-1907.

In 1906, Berry was defeated for re-election to the Senate by Governor Jeff Davis. Retiring to Bentonville, Berry served on the Arkansas History Commission and was active in the United Confederate Veterans. In 1910 the Secretary of War appointed him commissioner to mark the graves of Confederate soldiers who had died in Union prisons. Berry died in 1913 and was buried in City Cemetery, Bentonville.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by format; correspondence is arranged chronologically.

Acquisition Information

The James Henderson Berry Papers were donated to the Special Collections Department by Mrs. William E. Preston of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Dr. Paige E. Mulhollan of Manhattan, Kansas September 18, 1970.

Processing Information

Processed by Leon C. Miller; completed in February 1986.

Title
James Henderson Berry Papers, 1905 - 1913
Status
Completed
Author
Leon C. Miller
Date
February 1986
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444