The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-10-05
WILLIAM II. BERRY
Brief Sketch Of the Life and
Achievements of the Peoples
Candidate For State
Treasurer.

Democratic nominee for state treas
urer can be briefly written. His life
has been one OF endeavor and achieve
ment. He has been worker from
earliest manhood and whatever of sue
cess he has attained has been the
fruit of his own effort.
Mr. Berry was born in Edwardsville
Illinois, September 8, 1852, and was
educated in the public schools of that
village. He served an apprentice
ship as a machinist In Buffalo, New
York, where he acquired a technical
education in the night schools, giving
his evenings to study after his days
of labor. Upon the completion of his
apprenticeship he served seven years
as a journeyman machinist at the
bench.
In 1874 Mr.. Berry located in Ches
ter, where he had obtained employ
ment as machinist. Subsequently he
worked there as journeyman, assist
ant foreman and foreman for II years
during which time he invented several
labor-saving devices, some of which
have proved profitable as well as
useful
In 1902 Mr.. Berry established a
plant OF his own in Chester for the
manufacture of steam specialties. un.
der the title Of the Berry Engineering
company. He became president and
general manager Of that company, and
incidentally, as its title invited be.
came consulting engineer of several
large manufacturing plants in Chester
and adjacent cities and towns.
Mr.. Berry Is essentially a self-made
man. From the proceeds of his labor
and the fruits of his inventive achieve.
ments he has enjoyed during recent
years sufficient income to properly ed.
ucate his children and create for his
family comfortable home One of his
sons has been schooled in the sciences
sufficiently to take his place in the fac
tory and another is serving honorably
as lieutenant in the Marine Corps of
the United States navy.
Mr.. Berry joined the Methodist
church in 1876 and was made local
preacher in 1879. He has preached ac-
ceptably and with advantage to the
church in all the churches in the vicin-
ity of his home. He lectures frequently
on scientific and economic subjects
and is actively identified with all the
charitable and philanthropic move
ments in the city in which he lives.
In politics Mr.. Berry Is disciple
of Thomas Jefferson, and though ad-
verse to holding Office has always been
faithful to civic obligations and active
in public affairs. He has served in
the Councils and School Board of his
adopted home with great satisfaction
to the people.
The first political office ever held by
Mr.. Berry was that in which he is now
in commission. The city of Chester had
been ring ridden far beyond the limit
of peaceful endurance for many years,
and public protests were literally
laughed down. Last spring, however,
the people determined to make one
great effort at rescue. and the Demo-
Gratis nominated Mr.. Berry for Mayor.
The prospect Of success was not promis-
ing when he was notified that the
honor had been bestowed upon him.
At the November election previously.
Roosevelt had nearly 5000 majority out
of a total vote of a little more than
10000, and in order to win, therefore,
1t was necessary that he should get
all the Democrats, every Prohibition
list in the city and nearly half the Re-
publicans. Most men would have been
appalled, at such a condition, but it
didn't frighten him. He accepted the
nomination, and promptly set about to
secure the election. After the most
exciting contest in the history of the
city, the vote resulted in a substantial
majority for Mr.. Berry.
And he has made good" During the
campaign Mr. Berry declared that In
the event Of his election the iniquities
which were disgracing the city should
cease. Just as he asserts now, that if
he Is elected State Treasurer the graft
In the finances of the state will be
stopped, so he said then that il elected
Mayor the gambling dens, speak-eases
and vice resorts should be eliminated
from the life of the city. That pledge
has been fulfilled, moreover. The mo-
ment he entered upon the duties of the
Office he set himself to the task OF full
filling his promise and found 1t ex-
ceedingly easy of achievement.
Probably no man in Pennsylvania