Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-23
ny q. WATSON LANES. J,.


The death OF Benjamin II. Berry
80 long the commissioner IN chan.
cory. two weeks ago las, Saturday,
marks the passing OF a gentleman
~ the old school: n lawyer or splen-
DID attalnmcnts ard one OF the finest
authorities on Vingihna. the Bible
and historical matters IN general,
that the old Dominion has numbered
among her sons. His demise also
brings back viv!dly that grca, dis-
astcr that betelI Richmond and the
state when In 1870 the Capitol col
iapsed. snurinr out the lives OF many
great Virgin!ans.
, ,,o: M159r" berry berry; MS he WAS attee-
lawyer OF the Richmond bar. was
}oorn October 20, 1915. al Warren
/ton, In Fauquler County. and was the
ron OF BENJAMIN IL. Berry and Mary
Garland Anderson. His father was
OF the state and was of such value
10 the Confederate government in n
confidential capacity that he was
sompeiied to seek refuge In Char
iottesville when the Union armies
approached Alexandria. where the
family was then living. In fact, a
rrice was set ON his head by the
Fedcrals.
Entered the University.
Following in the footsteps of his
father young Berry at II years of
gaia 10 study law just prior 10 the
w.r When the struggle commenced
he joined his brother. w. W. Berry.
~ bedford city. and with him en-
listed In the First Virginia Regi-
ment. Company {, Confederate Cav
airy, commanded by Captain step
toe. This brot her. II Is interesting
10 note. WAS chaplain of that reSi-
ment. and after leaving the ministry
represented the. county for many
years In the Legislature.
After serving some two years with
TINS regiment, the subject OF this
sketch was detailed on account of
eminent qualifications by Governor
Extra" Billy Smith. under an act
the clerks Office OF the Circuit Court
az Charlottesville and the County
Court OF Albemarlc, in addition to
being clerk in the quartermaster.s
was due in measure also TO the
condition of his health and the fact
that all the clerks had been drafted
for service. leaving the courts help
less in this respect.
With the collapse OF the Southern
cause Mr.. Berry re-entered the uni
Scrsity to complete his course which
he covered in two and half years,
including his studies before the war.
While a student, owing to the fam
lily having lost everything, he ac-
c-pted the position as boollkceper in
!, butcher shop to dcfray his expenses
IT college and supported his parents,
who We're both in feeble health.
Began Practice Here.
Nothing daunted. in 1866 he moved
and here was admitted 10 the bar.
and with his father commenced to
practice under the firm name of b. III.
Berry & Son. locating at Eleventh
and Rank Streets. where his office
Reading over the files OF the Rich
mond Dispatch the other day the
writer came across this notice In the
Issue Of May 80, 1865: which is OF
interest at this period OF Mr. Berry's
career.
at Inc great Conservative meet
ing IN Marshall Ward night before
last. attended by the biggest crowd
Vet. stirring speeches We're made by
and it WAS hard for the hearers to
determine which made the better
speech--father or SON."
Later on In the same paper of June
10. 1865. we read that he was sched-
ulcd to speak at a grand Marshall
r. Daniel. Marmaduke johnson and
J. Fl. Gilmer, Jr. |
Upon the establishment OF the
Chancery Court OF this city, in 1870
he was unanimously supported by the |
bar of Richmond for the position of !
Judge of that court, but being young |
lie retired In favor of Judge Edward |
II. Fitzhush. but was elected ut the |
same time TO the position of clerk
OF the court. which position he filled |
for eighteen years.
In Capitol Disnsfer.
on that memorable day. April OF
1870, IL VIII be remembered that the
writ of habeas corpus of Arch. DYER
and ]. H. Bell, held nnlawfuilx Inv
III. *. Ellyson; representing himself
as. Mayor OF Richmond,.,a SEIZED.
mled for decision In the Supreme
Court, which occupied room in the
Capitol Building; on the northeast
corner. third floor. Just above the hall
OF the House of Delegates. The
prominence of the case had attracted
nm Immense crowd OF people in the
gallery Of the court. which gallerv
sellsupon tho courtroom proper. md
h portion OF this. inst,rn. fell upon
the Legislnture. then {ingBession. = =
MI Kerry was IN thes court at tho
tlu1at and his u description of his texs
perianee !. wa so vivid, 4 that ,;lio WAS
'on,psiieds 20 repeat it scores OF times