The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-06-17
HON. PETER BERRY.

The Elmira Telegram of last Sunday
prints very good portrait of Hon. Pet sr
Berry, our Representative, and pays him
the following handsome compliment:
One of the popular and most highly es-
teemed members of the present legisla-
ture is Hon. Peter Berry, the representa-
tive from Forest County, Pa. He is not
a politician and makes no pretense to po-
litical leadership either at homo or in
Harrisburg, but he is nevertheless val
liable and influential legislator. His
training has not been in the school of poll
itics but as the calm, intelligent, level
headed lawmaker he Will take rank with
the best. Modest and retiring in manner
he has not made any effort to be conspic-
uous on the floor of the house, though his
votes have always been upon the right
side and in favor of such legislation as
the people and their interests require.
Unlike many other lawmakers he has de-
voted more time to scanning and under
standing the measures brought before
him than he has to speech making. In a
legislature like the present the member
who has not consumed valuable time in
windy harangues is notable and praise
worthy exception. Mr.. Berry, although
this is his first term, has familiarized him.
self with legislation to a wonderful ex-
tent. With his present experience he is
admirably equipped to better subserve
the wants of his constituents and in IA fu-
ture legislature ne would be OF even
rr s,,
He possesses good judgment, unexcelled
common sense and besides he is loyal
and faithful TO the public. Mr.. Berry was
born in Clarence, Erie county, New York,
April 10, 1876, and educated in the public
schools and at the Fredonia, New York,
academy. He is best described as a self
made man. Until 1868 he was engageI as
farmer in New York state, and in the
great oil excitement of that time migrat-
ed into Pennsylvania determined to
"strike OIL" He succeeded admirably
after many years of trial, and is now q
prominent member of one of the leading
oil producing firms in the state. His ex-
perience in the oil country is interesting
in the extreme. He went there as tool
dresser seventeen years ago, but he is
now heavy producer and somebody
else dresses his tools. He had a brother
interested in the oil wells of the oil re
gion and to him he went to secure work.
In 1870. when the oil excitement over the
Fagundus field was at its height, he went
there and was given charge Of the field
work on his bTother's lands. When the
fever died out in that section he drifted to
California, expecting 10 begin the life of
a miner under Adnah Neyhart, wealthy
oil producer who had gone to San Diago
for his health and where he had also pur-
chased SOME mining property. He ar
rived in the golden state only to find his
friend cold in death and to him was dele
gated the sad duty of bringing home the
remains. He did so, but he never re-
turned to the Pacific coast. He went
prospecting in the oil country again and
in 1876 with several others secured con-
troll of 1.-THE Balltown district then a
perfect wilderness. The land was on
Tionesta creek, twenty miles from anv
railroad. One wildcat well after another
was sunk under Mr.. Berry's direction,
but the oil flowed not. For six years,
until lsS2, he was engaged in developing
the district at an expense of S2S. 900 and
finally his efforts We're rewarded. The
field jumped into importance at once. In
December, lSS2, the famous "Cook No. 80
Spurted and Mr.. Berry and his partners
mad q fortune, the well having yielded
over 2OO,0OO barrels. That we'll was the
key TO what has proved to be one of the
richest OF oil tracts and upon its squirting
excitement increased apace. Had it not
peR}SEpr Mr.. Berry the field might still
]. discovered. His partners attribute
n pesuccess to his perseverance, good
tgment and tenacity of purpose. Over
llree-quarters Of the Balltown district is
owned by Mr.. Borrv's company. In ma
ny ways Mr.. Berry has promoted the in
terests of Forest county and so much
were his efforts appreciated that last fall
he was elected TO the legislature by the
largest majority ever given a candidate
for the same Office. He is an upright,
honest man liked by his people at home,
trusted by all and popular. He is gener-
GUS to fault, the soul of good n lture and
one of the most genial of men. In the
legislature his votes have always been in
accord with his constituents. He was one
OF the warmest supporters of the anti-dis-
elimination bill and stood up as the foe
of all corrupt advances by corporations.
Indeed, he went so far as to introduce a
bill to authorize levy and collection of
taxes for road and school purposes from
telegraph and railroad companies within