Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
Former Ottumwa Pastor Died Sud-
denly in Chicago Tuesday.
HEART FAILURE CAUSE OF DEMISE
Sad Message Received i'll the Form of n
Telegram by Hon William
McNett This Norm
ing.
From Tuesdays Daily.

Dr. Loren Il. Berry. pastor Oh Evan
ston avenue Congregational church,
Chicago, and former pastor of the
First Congregational church in this
city, died very suddenly of heart fail
ure, at his home this morning. The
sad news was received in Ottumwa
early today in the form OF a telegram
from DR.. j. p. Houston to Hon. Will
lam McNett. The friends of the de-
ceased in this city did not know of his
illness. No particulars or announce
ments of the funeral have been re-
ceived. All that is known is embodied
in the following brief telegram:
Chicago, May s, 1900.
william McNett, Ottumwa, Iowa:
DIR. Berry passed away suddenly
this morning of heart failure.
.sDr. j. p. Houston"
The deceased was pastor of the First
Congregational church in Ottumwa for
eight years, and during that time both
he and his family won place in the
heart of every member of the congre-
cation, akin to family ties. DR.. Berry
accomplished great work during his
pastorate here. The membership of
the church was largely increased, and
the work of benevolenca was prosecut-
ed with vigor that resulted in great
good. During the period which he adj
ministered to the spiritual welfare OF
the congregation in this city. its num-
Der was increased by the addition of
240 members, 146 of whom Joined the
church on professions of faith.
For a number of years DR.. Berry
was trustee of Iowa college and
chairman of the executive committee
of the Iowa Home Missionary society.
Recently DR.. Berry was also very IA
vorably spoken of as president of Grin
nell college to succeed DR.. Gates, who
recently resigned.
Loren f. Berry was born in Leeds,
Maine; left fatherless at years of
age, he learned in early boyhood the
lessons of self-reliance that We're of
such value in maturer years. For six
years. from the age of IS, he carried on
his mothers farm, buying and selling,
and meeting the responsibilities of life
as best he knew how. For several
years he attended Monmouth academy,
walking the two and one-half miles
mornings and evenings. When within
six weeks of his majority he left home
to prepare for college at BiGdeford
high school. There, after a few
months he became an assistant teach
er, teaching half of each day, recitng
the remaining hours, and doing all his
studying mornings and evenings.
Mr. Berry entered Bowdin college in
1869, and graduated with credit in the
class of 1878. He then taught the
Brunswick high school one year and
% nj ara1 No1o
1874, where he graduated three years
later. He entered at once upon his
work as pastor at Plantsville, Conn,
an important village church, and re-
manned there for nearly ten years.
In 1878 Mr.. Berry married Miss S.
Louise Coy. professor of mathematics
in Smith college. In 1866, on account
of Mrs. Berry's health, Rev. Berry sew
cred his. connection with the Plants
vile church and removed to Fremont,
Neb., where he remained till his call
TO Ottumwa in 1890. While in Ne
braska Mr.. Berry was deeply interest
ed in the general work of the churches
in that new state, and was for three
years member of the board of direc
tors of the Nebraska Congregational
Home Missionary society. For sim
liar time he was trustee of Doan col
lege. His experience in such worl
opened way to similar responsible
ties in Iowa. But mainly Mr.. Berry's
work was that of preacher and pas
tor. He loved that work above all
others.
DIR. Berry resigned the pastorate OF
the rirst congregational chuch in this
city, July "a, 1898. He remained here
until September IA of the same year
when helremoved to Chicago which has
since been his home.
The deceased leaves wife and two
children, Miss Constance, and Gordon
who have the sympathy of large cir.
Gle of Ottumwa friends in their hours
of bereavement.